Removal instructions for the Astromenda browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Astromenda.com?
The Astromenda browser toolbar claims to enhance users' Internet browsing experience by allowing immediate access to various social networking websites (for example, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and improving the quality of Internet search results.
Although this browser plug-in may seem to deliver legitimate and useful functionality, be aware that it is categorized as a browser hijacker or redirect virus. It modifies browser settings to promote (via redirects) the astromenda.com fake search engine.
Astromenda browser hijacker overview
Astromenda employs a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' to install on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome) without users' consent. Bundling allows developers to stealthily distribute their applications together with other software.
Therefore, users commonly infect their computers with the Astromenda browser hijacker when downloading free software from freeware download websites.
Currently, most popular freeware download websites (such as download.com, softonic.com, and soft32.com) use small programs called 'download managers' or 'download clients' to monetize their free services by promoting installation of toolbars, widgets, and other browser extensions together with the chosen free software.
These websites claim that these applications are '100% legitimate and virus-free', careless download and installation of freeware usually leads to adware or malware infections. These infections are likely to cause intrusive online advertisements, privacy issues, or in the case of astromenda.com, unwanted browser redirects.
Although Astromenda poses no direct virus or malware threats, most users are redirected to this website without their consent.
If you notice that your homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL settings are assigned to astromenda.com without your approval, follow this removal guide to uninstall Astromenda browser hijacker from your Internet browsers.
| Name | Astromenda |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Astromenda |
| Promoted URL | astromenda.com |
| Detection Names (astromenda.com) | Webroot (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
Browser hijacker examples
Created by IronSource Ltd, Astromenda is similar to other potentially unwanted programs such as Groovorio, Taplika, and MySearchDial. Rather than providing any real value for the user, these browser add-ons generate intrusive online advertisements and modify Internet browser settings without users' permission.
How did Astromenda install on my computer?
Browser hijackers can be bundled with ordinary programs. Bundled installers can be downloaded from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.). The risk of allowing such content into the system is increased by rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping steps, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).
Additionally, browser-hijacking software is promoted on legitimate-looking webpages and scam sites. Most users access these websites via redirects caused by pages utilizing rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, misspelled URLs, and installed adware.
Intrusive advertisements also proliferate browser hijackers. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We highly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified sources. When installing, we advise reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplements.
Another recommendation is to be vigilant when browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears legitimate. For example, while intrusive ads may look harmless – they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, adult dating, etc.).
In case of continuous encounters with advertisements/redirects of this kind, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Astromenda, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Deceptive free software installer used in astromenda.com browser hijacker distribution:
Deceptive website used for tricking Internet users into downloading and installing Astromenda.com 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is Astromenda.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Astromenda application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Astromenda.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Astromenda.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove Astromenda.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Astromenda.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Astromenda.com 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 "Astromenda", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (that causes browser redirects to the Astromenda.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Astromenda.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 Astromenda.com related Internet Explorer add-ons:
Click the "gears" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for the "Astromenda Toolbar" and "Astromenda Helper Object", 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://www.astromenda.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter 'about:blank' to open a blank page when you start 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 "Astromenda".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the astromenda.com 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 Astromenda.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 "Astromenda New Tab" 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://www.astromenda.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 "Astromenda" and add or select your preferred Internet search engine.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the astromenda.com 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 Astromenda.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" and remove "Astromenda New Tab".
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://astromenda.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: "Astromenda.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with astromenda.com 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 astromenda.com 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.
Post a comment:
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit astromenda.com website?
The motivation behind developing software that causes rogue redirects is profit. In other words, cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines, etc.) generate revenue through redirects to sites like astromenda.com.
Is visiting astromenda.com a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes. Websites like astromenda.com usually gather (and sell) information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are primarily distributed via online scams, bundled installers, deceptive promotional webpage, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Astromenda browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might not be ideal. In cases when multiple browser hijackers are present, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable with browser-hijacking software installed. Therefore, it is essential to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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