Remove Nearbyme.io browser redirect

Nearbyme.io is the address (URL) of a fake search engine.

NearByMe – What is it?

“NearByMe” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is spread as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically shared as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to browse some particular info, as an example, about sport events, make your browser a lot more secure, enable downloading of any type of video, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nevertheless, the “NearByMe” plugin is pretty ineffective because all such functions are currently built-in to your browser and/or system. Such advertising mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. But sometimes even professional users are getting caught on such a lure. In certain instances, this hijacker is spread together with free tools.

NearByMe Search Hijacker

How harmful is NearByMe hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, NearByMe hijacker is likewise quite harmful for browser utilization. It alters your search engine to its particular – Nearbyme.io, and likewise transforms your background, putting its watermark on your background image (or, in some cases, altering it to default with the specified symbol).

In addition to aesthetic alterations done by NearByMe hijacker, you might observe that some of your search questions are redirecting to the dubious web pages, filled with web links and ads – so-called doorway sites. Such sites can include web links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting surges if you attempt to open Google search page forcibly.

However all these activities are more irritating than truly hazardous. The most important threat, primarily for people who have a considerable amount of secret information in their internet browsers, is embedded in information gathering functionalities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited web pages, as well as other activities are easily gathered by NearByMe hijacker.

How to remove NearByMe 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 often rather very easy to remove. For the most part, they have an independent application that can be found in the list of installed applications. Because of the particular marketing manner of NearByMe hijacker, it can be simply tracked and deleted manually. However, if you got NearByMe in the package with a free applications, your personal computer may be contaminated with much more dangerous malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d recommend you utilize anti-malware tools to deal with the NearByMe PUA and all other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of finding and removing a wide range of malware, including named hijacker. But significant malware, that might be present on your PC in the discussed situation, can disable the Windows antivirus program by modifying the Group Policies. To avoid such situations, it is better to utilize GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

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

You can spectate the detected malicious programs 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 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 malware. By default, all the viruses will be removed to quarantine.

Reset browser settings to original ones

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

After choosing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be shown, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing NearByMe 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