How to remove Outer Space browser hijacker

What kind of application is Outer Space?

In our analysis of the Outer Space application, we identified characteristics typical of a browser hijacker. Once added, Outer Space alters the browser settings to promote a particular web address. Alongside browser hijacking, Outer Space may collect browsing-related and other pertinent information.

Outer Space browser hijacker overview

Outer Space performs browser hijacking by making outerspace-ext.com the homepage, default search engine, and new tab page. This extension forces users to visit outerspace-ext.com when they open their browser (or new tab) and enter search queries using the hijacked browser. We found that outerspace-ext.com is a fake search engine.

Upon entering a search query, users are redirected from outerspace-ext.com to bing.com. It means that instead of seeing results generated by outerspace-ext.com, users receive search results from a legitimate search engine. Although search results from Bing can be trusted, interacting with search engines like outerspace-ext.com should be avoided.

The credibility and reliability of search results obtained through fake search engines may be questionable, raising concerns about the accuracy and legitimacy of the information provided. Also, users may be vulnerable to various online threats such as malware infections, phishing scams, or data breaches.

Furthermore, interacting with lesser-known or suspicious search engines could compromise user privacy and data security. These platforms may collect and track user information without consent, leading to privacy violations and potential misuse of personal data. In order to avoid that, it is advisable to stick to reputable and well-established search engines.

It is worth noting that browser hijackers like Outer Space typically collect browsing-related information such as search queries, browsing history, clicked links, IP addresses, geolocation data, and information about other browser extensions. Sometimes, they can access more personal data which can be misused for malicious purposes.

Threat Summary:

Name	Outer Space
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Outer Space
Supposed Functionality	Improved browsing experience
Promoted URL	outerspace-ext.com
Detection Names (outerspace-ext.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (outerspace-ext.com)	172.67.147.125
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. ▼ 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 hijackers in general

Browser hijackers often share several common characteristics, including altering browser settings without user consent, redirecting web searches to unfamiliar or sponsored websites, and gathering browsing data to serve targeted ads or sell to third parties.

They may also decrease browser performance and compromise user privacy and security by exposing them to potentially harmful or malicious content. Some examples of other apps that function as browser hijackers are Wild Life, Dragon Angel, and Dragon Search Solutions.

How did Outer Space install on my computer?

Users often unknowingly install unwanted apps or add unwanted extensions to their browsers through deceptive techniques such as bundling. Bundling involves packaging software with additional, often unwanted, software or extensions. During the installation process, users may overlook checkboxes or prompts that indicate the inclusion of these extra components.

Additionally, users may encounter misleading advertisements or pop-ups that prompt them to download or install extensions, disguising them as useful tools or software updates. Downloading files or apps from P2P networks, third-party app stores, shady pages, and similar sources can also lead to unwanted installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

It is essential to download applications only from trusted sources, such as official pages or app stores. During the installation process, users should carefully read each step and opt out of any additional software or browser extensions that are offered. Additionally, users should be wary of deceptive advertisements or pop-ups and refrain from clicking on them.

Maintaining up-to-date antivirus software can also help detect and prevent the installation of unwanted apps. Finally, regularly reviewing the list of installed programs and browser extensions and uninstalling any that are unnecessary or unfamiliar can help keep systems clean and free from unwanted software.

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

Outerspace-ext.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):

Permissions asked by Outer Space browser hijacker:

Website promoting Outer Space 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 Outer Space?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Outer Space application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Outer Space browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove outerspace-ext.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove outerspace-ext.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Outer Space 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 (which cause browser redirects to the outerspace-ext.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Outer Space browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Outer Space 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 "Outer Space" 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 "Outer Space", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.outerspace-ext.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 "outerspace-ext.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 outerspace-ext.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 "Outer Space", 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 "Outer Space", remove hxxp://outerspace-ext.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 outerspace-ext.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 outerspace-ext.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 outerspace-ext.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 visit outerspace-ext.com website?

The purpose of forcing users to visit outerspace-ext.com is to generate traffic to the site. This could be for various reasons, such as increasing the site's visibility, boosting its search engine ranking, or driving users towards certain content or advertisements hosted on the site. In some cases, it may also be part of a larger scheme to collect user data.

Is visiting outerspace-ext.com a threat to my privacy?

Visiting outerspace-ext.com might pose a threat to your privacy. This fake search engine may collect browsing-related information, such as your search queries, browsing history, and IP address. While this data collection is typically used for advertising purposes, there is always a risk that sensitive information could be mishandled or shared with third parties without your consent.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers commonly infiltrate browsers through software bundles, deceptive pop-ups or ads, third-party app stores, peer-to-peer networks, misleading websites, and third-party downloaders.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Outer Space browser hijacker?

Combo Cleaner thoroughly scans computers and removes browser-hijacking applications more effectively than manual methods (especially when dealing with multiple hijackers that can reinstall each other).

▼ Show Discussion