How to remove Askmeus browser hijacker? — Fix Guide

Askmeus – What is it?

“Askmeus” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is promoted as a plugin for your web browser. It is usually marketed as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to search some particular information, as an example, about sporting activity events, make your web browser far more secure, enable downloading of any video, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nonetheless, the “Askmeus” plugin is quite pointless because all such features are already embedded to your web browser and/or system. Such advertising slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. But sometimes even expert users are getting caught on such a lure. In specific situations, this hijacker is dispersed together with free tools.

Askmeus Search Hijacker

How harmful is Askmeus hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, Askmeus hijacker is additionally quite unsafe for browser use. It transforms your search engine to its specific – Askmeus.net, and additionally transforms your background, adding its watermark on your background image (or, in some cases, altering it to default with the specified symptom).

In addition to seeable changes done by Askmeus hijacker, you can notice that many of your search questions are redirecting to the untrustworthy web pages, filled with links and promotions – so-called doorway sites. Such sites can contain web links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting rises if you try to launch Google search page by force.

But all these actions are a lot more annoying than truly dangerous. The main risk, especially for people who have a considerable amount of secret information in their web browsers, is installed in data gathering functions. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited web pages, and other activities are easily gathered by Askmeus hijacker.

How to remove Askmeus search hijacker?

• Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
• Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
• “Move to quarantine” all items.
• Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
• Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
• Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are almost always pretty simple to deal with. In many cases, they have an independent app that can be found in the list of installed apps. Because of the particular distribution method of Askmeus hijacker, it can be simply tracked and erased manually. Nevertheless, if you got Askmeus in the package with a free program, your system might be contaminated with much more dangerous malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d recommend you utilize anti-malware tools to delete the Askmeus PUA and all other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of recognizing and removing various malware, including mentioned hijacker. But significant malware, that might be present on your PC in the mentioned case, can disable the Windows antivirus tool by editing the Group Policies. To prevent such scenarios, it is better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and remove all unwanted applications on your desktop with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the viruses, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and folders.

You can see the detected malicious programs sorted by their possible hazard during the scan process. But to choose any actions against the viruses, you need to wait until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

To set the action for each spotted malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malware. By default, all malware will be removed to quarantine.

Reset browser settings to original ones

To revert your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be intercepted by any malware, hence, you will surely see the result. This action can be located in the Tools tab.

After pressing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be displayed, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing Askmeus hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :

After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

References

1. More information about PUAs
2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender