How to remove HistoryBuffer browser hijacker? — Fix Guide

HistoryBuffer – What is it?

“HistoryBuffer” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is spread as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically advertised as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to browse some special info, for instance, about sport events, make your web browser a lot more safe, allow downloading of any kind of web video, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nevertheless, the “HistoryBuffer” plugin is rather ineffective due to the fact that all such functions are already embedded to your web browser and/or Windows. Such advertising slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. But occasionally even expert users are getting caught on such a lure. In particular scenarios, this hijacker is dispersed along with free software.

HistoryBuffer Search Hijacker

How harmful is HistoryBuffer hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, HistoryBuffer hijacker is additionally fairly harmful for browser utilization. It changes your search engine to its specific – Historybuffer.com, and also modifies your background, putting its watermark on your background image (or, sometimes, altering it to default with the mentioned symbol).

In addition to viewable modifications done by HistoryBuffer hijacker, you might see that some of your search queries are redirecting to the unknown websites, full of web links and ads – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can include links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting boosts if you try to open Google search page forcibly.

But all these actions are a lot more irritating than really destructive. The most significant threat, especially for people who have a great deal of confidential information in their internet browsers, is embedded in data gathering functionalities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited websites, as well as other activities are simply gathered by HistoryBuffer hijacker.

How to remove HistoryBuffer 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 usually rather simple to delete. In most cases, they have a separate application that can be seen in the list of installed programs. Due to the particular marketing method of HistoryBuffer hijacker, it can be quickly tracked and deleted by hand. Nevertheless, if you got HistoryBuffer in the package with a free applications, your personal computer might be infected with far more serious malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you utilize anti-malware programs to deal with the HistoryBuffer PUA and all various other malware.

You can utilize Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of finding and eliminating various malware, including mentioned hijacker. But severe malware, that might be present on your PC in the mentioned case, can disable the Windows antimalware tool by editing the Group Policies. To prevent such circumstances, it is better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

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

You can spectate the detected malicious apps sorted by their possible harm till the scan process. But to choose any actions against malware, you need to hold on until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.

To choose the action for each detected virus or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious program. By default, all the viruses 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 counteracted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This action can be located in the Tools tab.

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

Deleteing HistoryBuffer 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