How to remove software that generates redirects to explorespot.io

What kind of website is explorespot.io?

Explorespot.io is a website classed as a fake search engine. We discovered this page while analyzing a browser hijacker named Explore Spot.

This browser extension is endorsed as a tool for improving the browsing experience. Instead, Explore Spot alters browser settings to promote (through redirects) the explorespot.io illegitimate search engine.

Explore Spot browser hijacker overview

Browser hijackers modify browser settings (e.g., default search engines, homepages, new browser tabs/windows, etc.). Due to these modifications, users may be forced to visit the endorsed websites whenever they open a new browser tab/window or search the Web via the URL bar.

In the case of Explore Spot, the redirects land on the explorespot.io webpage. Usually, fake search engines cannot provide search results and redirect to genuine Internet search sites.

Explorespot.io leads users to boyu.com.tr – which is also a fraudulent search engine. While boyu.com.tr can generate search results, they are inaccurate and can include sponsored, untrustworthy, deceptive, and possibly malicious content. Note that explorespot.io might land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation might influence redirects.

Browser-hijacking software often utilizes persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent browser recovery. Explore Spot uses the "Managed by your organization" Google Chrome feature for this purpose.

Furthermore, this rogue extension likely spies on users' browsing activity, as data-tracking functionalities are standard for browser hijackers. Targeted information may include: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, browser cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The gathered information can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

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

Threat Summary:

Name	Explore Spot
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Explore Spot
Supposed Functionality	Improved browsing experience
Promoted URL	explorespot.io
Detection Names (explorespot.io)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (explorespot.io)	172.67.166.138
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 investigated thousands of browser hijackers; SerachMates, Gaming News Tab, Energy Pro Tab, and Anime Nook are just some of our latest articles on this software. It typically appears harmless and offers various features. However, browser-hijacking software seldom operates as advertised since all its functionalities are merely lures to trick users into downloading/installing.

It must be emphasized that even if a browser extension or application operates exactly as indicated by its promotional material – that alone does not prove legitimacy or safety.

How did Explore Spot install on my computer?

Browser hijackers can have "official" promotional pages, and they are pushed through scam websites. Users mainly access such webpages via redirects caused by sites employing rogue advertising networks, intrusive adverts, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, and installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can be bundled with regular programs as well. Downloading from freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, and other suspicious sources – carries the threat of bundled content infiltrating the system. The risk is further compounded by treating installation processes with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Some intrusive advertisements can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform sneaky downloads/installations. These ads are also used to proliferate rogue software.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/trustworthy channels. Installation processes must be treated with caution, e.g., by reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, etc.

We also advise vigilance while browsing since fake and dangerous online content usually appears genuine and innocuous. For example, intrusive advertisements may look harmless – yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., pornography, adult dating, scam-promoting, gambling, etc.).

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

Appearance of explorespot.io redirecting to the boyu.com.tr fake search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by Explore Spot 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 Explore Spot?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Explore Spot browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove explorespot.io homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove explorespot.io redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Explore Spot 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.

Explore Spot browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Explore Spot 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 "Explore Spot" 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 "Explore Spot", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.explorespot.io) 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 "explorespot.io", 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 explore spot browser hijacker, 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 "Explore Spot", 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 "Explore Spot", remove hxxp://explorespot.io 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 explore spot browser hijacker 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 explore spot browser hijacker, 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 to visit explorespot.io website?

Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) generate revenue through redirects to websites like explorespot.io.

Is visiting explorespot.io a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites classified as fake search engines (e.g., explorespot.io, boyu.com.tr, etc.) typically gather information about their visitors. This data can then be sold to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser-hijacking software is primarily distributed via deceptive promotional pages, bundled installation setups, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Explore Spot browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate all browser-hijacking applications that are present. Manual removal (performed without the aid of security tools) might not be an ideal solution. In cases where multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software may be capable of restricting access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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