How to uninstall the DiscoverAncestry toolbar?

What is hp.myway.com?

Created by Mindspark Interactive Network Inc, DiscoverAncestry claims to enable users to find information relating to their family names and histories. Although this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, DiscoverAncestry is considered to be a browser hijacker.

It operates by modifying browsers in order to promote a fake search engine, it also spies on users' browsing habits. Due to the deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling', employed by DiscoverAncestery to install on Internet browsers without users' permission - it is deemed to be a PUA (Potentially Unwanted application) as well.

Bundling allows developers to distribute their applications together with other software, therefore most computers are infected with DiscoverAncestry during download of free software from freeware download websites.

Most popular freeware websites such as download.com, softonic.com, and soft32.com use small download programs, called: 'download managers', 'installers', 'download clients', etc.

They are used to monetize the free services by offering installation of promoted (according to the developers, '100% legitimate and virus-free') applications or browser extensions together with the chosen software. Thus, careless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections.

Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome, DiscoverAncestry assigns the homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL browser settings to an illegitimate search engine - hp.myway.com. Search results generated by hp.myway.com are likely to cause further computer infections.

Therefore, you are strongly advised against using this website as your default search engine. What is more, DiscoverAncestry can track data; it monitors browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) and gathers personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

The collected data is likely to be shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), seeking to misuse it for profit. Presence of data tracking software on devices can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses and even identity theft.

To ensure device integrity and user safety, it is recommended to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-in immediately upon detection

Threat Summary:

Name	DiscoverAncestry browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Detection Names	Avast (Win32:UnwantedSig [PUP]), DrWeb (Adware.MyWebSearch.147), ESET-NOD32 (Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.BA Potentially), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:WebToolbar.Win32.Ag), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Browser Extension(s)	DiscoverAncestry
Supposed Functionality	It can supposedly provide information concerning users' family names and ancestry.
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Promoted Domain	hp.myway.com
Serving IP Address (hp.myway.com)	23.65.241.223
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), fake Flash Player installers.
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.

There are many applications similar to DiscoverAncestry. For example: MyTelevisionHQ, SimplePackageFinder, MapMyWayFree and so on.

None of these apps (including DiscoverAncestry) provide real value to the user - their only goal is to generate revenue for the developers. In fact, this is the purpose of all unwanted applications. Instead of working as promised, they hijack browsers, cause unwanted browser redirects, deliver intrusive online ads and track private data.

How did DiscoverAncestry install on my computer?

DiscoverAncestry is proliferated using the 'bundling' method. Rushed download/installation processes (e.g. skipped steps and sections, using pre-set options, etc.) increase the risk of such software infiltrating systems, without express user permission. However, DiscoverAncestry also has "official" download sites, which is not uncommon for PUAs.

Additionally, these applications are proliferated by intrusive online advertisements. When clicked on, they can execute scripts to stealthily download/install unwanted software.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Installation of PUAs such as DiscoverAncestry can be prevented by closely inspecting each step of the free software download process and clicking 'Decline', if installation of any additional applications is offered.

Furthermore, programs downloaded from the Internet should be installed using the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options, rather than 'Quick', 'Regular', or 'Typical' - this will reveal any hidden applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out. Since intrusive ads tend to appear ordinary and harmless, it is easy to click them by mistake.

These advertisements redirect to questionable websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.) and can stealthily download/install content; therefore, it is important to exercise caution when browsing.

If you are experiencing undesirable advertisements/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all dubious applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins from it. If your computer is already infected with DiscoverAncestry, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Installation setup of DiscoverAncestry browser hijacker:

DiscoverAncestry browser hijacker asking for various permissions:

Website promoting DiscoverAncestry browser hijacker:

Another website promoting DiscoverAncestry browser hijacker:

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Quick menu:

• What is hp.myway.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall DiscoverAncestry application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove DiscoverAncestry browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove hp.myway.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove hp.myway.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

DiscoverAncestry 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 (for example, "DiscoverAncestry Internet Explorer..."), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the hp.myway.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

DiscoverAncestry browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, 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://hp.myway.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 and then remove "hp.myway".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the discoverancestry browser hijacker, 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:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "DiscoverAncestry" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable DiscoverAncestry, look for a browser hijacker URL (hp.myway.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 "Ask Web Search" when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the discoverancestry 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "DiscoverAncestry", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable DiscoverAncestry, remove hxxp://hp.myway.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 "I'll be careful, I promise!".
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 discoverancestry 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 discoverancestry 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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