Removing software that causes redirects to animal-lover-extension.com

What kind of website is animal-lover-extension.com?

Animal-lover-extension.com is a fake search engine that we found while analyzing the Animal Lover Extension. This browser extension promises to allow users to customize their new browser tabs with wallpapers featuring their favorite animals.

Instead, Animal Lover Extension hijacks browsers by modifying their settings to promote (via redirects) the animal-lover-extension.com illegitimate search engine.

Animal Lover Extension browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software makes modifications to browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tabs/windows. Due to these alterations, users can be redirected to promoted sites whenever they open a new browser tab/window or enter a search query into the URL bar. Animal Lover Extension generates redirects that land on the animal-lover-extension.com page.

Browser hijackers usually endorse fake search engines, and Animal Lover Extension is no exception. These websites are rarely capable of providing search results, so they land on legitimate search engines. At the time of research, animal-lover-extension.com led to the Bing search engine (bing.com). Note that it could land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation might impact redirects.

Software within this classification commonly uses persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as denying access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to prevent users from restoring their browsers.

Most browser hijackers spy on users' browsing activity, and Animal Lover Extension may have such data-tracking functionalities as well. Targeted data may include: URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so forth. This sensitive data can be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software like Animal Lover Extension on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Animal Lover Extension
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Animal Lover Extension
Supposed Functionality	New browser tab customization with animal-themed wallpapers
Promoted URL	animal-lover-extension.com
Detection Names (animal-lover-extension.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (animal-lover-extension.com)	172.67.212.214
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 thousands of browser hijackers; My Search Newtab, Guardian Angel, and Web-Organize People Backgrounds are just a couple of our latest articles on these rogue extensions. Browser-hijacking software typically appears legitimate and innocuous.

Users may be lured into downloading/installing by offers of various "useful" and "advantageous" functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. Remember that operational features alone do not prove a software's legitimacy or safety.

How did Animal Lover Extension install on my computer?

We acquired Animal Lover Extension from a dubious website promoting it. However, browser hijackers are distributed using various techniques.

They are endorsed on legitimate-looking promotional pages and scam sites. Most users enter these webpages via redirects generated by mistyped URLs, websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, intrusive adverts, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

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

Additionally, browser hijackers are spread by intrusive advertisements. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

It is essential to research software before downloading or purchasing it. All downloads must be made from official and verified sources. When installing, we recommend reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additions (e.g., apps, extensions, tools, etc.).

We also advise being careful while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive ads may look harmless – yet redirect to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, scam-promoting, adult dating, etc.).

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

Appearance of animal-lover-extension.com redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by Animal Lover Extension browser hijacker:

Website promoting Animal Lover Extension 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 Animal Lover Extension?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Animal Lover Extension browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove animal-lover-extension.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove animal-lover-extension.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Animal Lover Extension 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.

Animal Lover Extension browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Animal Lover Extension 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 "Animal Lover Extension" 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 "Animal Lover Extension", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.animal-lover-extension.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 "animal-lover-extension.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 animal lover extension 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 "Animal Lover Extension", 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 "Animal Lover Extension", remove hxxp://animal-lover-extension.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 animal lover extension 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 animal lover extension 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 animal-lover-extension.com website?

Redirects to fake search engines (e.g., animal-lover-extension.com, etc.) are generated because cyber criminals profit through them.

Is visiting animal-lover-extension.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites like animal-lover-extension.com tend to collect information about their visitors. This data may then be sold to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser-hijacking software is primarily distributed via deceptive promotional webpages, online scams, bundled installers, freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Animal Lover Extension browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. It must be mentioned that manual removal (performed without the aid of security programs) might not be a perfect solution. In cases where multiple browser hijackers are present, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable with browser-hijacking software installed. Therefore, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.

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