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How to remove Pure MathCalc Hub browser hijacker

Also Known As: search.calculator-tool.online redirect
Damage level: Medium

What kind of application is Pure MathCalc Hub?

Upon evaluation, it was determined that the Pure MathCalc Hub application functions as a browser hijacker, compelling users to utilize a counterfeit search engine. This software achieves browser hijacking by altering browser settings. It is advisable to promptly remove browser extensions like Pure MathCalc Hub to mitigate potential risks.

search.calculator-tool.online browser hijacker

Pure MathCalc Hub browser hijacker overview

Once Pure MathCalc Hub is added to a browser, it replaces the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page with search.calculator-tool.online. Thus, users are directed to this website whenever they open the affected browser or enter search queries. However, despite appearing as a separate search engine, using search.calculator-tool.online ultimately redirects users to bing.com.

Because search.calculator-tool.online lacks the capability to generate search results independently, it is classified as a fake search engine. Fake search engines pose risks as they may compromise user privacy and security. Despite redirecting users to reputable search providers like Bing or Google, these engines may collect user search queries and browsing data.

Malicious actors may sell or share this data with third parties, exacerbating the risk of exploitation and misuse. Also, fake search engines often display deceptive advertisements or sponsored links, which can mislead users into visiting unreliable pages. This increases the risk of encountering malware or becoming a victim of online scams.

Overall, the lack of transparency, potential for data misuse, and heightened risk of encountering harmful content make fake search engines untrustworthy and unsafe for users to use.

Threat Summary:
Name Pure MathCalc Hub
Threat Type Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s) Pure MathCalc Hub
Supposed Functionality Elevated browsing experience
Promoted URL search.calculator-tool.online
Detection Names (search.calculator-tool.online) N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (search.calculator-tool.online) 88.198.23.190
Affected Browser Settings Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Symptoms Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers.
Damage Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)

To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner.
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Conclusion

In summary, fake search engines and browser hijackers present various risks to online safety and privacy. Users must identify and avoid deceptive tools like search.calculator-tool.online and Pure MathCalc Hub to safeguard themselves against scams and security breaches. More examples of browser hijackers promoting fake search engines are A Quote A Day, Currency Converter Tab, and Snow New Tab.

How did Pure MathCalc Hub install on my computer?

Browser hijackers are frequently installed by users unknowingly as part of bundled software packages. These packages often include browser hijackers as additional offers, which users may inadvertently agree to during the installation process if they overlook or rush through the setup steps.

Moreover, users can also fall victim to browser hijackers through deceptive advertisements or pop-ups, such as fake notifications or warnings, which trick them into clicking and triggering automatic downloads and installations of the hijacking software onto their devices.

Additionally, browser hijackers may be unwittingly added or installed through downloads from third-party app stores, peer-to-peer networks, dubious pages, and other unreliable sources.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

To minimize the risk of inadvertently installing unwanted apps, stick to downloading software from reputable sources like official app stores and trusted websites. During installations, use "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings to prevent the installation of bundled apps that may be included in installers.

Additionally, exercise caution when encountering ads, pop-ups, and similar elements during internet browsing to avoid inadvertently triggering unexpected installations. Ensure your operating system, web browsers, and security software are regularly updated, and consider using a reliable security tool to conduct periodic system scans for added protection against potential threats.

If your computer is already infected with Pure MathCalc Hub, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Search.calculator-tool.online redirects to bing.com (GIF):

Pure MathCalc Hub browser hijacker search.calculator-tool.online redirects to bing.com

Permissions asked by Pure MathCalc Hub browser hijacker:

Pure MathCalc Hub browser hijacker asking for permissions

Website promoting Pure MathCalc Hub browser hijacker:

Website used to promote Pure MathCalc Hub browser hijacker

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Quick menu:

Pure MathCalc Hub browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

search.calculator-tool.online browser hijacker uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the search.calculator-tool.online website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Pure MathCalc Hub browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Pure MathCalc Hub browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing search.calculator-tool.online related Google Chrome extensions

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Pure MathCalc Hub" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Removing search.calculator-tool.online from Google Chrome homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Pure MathCalc Hub", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.calculator-tool.online) below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".

Change your default search engine:

Removing search.calculator-tool.online from Google Chrome default search engine

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "search.calculator-tool.online", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.calculator-tool.online redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing search.calculator-tool.online related Mozilla Firefox extensions

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Pure MathCalc Hub", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Removing search.calculator-tool.online from Mozilla Firefox homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Pure MathCalc Hub", remove hxxp://search.calculator-tool.online and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

Removing search.calculator-tool.online from Mozilla Firefox default search engine

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the Mozilla Firefox switch about:config entry button button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with search.calculator-tool.online redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

removing browser hijacker from safari step 2 - removing extensions

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 3 - changing homepage

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

removing browser hijackers from safari step 4 - changing the default Internet search engine

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 2

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 3

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon Microsoft Edge (Chromium) puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.calculator-tool.online redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of browser hijackers while downloading free software sampleA browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users visit search.calculator-tool.online website?

The purpose of forcing users to visit a website like search.calculator-tool.online, which is a fake search engine, is likely to exploit the traffic for monetization purposes through various means.

Is visiting search.calculator-tool.online a threat to my privacy?

Visiting search.calculator-tool.online may threaten your privacy due to potential data collection, malware risks, phishing scams, and invasive ads.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers typically infiltrate browsers through deceptive software installations bundled with other programs or browser extensions, unreliable advertisements, third-party app stores or downloaders, shady pages, and similar channels.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Pure MathCalc Hub browser hijacker?

Combo Cleaner can scan your computer and get rid of any browser-hijacking apps. Manually removing them might not work well, especially if there are multiple hijackers capable of reinstalling each other. In such cases, they must be removed all at once.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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