The article will help you to remove GardeningEnthusiast fully. Follow the browser hijacker removal instructions provided at the end of the article.
GardeningEnthusiast.com is the main URL address that provides a direct download for a browser hijacker which is called GardeningEnthusiast. The hijacker is developed by the Mindspark Interactive company. In case you have the related browser extension or other unwanted programs on your computer, be aware that your search engine, homepage and new tab will get altered. A related toolbar exists that performs in nearly the same way. All search results can mislead you and show you sponsored results and adverts.
Threat Summary
| Name | GardeningEnthusiast |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Short Description | Each browser program on your computer device might get affected. The browser hijacker will redirect you and filter your search queries. |
| Symptoms | All homepages, search engines, and new tabs are the main browser settings which will get modified. A browser extension and a toolbar are not excluded to get added as well. You can see a lot of targeted advertisement content. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss GardeningEnthusiast. |
GardeningEnthusiast.com – Spread
GardeningEnthusiast.com is the main Web page of the hijacker. A couple of delivery methods are used to deliver the browser hijacking tool. It could be spread with the help of third-party install setups. Bundled software and freeware programs might install the browser hijacker on your computer machine. Similar installations could be set to put additional components along with the default ones during the installation setup. Preventing unwanted programs from installing on your computer is possible if you find any Custom or Advanced controls inside the setup to deselect unwanted components.
GardeningEnthusiast.com browser hijacker redirect is also seen at two primary download locations – on the main Web portal of the hijacker’s direct download page (which also pop-ups in online ads), and inside the Google Chrome Web Store.
This extension could also be available at places offering similar services as those offered by the hijacker. Another way for spreading the unwanted application to your browsers and computer might include the use of redirects and adverts. They will be displayed as pop-ups, banners and text-links on websites. Those websites could be affiliated or partnered up with Mindspark. The following browsers can be affected: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.
GardeningEnthusiast.com – Insight
GardeningEnthusiast.com is the domain address hosting a direct download of the browser hijacker of the same name GardeningEnthusiast. This hijacker will redirect you to the MyWay search engine from every search query that you make. MyWay is owned by the Mindspark Interactive Network, which is the developer of this and many other hijacking software tools. If you have any application associated with it on your computer system, then your browsers’ search engine, start page and new tab window will be affected by the capabilities of this hijacker.
Below you can view the main search and new tab page of an already affected browser:
The GardeningEnthusiast download page is covered with an arrow pointing to a download button. Its main search page when you load a new tab, however, has lots of buttons wrapped up inside a band underneath the search bar. The developer company is known to put them there in many of its other browser hijackers, too. The page also has a bunch of links in the footer of its main page and search results.
The same page will be placed as your default search engine of the browsers you have, along with its new tab window and home page. A toolbar or a browser extension can be added, as well.
The extension connected to the hijacker does the following:
- Read and change all your data on the websites you visit
- Replace the page you see when opening a new tab
- Manage your downloads
- Manage your apps, extensions, and themes
GardeningEnthusiast.com will hijack your browser applications and change them, if one of its related extensions finds its way to your computer system. Bundled applications are the main perpetrator for such an unwanted piece of software getting access to your PC. Lots of sponsored content and targeted advertisements might be shown in your search results as portrayed in the example below:
Each and every search query you make will get processed by the servers of the hijacker and go via the int.search.myway.com/search/ URL address.
In case you happen to have the GardeningEnthusiast.com search redirect on your PC, every single online search done inside a browser will get filtered by MyWay. On top of that, links promoted by the PUP will generate money for the hijacker owners by using pay-per-click monetization. You will experience redirection and witness pop-ups, plus other advertisements associated with the hijacker.
The Mindspark company has made its name notorious from the browser hijacking software that it has developed over the years and shows no signs of stopping. As a result, the Internet space is filled with software written by it hence you should be careful when surfing online or with bundle software installation. Keep on reading below to check out what information exactly will be obtained from you.
GardeningEnthusiast – Privacy Policy
The Privacy Policy of GardeningEnthusiast will redirect you to the EULA and Policy page of Mindspark located at https://eula.mindspark.com/privacypolicy/. The policy can be previewed from the picture down here:
According to this Policy, this information will be gathered:
- Your name
- Your address
- Email address
- Number of your page views
- What links you clicked
- Telephone number
- Username and password
- Browser type
- Preferred language
- Other browser-related data
- Keyword query, search query text and search results you clicked on
- Adverts clicked and cookie data
- Your login times
The following quote from the Privacy Policy is not unusual for Mindspark:
We may receive information from third-parties, including our authorized service providers, IAC affiliates, advertising companies, and ad networks. These third parties may display ads via the MS Services.These companies may use tracking technologies, such as cookies, to collect information about users who view or interact with these advertisements.
In the policy it is stated that if you are using any service associated with GardeningEnthusiast.com and Mindspark, including toolbars and applications, said usage will automatically be considered as your approval for the collection of your personal data.
All information which is acquired could be shared with third party businesses. In case you do not want your private space to be invaded in this kind of way, you should remove the browser hijacker software.
Remove GardeningEnthusiast Browser Redirect
You might have noticed that there is a button on the new tab page that states “Restore New Tab Page”. If you decide to click it, the following pop-up window will appear:
Don’t get tricked – this will not completely remove the extension from your browser and the files related to it from your computer device. It will act as a “Disable” button and you will no longer see the MyWay page, alas it will still be installed and could still acquire data about you and your browsing habits via cookies and similar methods. We recommend full removal of the application instead of just disabling its new tab page.
To remove GardeningEnthusiast.com manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided after this paragraph. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the hijacker and all of its related 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.
Tsetso Mihailov
Tsetso Mihailov is a tech-geek and loves everything that is tech-related, while observing the latest news surrounding technologies. He has worked in IT before, as a system administrator and a computer repair technician. Dealing with malware since his teens, he is determined to spread word about the latest threats revolving around computer security.
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How to Remove GardeningEnthusiast from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for GardeningEnthusiast with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall GardeningEnthusiast 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 GardeningEnthusiast 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 GardeningEnthusiast 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 GardeningEnthusiast (Windows).
Get rid of GardeningEnthusiast from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall GardeningEnthusiast 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 GardeningEnthusiast. 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 GardeningEnthusiast 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 GardeningEnthusiast files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as GardeningEnthusiast, 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 GardeningEnthusiast (Mac)
Remove GardeningEnthusiast 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 GardeningEnthusiast 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 GardeningEnthusiast 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 GardeningEnthusiast 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 GardeningEnthusiast will be removed.
Eliminate GardeningEnthusiast 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".
GardeningEnthusiast-FAQ
What Is GardeningEnthusiast?
The GardeningEnthusiast 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 GardeningEnthusiast?
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 GardeningEnthusiast?
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 GardeningEnthusiast Work?
Once installed, GardeningEnthusiast 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.
GardeningEnthusiast 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 GardeningEnthusiast 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 GardeningEnthusiast Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this GardeningEnthusiast 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 GardeningEnthusiast?
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 GardeningEnthusiast threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.