IncognitoSearchBox browser hijacker removal instructions

IncognitoSearchBox – What is it?

“IncognitoSearchBox” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is distributed as a plugin for your internet browser. It is usually shared as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that helps to search some special info, for example, about sporting activity events, make your browser much more safe, allow downloading of any type of video, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nevertheless, the “IncognitoSearchBox” plugin is pretty useless because all such functions are currently built-in to your browser and/or Windows. Such advertising slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. However frequently even skilled users are getting caught on such an attraction. In particular instances, this hijacker is dispersed together with free tools.

IncognitoSearchBox Search Hijacker

How harmful is IncognitoSearchBox hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, IncognitoSearchBox hijacker is likewise considerably hazardous for browser use. It alters your search engine to its particular – Incognitosearchbox.com, and additionally alters your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, sometimes, altering it to default with the specified symbol).

Besides viewable changes done by IncognitoSearchBox hijacker, you may observe that many of your search questions are redirecting to the unfamiliar websites, full of web links and promotions – so-called doorway websites. Such sites can include web links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting boosts if you try to open Google search page forcibly.

However all these actions are far more bothersome than truly harmful. The major risk, primarily for people who have a huge amount of confidential information in their internet browsers, is embedded in data gathering functions. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited sites, and various other activities are easily collected by IncognitoSearchBox hijacker.

How to remove IncognitoSearchBox 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 fairly simple to remove. Usually, they have an independent application that can be located in the list of installed applications. Due to the particular marketing tactic of IncognitoSearchBox hijacker, it can be easily tracked and deleted by hand. Nonetheless, if you got IncognitoSearchBox in the bundle with a free applications, your computer may be infected with much more serious malware – trojans, spyware or perhaps ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you make use of anti-malware programs to deal with the IncognitoSearchBox PUA and all other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of detecting and clearing away a wide range of malware, including mentioned hijacker. Nevertheless, serious malware, that might be present on your computer in the specified situation, can disable the Windows antimalware tool by modifying the Group Policies. To avoid such situations, it is far better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and delete all malicious applications 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 malicious apps, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and folders.

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

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

Reset browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you need 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 choosing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be displayed, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing IncognitoSearchBox 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