Localmoxie(dot)com is the main page of a browser hijacker. It’s a quintessential example of a mock search engine. On top of being a pretty weak search engine, it’s also a browser hijacker and adware. The main goal of Localmovie(dot)com is to collect personal information from its users, on a level that’s unusually intrusive even for fake search engines.
Threat Summary
| Name | Local Moxie |
| Type | Browser hijacker; Ad-supported browser extension |
| Short Description | An adware and a browser hijacker that infects your computer through freeware installations. |
| Symptoms | The homepage of your browser is switched to Localmoxie(dot)com. |
| Distribution Method | Bundling Downloads |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Local Moxie. |
Localmoxie(dot)com – Distribution
Localmoxie(dot)com most often finds its way into your PC by freeware bundled packs. Once it infects your system, the hijacker switches your homepage to Localmoxie(dot)com, changes a lot of your browser settings, and adds a toolbar. This often happens through downloading programs bundled with malicious software. These programs offer the user to switch his default broser, thus voluntarily infecting his system. The option to do that is hidden under the Custom and Advanced options on installers. Be sure to opt out of installing unwanted programs. Among the browsers that can get hijacked are Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and many others.
Localmoxie(dot)com – In Detail
Localmoxie(dot)com is a search engine made to collect the personal data of those unfortunate enough to use it. Their Privacy Policy states that clearly; “localmoxie.com collects personal information when you register with localmoxie.com, when you use localmoxie.com products and services, when you visit localmoxie.com pages or the pages of certain localmoxie.com partners, and when you enter promotions or sweepstakes.” Even by using the most basic functions of their site, your data is being collected.
But when it comes to intrusive data collecting, Localmoxie(dot)com’s stated registration policy is in a league of its own. They claim to need your:
- Name.
- E-mail address.
- Gender.
- Occupation.
- ZIP code.
- Industry.
- Personal Interests
Just from that it’s pretty apparent what their end-goal is – collecting as much information as they can and selling it to whoever’s buying. They claim that their user’s information is protected, but that’s hardly true, as their Privacy policy also states that information can be passed to a third party when the company is acquired or merged with another company. Hardly anyone would call that “protection.”
Even if you don’t care about your personal information being stolen, Localmoxie(dot)com is still very bad for you, as it slows down your system and makes your browser harder to use, and disrupts its basic functions by changing settings, default search engine, etc.
Localmoxie(dot)com – Removal
Localmoxie(dot)com is nothing but trouble for your computer and privacy. If your system got infected by the malicious search engine, then it’s best to remove it. To do that, you can download an anti-malware program or follow the step-by-step guide we’ve provided bellow. Be sure to fully wipe out the program from your computer, as some files can still survive in a sort of cyber-limbo and cause all sorts of trouble.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove Local Moxie from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Local Moxie from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Local Moxie from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Local Moxie from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Local Moxie from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Local Moxie from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Local Moxie from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Local Moxie from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Local Moxie
Step 2: Uninstall Local Moxie and related software from Windows
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 3: Clean any registries, created by Local Moxie on your computer.
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 Local Moxie 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.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of Local Moxie from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Local Moxie and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- 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 Local Moxie 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 Local Moxie files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Local Moxie, 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Local Moxie 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase Local Moxie 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall Local Moxie 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Local Moxie 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 Local Moxie will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Local Moxie 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.
