Awesomehp.com Virus
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Awesomehp.com
The Awesomehp.com browser hijacker was created by Tomoon, Inc and is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted application. Developers of this plugin use a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling', and thus, most Internet users install this browser hijacker inadvertently without their consent when downloading free software.
After successful infiltration, this adware modifies Internet browser (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) settings by assigning the homepage, default search engine, and default tab fields to awesomehp.com
Computer users should be aware that this browser hijacker not only applies browser redirects but also tracks users' browsing activity by recording IP addresses, search terms, and links clicked within the Internet search results page.
At time of research, this adware was distributed using deceptive free software 'download clients' and fake downloads (such as fake Java and browser update downloads).
The Awesomehp.com browser hijacker is especially rogue since it modifies the shortcut targets of Internet browsers, thereby blocking user attempts to change the homepage and default search engine settings.
Whilst this potentially unwanted program (PUP) is not technically a virus, its behavior is similar to malware infections, and therefore, you are advised to eliminate it from your computer.
The Awesomehp.com browser hijacker is identical to previous variants, which redirect Internet users to sweet-page.com, nationzoom.com, and Aartemis.com To avoid installation of such browser settings-changing adware, express caution when downloading free software.
Today, most freeware download websites use deceptive download clients in order to trick computer users into installing advertised browser plug-ins together with the chosen free software. In most cases, the advertised browser extensions add no real value, and moreover, cause browser redirects and generate intrusive ads.
When downloading free programs, closely inspect each step and decline installation of promoted browser plug-ins. When installing the downloaded freeware, use the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation option - this will reveal any intended installation of bundled adware.
Computer users who experience browser redirects to hxxp://www.awesomehp.com should use this removal guide to eliminate adware from their Internet browser/s.
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Quick menu:
- What is Awesomehp.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall WPM17.8.0.3325 application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Awesomehp.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Awesomehp.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove Awesomehp.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Awesomehp.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Awesomehp.com virus 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 "WPM17.8.0.3325", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove". At time of research, this browser hijacker installed together with a program called "Desk 365". You may safely uninstall this software.
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs (which cause browser redirects to the Awesomehp.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer use recommended malware removal software.
Awesomehp.com homepage and default search engine removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser hijackers:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Fix Internet Explorer shortcut target:
This browser hijacker changes the "Target" field of the Internet Explorer shortcut. To fix this, locate your Internet Explorer shortcut on the Desktop and click the right mouse button over it. In the opened menu choose "Properties". In the opened window locate the Target field and eliminate text (hxxp://www.awesomehp.com/...), which is entered after "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe".
Change homepage:
Click on the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://www.awesomehp.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer.
Change default search engine:
Click on the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default, then remove "awesomehp".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the awesomehp.com redirect, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Fix Google Chrome shortcut target:
This browser hijacker changes the "Target" field of the Google Chrome shortcut. To fix this, locate your Google Chrome shortcut on the Desktop and click the right mouse button over it. In the opened menu choose "Properties". In the opened window locate the Target field and eliminate all text (hxxp://www.awesomehp.com/...), which is entered after "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe"
Remove Awesomehp.com related browser extensions:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome) select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate "Extended Protection" and "Lightning speedDial", select them and click the trash can icon.
Change homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) select "Settings". In the "On startup" section click "set pages", hover your mouse over hxxp://awesomehp.com and click on the x symbol. Now you can add any preferred website as your homepage (for example Google.com).
Change 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 "Search" section click "Manage Search Engines...", remove "awesomehp" and add or select your preferred domain.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the awesomehp.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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Fix Mozilla Firefox shortcut target:
This browser hijacker changes the "Target" field of the Mozilla Firefox shortcut. To fix this, locate your Mozilla Firefox shortcut on the Desktop and click the right mouse button over it. In the opened menu choose "Properties". In the opened window locate the Target field and eliminate all text (hxxp://www.awesomehp.com/...), which is entered after "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"
Change homepage:
Click on the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window) then select "Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://www.awesomehp.com and enter your preferred domain.
Change default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "awesomehp.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with awesomehp.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 awesomehp.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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Outstanding!
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