Can Antivirus Software Remove Browser Hijackers?
Feb 14, 2023 | 0 Votes
by Justo
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Have you ever clicked a suspicious link to then notice how your browser is filled with toolbars, pop-ups, and even a new search engine? Then, your browser has been hijacked. Learn some tricks to avoid it!
Has it ever happened to you that you’re downloading a file from a website or simply clicked a link from an email and before you’ve noticed, your browser is now filled with toolbars, pop-ups, and even a new search engine? Then, your browser has been hijacked, leaving your computer vulnerable and prone to ID theft and phishing. This practice is not new to the public, but still affects your PC’s security and is sometimes hard to fix.
Although there are tips all over the web saying they’ll help you to restore your PC settings to its original estate, sometimes the remedy is worse than the ailment itself, allowing more hijackers and other types of spyware get into the system. However, antivirus software with strong spyware removal tools can help you get rid of the obnoxious hijackers. In this article, we’ll explain what browser hijackers are, how to recognize them, and how to get rid of them in a few simple clicks.
What is a Browser Hijacker?
A hijacker is an unpleasant software that accesses your system and modifies your browser’s settings without asking for permission, with the only mission of flooding your system with unwanted advertising that’ll force hits for particular websites to earn revenue. Additionally, browser hijackers often replace your error page, homepage, and even the entire browser for the ones the hijackers want you to use to fit their purpose. They can also include malicious spyware to steal sensitive data from your computer like personal information, emails accessing data, and banking information.
How to Know if You are Infected?
The first thing you’ll notice is the immediate change in loading speed, your searches will be redirected to other websites, and lots of unwanted pop-ups will appear all over the place. Another characteristic sign that you’ve been hijacked is the sudden proliferation of toolbars inside your browser, which got installed whether you wanted them or not.
What Antivirus Brands can Remove Hijackers?
There are many AV software like Bitdefender Total Security, Norton Power Eraser, and Avast Pro AV, that can help you to remove browser hijackers from your computer. Bitdefender and Norton’s spyware removal scan feature will help you delete all those malicious files by simply clicking ‘Scan’, waiting for the results, and hitting ‘Uninstall’ before restarting the computer. On the contrary, Avast Pro has a built-in detector that blocks spyware and other malicious files in real-time.
When it comes to prices, Bitdefender offers device protection plans that range from $10 to $1740 depending on the number of computers and mobile devices included in each plan going from one to up to 50 devices. Avast, on the other hand, offers plans that’ll protect from 1 computer to up to 10 devices by paying a yearly fee that ranges from $70 to $90. Finally, Norton offers affordable plans to protect from one to five computers and devices with prices ranging from $20 to $120 per year.
Thanks to AV software tools like Norton Power Eraser and Avast Pro AV, deleting spyware and other malicious files from your system is as easy as running a scan and watch the files disappear for good. This will make your internet browsing experience a lot more enjoyable and safer than ever, as your personal and banking data will be protected from curious eyes. To add an extra layer of security, avoid downloading files from sketchy websites or clicking on links from emails you don’t know who the sender is.
Featured Antiviruses
Cylance Smart Antivirus
Cylance is a cybersecurity expert that is unlike any other. In addition to being able to secure endpoints and prevent breaches, the antivirus software also taps into the capabilities of an intelligent threat prevention system, using it to identify and predict threats months before they are running rampant in the wild.
Avast Free Antivirus
Developed by Avast Software, Avast Free Antivirus provides an almost complete protection, minus a firewall and antispam features, to its users and is only available to internet-connected devices. It is also, as of 2017, the most popular antivirus on the market.
Bitdefender Free
With over 500 million users as of 2017, Bitdefender Free is quite the popular antivirus of choice when it comes to Windows PCs. The program, particularly the premium version, offers a pretty complete package of digital protection.
360 Total Security
360 Total Security by Qihoo 360 is an exceptional antivirus that’s served as the go to solution for many over the years for all their system security needs. Offering an exceptional array of features, 360 Total Security hasn’t let its users down ever since it surfaced.
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2018
Founded in 1997 by internet security researcher and expert, Eugene Kaspersky, Kaspersky Lab is a multinational digital security and antivirus provider which owns a line of cybersecurity software, including the most popular Kaspersky Anti-Virus. As of 2016, the software has over 400 million users, most of which are from European regions.
McAfee Total Protection
Touted as being the world’s largest dedicated security technology company, McAfee claims to protect 90 out of the 100 Fortune 100 companies, 82% of the world’s largest banks, and has over 300 million users across the globe.
