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Remove unwanted pop-ups or site redirects

This problem can be caused due to a browser hijacker. A browser hijacker is a type of malware that is designed to change your browser's settings. You may experience any of the following behaviors:

  • Your search is getting redirected to different websites

  • Your homepage or search engine is changed without your permission

  • Webpages load slowly

  • You see multiple toolbars on your web browser which you did not install

  • You get multiple pop-up alerts for advertisements

If you see pop up that direct you to third-party support site or if you think you have been scammed, read Learn more about technical support scams and steps to avoid them.

STEP 1

Download and run Norton Power Eraser - Unwanted Application scan

Norton Power Eraser is compatible with Windows 7 SP1 and newer operating systems.

  1. Depending on your version of Windows, download one of the following: 
    • On 64-bit Windows: Norton Power Eraser
    • On 32-bit Windows: Norton Power Eraser

  2. Press Ctrl + J key, to open the Downloads window in your browser, and double-click the NPE.exe file.

  3. Read the license agreement and click Agree.

    If you have already accepted the license agreement, you will not be prompted again.

    Norton Power Eraser checks for and automatically downloads the new version if available.

  4. In the Norton Power Eraser window, select Unwanted Application Scan, and click Run Now.

  5. When Norton Power Eraser completes the scan, the results are displayed in the Unwanted Apps Scan Complete window.

    If there are no unwanted applications detected on your computer, the message "No Threats Found" is displayed. Click Done.

  6. If unwanted applications are detected, then in the Unwanted Apps Scan Complete window, next to the unwanted application or toolbar, click Uninstall.

  7. Follow the on-screen instructions.

  8. When the uninstall completes, restart the computer.

If Norton Power Eraser does not remove the unwanted toolbars, then manually remove them by using the Add/Remove Programs or Uninstall a Program in the Control Panel. Adware generally installs a new toolbar in your browsers and changes your default search engine setting to a third-party search engine.

STEP 2

Reset browser settings

Depending on your browser, reset the browser settings to completely remove the unwanted toolbars and search engines.

Reset Google Chrome

  1. Start Google Chrome.

  2. On the top-right corner, click Customize and control Google Chrome, and click Settings.

  3. Click Advanced.

  4. Under Reset and cleanup, click Restore settings to their original defaults.

  5. In the Reset settings window, click Reset settings.

Reset Mozilla Firefox

  1. Start Mozilla Firefox.

  2. On the top-right corner, click Open menu, and then click Help .

  3. On the Help menu, select Troubleshooting Information.

  4. In the Troubleshooting Information window, click Refresh Firefox.

  5. In the confirmation window, click Refresh Firefox.

  6. Click Finish.

  7. Click Open menu, click Library > History, and then click Clear Recent History.

  8. In the Time range to clear drop-down, select Everything.

  9. Select all options, and click Clear Now.

Reset Microsoft Edge

  1. Start Microsoft Edge.

  2. On the top-right corner, click Settings and more, and select Settings.

  3. In the Settings window, select Reset settings.

  4. On the right pane, under Reset settings, click Restore settings to their default values.

  5. In the Reset settings window, click Reset.

STEP 3

Download Norton Power Eraser and run a scan

Norton Power Eraser is compatible with Windows 7 SP1 and newer operating systems.

  1. Download Norton Power Eraser.

  2. Press Ctrl + J key, to open the Downloads window in your browser, and double-click the NPE.exe file.

    If the User Account Control window prompts, click Yes or Continue.

  3. Read the license agreement and click Agree.

    If you have already accepted the license agreement, you will not be prompted again.

    Norton Power Eraser checks for and automatically downloads the new version if available.

  4. In the Norton Power Eraser window, select Full System Scan, and click Run Now.

  5. If you want to include the Rootkit scan, click Settings, and under Scan and Log Settings, toggle the option Include Rootkit scan (requires a computer restart) and click Apply.

  6. When you see a prompt to restart the computer, click Restart.

    Wait for the scan to complete. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Did Norton Power Eraser detect any threat?

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DOCID: kb20100811171926EN
Operating System: Windows
Last modified: 10/07/2024