How to remove the Wild Life browser hijacker and the redirects it generates

What kind of software is Wild Life?

While investigating untrustworthy websites, our research team discovered the Wild Life browser extension. This piece of software promises to display nature-themed browser wallpapers.

However, Wild Life makes changes to browser settings in order to endorse (via redirects) the ucfmyquest.com fake search engine. This extension also collects sensitive user information. Due to this behavior, Wild Life is classed as a browser hijacker.

Wild Life browser hijacker overview

Typically, browser-hijacking software makes alterations to browsers' default search engines, new tabs/windows, and homepages. Due to these modifications, users may be forced to visit the promoted website whenever they enter a search query into the URL bar and/or open a new browser tab/window. Wild Life endorses the ucfmyquest.com page in this fashion.

Fake search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to genuine Internet search sites. Ucfmyquest.com lands on the Bing search engine (bing.com). However, it could lead elsewhere since factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.

It is pertinent to mention that browser hijackers often rely on persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate removal and prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Wild Life spies on users' browsing activity, and this is standard behavior for browser-hijacking software. Targeted data may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, etc. The gathered data can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of software like Wild Life on devices may result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Wild Life
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Wild Life
Supposed Functionality	Nature-themed browser wallpapers
Promoted URL	ucfmyquest.com
Detection Names (ucfmyquest.com)	Criminal IP (Phishing), SOCRadar (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (ucfmyquest.com)	143.204.29.126
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).
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Browser hijacker examples

We have examined numerous browser hijackers; Dragon Angel, Dragon Search Solutions, Pure MathCalc Hub, CleanHub Tabs, and City Weather Forecast Hub are just some of our latest finds.

Software within this classification typically appears harmless and offers useful functionalities/widgets. However, browser hijackers seldom operate as advertised, and in most cases – the promised features do not work at all.

It must be emphasized even if a browser extension or application functions exactly as indicated by its promotional material – that is not irrefutable proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Wild Life install on my computer?

We obtained Wild Life from its "official" promotional page. Aside from such legitimate-looking sites, browser hijackers are endorsed by scam webpages. Primary points of access to these pages include redirects generated by websites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive adverts, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, and installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with regular programs. The threat of unintentionally permitting access for bundled content into the device is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.).

Intrusive ads proliferate browser hijackers as well. When clicked on, some of the advertisements can execute scripts to perform sneaky downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We recommend researching software before downloading or purchasing it. Additionally, all downloads must be made from official and verified sources. When installing, it is essential to study terms and options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all supplementary apps, extensions, features, etc.

We also advise vigilance while browsing, as fraudulent and dangerous online content usually appears genuine and harmless. For example, despite their ordinary/innocuous appearance – intrusive adverts redirect to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with such ads/redirects, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Wild Life, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of ucfmyquest.com redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by Wild Life browser hijacker:

Website promoting Wild Life browser hijacker:

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is Wild Life?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Wild Life browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove ucfmyquest.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove ucfmyquest.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Wild Life browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

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:

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:

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:

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.

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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Wild Life browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Wild Life browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

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

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Wild Life", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.ucfmyquest.com) 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:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the 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 "ucfmyquest.com", 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 ucfmyquest.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the 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.

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

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

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

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

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Wild Life", remove hxxp://ucfmyquest.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your 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 button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ucfmyquest.com redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

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

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

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

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

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

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

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.

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...

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

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge 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:

Click the Edge 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:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge 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 near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ucfmyquest.com redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

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.

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

Summary:

A 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on ucfmyquest.com redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit ucfmyquest.com website?

Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) generate revenue through redirects to webpages like ucfmyquest.com.

Is visiting ucfmyquest.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like ucfmyquest.com usually collect (and sell) visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most widely used proliferation methods include: deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installation setups, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Wild Life browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. It is noteworthy that manual removal (performed without security tools) might be ineffective, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be inaccessible when this software is installed. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

▼ Show Discussion