How to remove Colour Picker browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is Colour Picker?
Upon examining the Colour Picker application, we noticed typical traits of a browser hijacker. Colour Picker modifies browser settings to promote a specific web address. In addition to hijacking browsers, Colour Picker might various information. Thus, it is recommended to avoid adding Colour Picker to browsers.
Colour Picker browser hijacker overview
Colour Picker executes browser hijacking by setting honline-src.com as the homepage, default search engine, and new tab page. This extension compels users to land on honline-src.com upon opening their browser or new tab and conducting searches using the hijacked browser. Our investigation revealed that honline-src.com is a counterfeit search engine.
When users input a search query, they are redirected from honline-src.com to bing.com. This means that instead of getting results from honline-src.com, users are presented with results from a reliable search engine. While Bing's search results can be relied upon, it is advisable to steer clear of engaging with search engines like honline-src.com.
Search results obtained via or from fake search engines may expose users to a range of online threats, including malware infections and various scams (e.g., phishing and technical support scams). Thus, it s crucial for users to exercise caution and avoid using fake search engines to mitigate these risks effectively.
Browser hijackers such as Colour Picker often gather browsing-related data, including search queries, browsing history, clicked links, IP addresses, geolocation data, etc. In some cases, they may even access more sensitive personal information, which could be exploited for malicious intents. Therefore, users should remain cautious and vigilant when dealing with hijacking applications.
Name | Colour Picker |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Browser Extension(s) | Colour Picker |
Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
Promoted URL | honline-src.com |
Detection Names (honline-src.com) | Bfore.Ai PreCrime (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address (honline-src.com) | 65.8.243.76 |
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. |
Apps of this type in general
Browser hijackers are notorious for their ability to tamper with browser settings, redirecting users to fake search engines or other unreliable sites. Additionally, they often collect browsing data to tailor advertisements or sell to third parties, compromising user privacy. These intrusive behaviors can not only degrade browser performance but also expose users to potentially malicious content.
Examples of browser hijackers are Wild Life, Dragon Angel, and Dragon Search Solutions.
How did Colour Picker install on my computer?
Unwanted apps and browser extensions frequently find their way onto users' systems through deceptive practices like bundling. This tactic involves packaging software with other, often unwanted programs. Users inadvertently install or add these extras by overlooking checkboxes or settings during installations.
Moreover, misleading advertisements or pop-ups can trick users into downloading or installing (or adding) dubious extensions. Downloading files or apps from peer-to-peer networks, third-party app stores, dubious websites, and similar sources can also result in the installation of unwanted software.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
To steer clear of unwanted applications and browser extensions, stick to downloading software exclusively from reputable sources like official websites or app stores. When installing new programs, pay close attention to each step and decline any offers for extra software or browser add-ons.
Exercise caution when encountering deceptive ads or pop-ups, avoiding clicking on them altogether. Keeping your antivirus software up to date can also provide an added layer of protection against unwanted installations. Lastly, periodically review the list of installed programs and browser extensions on your system, uninstalling any that you no longer need or do not recognize.
If your computer is already infected with Colour Picker, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Honline-src.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Colour Picker browser hijacker:
Website promoting Colour Picker browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is Colour Picker?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Colour Picker application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Colour Picker browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove honline-src.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove honline-src.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Colour Picker 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 honline-src.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Colour Picker browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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 "Colour Picker" 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 "Colour Picker", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.honline-src.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 "honline-src.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 honline-src.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 "Colour Picker", 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 "Colour Picker", remove hxxp://honline-src.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 honline-src.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 honline-src.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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit honline-src.com website?
The primary objective behind redirecting users to the honline-src.com website is often to drive traffic to it. This can serves multiple purposes, including enhancing the site's online visibility, elevating its ranking on search engines, or directing users towards specific content or ads. Additionally, such redirections might be orchestrated to gather valuable user data.
Is visiting honline-src.com a threat to my privacy?
Accessing honline-src.com could compromise your privacy as this fraudulent search engine may be able to harvest browsing-related data and even more personal details.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers often gain access to browsers through a variety of deceptive means, including bundled software packages, peer-to-peer networks, misleading pop-ups or advertisements, third-party app stores, deceptive websites, etc. These tactics exploit users' trust or lack of awareness, leading to unintended installations.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Colour Picker browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner provides comprehensive scans of computers, efficiently identifying and eliminating browser-hijacking applications. Unlike manual removal methods, which may struggle, especially when dealing with multiple hijackers capable of reinstalling each other, Combo Cleaner offers a thorough solution by simultaneously removing unwanted apps.
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