DownSpeedTest Toolbar
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is DownSpeedTest?
Created by Mindspark Interactive Network, DownSpeedTest is a browser toolbar that supposedly allows users to test Internet performance directly from the browser, share various files, and other functions. Some users might find this functionality legitimate and useful, however, DownSpeedTest is classed as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and a browser hijacker.
One reason for these negative associations is stealth installation - DownSpeedTest infiltrates the system without users' permission. Following successful installation, browser settings are modified and users' Internet browsing activity is monitored.
DownSpeedTest targets the Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox browsers. This PUP assigns the browser homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL settings to the ask.com website without users' consent. Furthermore, it installs browser plug-ins/applications that prevent users from rolling back these changes.
By causing unwanted browser redirects, DownSpeedTest significantly diminishes the Internet browsing experience. Furthermore, users' Internet browsing activity is continually tracked and recorded (some of this recorded information might be personally identifiable).
Note that the developers of DownSpeedTest co-operate with third party companies, sharing the collected information with them. The data can later be misused to generate revenue, thereby causing privacy issues. We advise you to uninstall DownSpeedTest from your system immediately.
Mindspark Interactive Network has released a number of deceptive toolbars (including DownSpeedTest, PConverter, DownShotFree, File Send Suite, etc.) offering many features. Although the functionality offered by these toolbars differs, they have identical behavior. None provide the features promised.
DownSpeedTest, and other toolbars, are developed to generate revenue by causing unwanted browser redirects and collecting various system information.
How did DownSpeedTest install on my computer?
Although DownSpeedTest is available for download on its official website, the developers employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' as an alternative way to stealthily install this toolbar without users' consent.
They exploit users' lack of attention when downloading and installing software, hiding bogus applications within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. Users commonly rush these processes and skip most/all steps, thereby inadvertently installing rogue applications.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Closely inspect each step when downloading and installing software. Follow both procedures and use the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out. The key to computer safety is caution. Never rush the download and installation processes.
DownSpeedTest browser hijacker installer set-up:
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Quick menu:
- What is DownSpeedTest?
- STEP 1. Uninstall DownSpeedTest application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove DownSpeedTest redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove DownSpeedTest browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove DownSpeedTest homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove DownSpeedTest redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
DownSpeedTest 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 “DownSpeedTest Internet Explorer Toolbar”, select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the DownSpeedTest website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
DownSpeedTest 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 "DownSpeedTest", "Toolbar BHO", and "dqbar.dll", 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://home.tb.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 Web Search".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the downspeedtest 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 "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "DownSpeedTest", select this entry 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://home.tb.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" and add or select your preferred domain.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the downspeedtest 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 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 "DownSpeedTest 7.18.7.63935".
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://home.tb.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 downspeedtest 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 downspeedtest 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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