Search.HDVideoBar.com Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is search.hdvideobar.com?
Developed by Mars Technologies Ltd, HDVideoBar toolbar is a rogue browser extension compatible with Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. HDVideoBar employs a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) to install on these browsers without users' consent.
For this reason, most users inadvertently install HDVideoBar during download of free software via small programs called 'download clients' used by freeware download websites (such as softonic.com, soft32.com, download.com, etc.) Furthermore, this potentially unwanted application claims to enable 'advanced search options', however, it modifies users' Internet browser settings (homepage and default search engine fields) and redirects users to the hdvideobar.com website.
In addition, this rogue browser toolbar monitors users' Internet browsing activity by collecting various software and hardware information including Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, unique identifier numbers, geo-locations, URLs visited, search queries entered, pages viewed, screen resolution, and other information that may be personally identifiable.
HDVideoBar is similar to other potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that use bundling as an installation method. For example: search.coupons-bar.com, isearch.safefinder.net, delta-homes.com, etc.
The behavior of these dubious browser extensions may cause high-risk computer infections, serious privacy issues, or even identity theft, and therefore, you are strongly advised to eliminate hdvideobar.com browser hijacker from your Internet browsers.
Be aware that 'download clients' on freeware download websites are used to monetize these websites' free services by offering installation of promoted (according to the developers, '100% legitimate') browser extensions together with the chosen free software. Thus, reckless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections.
To avoid installation of HDVideoBar, express caution when downloading free software and never accept installation of any additional applications offered.
In addition, if you are installing downloaded software, select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options, rather than 'Typical' or 'Quick' - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation with the downloaded software and allow you to decline them.
If you have already installed HDVideoBar toolbar, read the following removal guide and eliminate this browser hijacker from your Internet browsers.
HDVideoBar Smartbar adware installer:
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Quick menu:
- What is hdvideobar.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall HDVideoBar Toolbar application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove search.hdvideobar.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove search.hdvideobar.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.hdvideobar.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove search.hdvideobar.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Search.Hdvideobar.com redirect 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 "HDVideoBar Toolbar", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes browser redirects to search.hdvideobar.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Hdvideobar.com homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser hijackers:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Remove hdvideobar.com related Internet Explorer add-ons:
Click the "gears" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions ("HDVideoBar Toolbar" and "HDVideoBar ToolbarEngine"), select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://feed.helperbar.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click 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 "HDVideoBar Search".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the hdvideobar smartbar virus, 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:
Remove hdvideobar.com related Google Chrome extensions:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious add-ons ("HDVideoBar Toolbar"), select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Change your 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://search.hdvideobar.com and click the x symbol. Now, you can add your preferred website as your homepage.
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" section, click "Manage Search Engines...", remove "HDVideoBar" and add or select your preferred Internet search engine.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the hdvideobar smartbar virus, 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:
Remove hdvideobar.com related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window remove any recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins ("HDVideoBar Toolbar").
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage click on the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://feed.helperbar.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open every time you start Mozilla Firefox.
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: "HDVideoBar" (or "HelperBar")
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with hdvideobar smartbar virus 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 hdvideobar smartbar virus, 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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