CatHomepage.com is a browser hijacker redirect which is made by Mindspark Interactive. You can download a related browser extension from the site or Google Chrome’s web store. In case you have that extension or other unwanted applications on your PC, they will change your homepage, search engine and new tab to CatHomepage.com. A toolbar can appear. Search results will mislead you and might show ads and targeted content. To see how to remove the hijacker redirect, you should read this article.
Threat Summary
| Name | CatHomepage.com |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Short Description | All browsers on your PC could be affected. The hijacker will redirect you and filter your search queries. |
| Symptoms | Browser settings which are switched are the homepage, search engine, and new tab. A browser extension can be added as well as a toolbar. You can see targeted advertising content. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss CatHomepage.com. |
CatHomepage.com – Delivery Methods
The CatHomepage.com page uses well-known delivery methods. It could be delivered with the aid of third-party installations. Bundle software, including free programs, can install this hijacker on your computer device. Freeware setups might be set to add extra components with their default installation. Avoiding any unwanted programs from installing is manageable when you find Custom or Advanced options to deselect components.
As you can see from the above image, CatHomepage.com uses alternate methods to deliver its search engine and modify your browser settings. The method above is spreading an extension which is available on the Chrome Web Store. Other method involves using advertisements and redirects on websites, like pop-ups, banners and text-links. These websites could be affiliated or partnered with Mindspark. The following browsers can be affected: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer/Edge, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.
CatHomepage.com – More Information
CatHomepage.com is the primary download page of a browser hijacker redirect of the same name. We can see that the hijacker redirects to the MyWay search engine. MyWay is owned by the Mindspark Interactive Network, which is the sole developer of the hijacker. That company has developed many more redirect applications, such as the MySocialShortcut hijacker. Having any application connected to it on your personal computer will change the search engine, start page and new tab setting of your browsers to CatHomepage.com.
You can see the below picture showing how the main page looks:
The CatHomepage.com address is made of a cat picture as a background and a search bar with a bulk of links in the form of buttons. These buttons can redirect to popular sites for social media, but are somehow altered to show sponsored content along with targeted advertisements. The page will replace your default search settings of all the browsers you own, including the new tab setting and home page. A toolbar can be added as well as a browser extension.
The extension related to the hijacker does the following:
- Read and change all your data on the websites you visit
- Read and change your browsing history
- Manage your downloads
- Manage your apps, extensions and themes
When an application associated with CatHomepage.com resides on your computer machine, you will begin to see various changes made to your browsers when you surf online. Your PC could become affected by such applications with the help of software which is bundled. Different sponsored content and targeted adverts can display in the search results. Your search queries will go through the int.search.myway.com/search/ URL:
So if you use the CatHomepage.com page and search engine, all the Web searches you do, will be filtered by MyWay. You could get redirected to search.myway.com and become witness to a big amount of pop-up ads tied to the hijacker redirect.
Mindspark is a big company, notorious for all browser hijackers that it created. Thus, you should be very wary with what you type out in its searches. Refrain from clicking on the social buttons of CatHomepage, due to the simple fact that you will be redirected. Read down below to find out what type of information can be obtained from you.
CatHomepage.com – Privacy Policy
The Privacy Policy of CatHomepage redirects you to Mindspark’s main EULA and Policy page found at https://eula.mindspark.com/privacypolicy/. The policy has not been changed since February this year as seen below:
According to the Policy, the following information is collected:
- Your name
- Your address
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Number of your page views
- What links you clicked
- Your login times
The following excerpts are quoted from the policy, and are indicative of Mindspark:
Mindspark, its Affiliates, or Service Providers may transfer information that we collect about you, including personal information across borders and from your country or jurisdiction to other countries or jurisdictions around the world.
and
By downloading, registering for and/or using Mindspark’s Services, you consent to the transfer of information to the U.S. or to any other country in which Mindspark, its Affiliates or Service Providers maintain facilities and the use and disclosure of information about you as described in this Privacy Policy.
All services related to CatHomepage.com and Mindspark, plus their toolbars and applications state in their policies that you automatically give your consent to your information being collected by using any of them. Data which is gathered from them could be disclosed to third parties. In case you do not want such an intrusion of your personal space, you should remove the unwanted program.
Remove CatHomepage Completely
To remove CatHomepage.com and anything associated to CatHomepage manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the hijacker and all of its files completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software can keep your computer safe in the future.
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove CatHomepage.com from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for CatHomepage.com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall CatHomepage.com and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by CatHomepage.com on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by CatHomepage.com there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for CatHomepage.com (Windows).
Get rid of CatHomepage.com from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall CatHomepage.com and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to CatHomepage.com. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove CatHomepage.com via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove CatHomepage.com files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as CatHomepage.com, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for CatHomepage.com (Mac)
Remove CatHomepage.com from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase CatHomepage.com from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall CatHomepage.com from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove CatHomepage.com from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the CatHomepage.com will be removed.
Eliminate CatHomepage.com from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
CatHomepage.com-FAQ
What Is CatHomepage.com?
The CatHomepage.com threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of CatHomepage.com?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like CatHomepage.com?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does CatHomepage.com Work?
Once installed, CatHomepage.com can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
CatHomepage.com can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is CatHomepage.com Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the CatHomepage.com Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this CatHomepage.com how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on CatHomepage.com?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the CatHomepage.com threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.