How to remove the iLivid browser hijacker and the redirects it generates

What is iLivid?

The iLivid application claims to offer a variety of movie-related features - "iLivid offers you the biggest movies and shows database while keeping you up to date with celebrity gossip, teasers, spoilers, and reviews.". By promising such features, iLivid attempts to give the impression of legitimate and useful software, thereby tricking users to install.

Be aware, however, that iLivid is considered to be a browser hijacker and a potentially unwanted program (PUP) for two main reasons. Firstly, iLivid usually infiltrates computers without users' permission. Secondly, it modifies the Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox browser settings.

Once installed, iLivid sets the default search engine, new tab URL, and homepage settings of the aforementioned browsers to the search.ask.com website. Furthermore, it installs a browser extension that prevents users from rolling back these changes.

This type of behavior significantly diminishes the Internet browsing experience, since users are continually redirected to search.ask.com. Commonly, redirects by browser hijacking apps are made to bogus sites that display ads, track Internet browsing activity, collect personal information, and may cause further computer infections.

In this case, the search.ask.com website is legitimate and not related to any virus nor malware. iLivid, however, occasionally provides links to other third party websites that may conceal underlying content.

Furthermore, although the developers (Bandoo Media Inc.) claim that iLivid does not automatically collect personally identifiable information, the gathered data (including IP addresses, browser type, Internet Service Provider [ISP], cookie information, and webpages visited, etc.) might contain details related to users' personal identities.

This information is later shared with third parties and can be misused, and therefore, the presence of iLivid on your system can lead to privacy issues. Although the search.ask.com website is legitimate, the application causing redirects to this site is categorized as a PUP and a browser hijacker. Therefore, you should uninstall iLivid software from your system immediately.

iLivid Privacy Policy regarding information tracking:

iLivid does not automatically collect any personally identifiable information, such as names, e-mail, age, gender, address, telephone numbers, login names and passwords or other self-identifying information ("Personal Information").

iLivid is similar to other harmful browser hijackers including delta-homes.com, mysearchpage.net, portaldosites.com, and 321oyun.com. These also claim to enable useful features, however, they are a potential threat to the user.

Rather than providing any significant value, they display intrusive online ads (that may redirect to bogus websites, thereby causing high-risk computer infections), diminish computer/browser performance, and collect personally identifiable information (which is later shared with third parties).

This behavior can result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft. None of these bogus apps, including iLivid, provide any real value to the user. iLivid and other browser hijackers are designed simply to generate revenue for the developers.

How did iLivid install on my computer?

This application is often distributed via pop-ups and by using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software). Most users do not pay enough attention when downloading/installing software, and therefore, iLivid is often installed without their consent.

Many users do not realize that rogue applications are usually hidden within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options. Skipping these steps leads to inadvertent installation of unwanted apps. The developers of rogue applications aim to distribute as many as possible and are not concerned with proper discloser of installations.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download your chosen software from a trusted source - usually, the official website. If you are downloading from a freeware download website, select the direct download link if one is provided. You may be forced to download via a 'download manager' - in this case, pay close attention and closely analyze each step of the installation process.

Decline offers to install third party software. Installation of downloaded software should be performed with the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options - this will reveal any bundled apps listed for installation and allow you to opt-out.

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Quick menu:

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

iLivid 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 “iLivid”, and other recently-installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the search.ask.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

iLivid 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 "iLivid", and other 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://search.ask.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 "Ask.com".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.ask.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:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Ask App for iLivid", and "iLivid", 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.ask.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 "Ask Search" and add or select your preferred domain.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.ask.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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove "iLivid" (and 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, remove hxxp://search.ask.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: "ask.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with search.ask.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 search.ask.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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit fake search engines?

Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers, etc.) generate revenue through redirects to fake search engines.

Is visiting fake search engines a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Visits to fake search engines can result in visitor data being sold to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most widely used proliferation methods include: bundled installers, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove iLivid browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (unaided by security software) might be ineffective, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these instances, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Additionally, this software may deny access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes. Therefore, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.

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