| Name | HowToSimplified Toolbar |
| Type | Toolbar |
| Short Description | The toolbar promises to find home improvement tips, DIY tutorials, money-saving suggestions, recipe ideas, etc. |
| Symptoms | The search provider is changed to guard-search.com. |
| Distribution Method | Via freeware packages (bundling), or from its official website. |
| Detection tool | Download SpyHunter, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By HowToSimplified Toolbar |
Threat Summary
| Name | HowToSimplified Toolbar |
| Type | Toolbar, PUP |
| Short Description | The toolbar promises to find home improvement tips, DIY tutorials, money-saving suggestions, recipe ideas, etc. |
| Symptoms | The search provider is changed to guard-search.com. |
| Distribution Method | Via freeware packages (bundling), or from its official website. |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool | User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss HowToSimplified Toolbar. |
What Is HowToSimplified Toolbar?
HowToSimplified Toolbar is yet another browser extension that you do not want to have on your computer. This toolbar promises that it will provide users with help you find home improvement tips, DIY tutorials, money-saving suggestions, recipe ideas, etc. Right now you may think that the program is useful, but there is more to it. HowToSimplified Toolbar is classified as a browser hijacker. This means that once it has been installed, it will change the homepage and default search provider on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Such programs are considered as potential risks for the system, and it is advised that you do not keep them on your PC.
What Does HowToSimplified Toolbar Do?
HowToSimplified Toolbar is yet another program by Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc. This means that it is the same as other unwanted applications such as EasyMailLogin Toolbar, FindMeFreebies, and MapsGalaxy.
After being installed, the program will immediately change the settings of your browser. Mywebsearch.com will be set as your default search provider and homepage. This search engine is not one that we recommend using. It is not as reliable as Google, Yahoo or Bing, for instance, and will display sponsored links. The toolbar will also start presenting pop-up and banner advertisements, and you can expect sudden redirects to unknown websites.
Is HowToSimplified Toolbar Dangerous?
The browser extension itself is harmless. However, its activities, apart from being really irritating, can expose you to online risks. It is possible for some of the ads and sponsored links that it shows to lead to malicious websites. Cyber criminals are known to exploit such programs in order to advertise their harmful websites. So, with the presence of HowToSimplified Toolbar, you can easily end up on a web page operated by hackers. Then, your PC will be at risk of being infected. Even if malware does not attack your computer, some other scam, such as a phishing scam, may be attempted.
How Did HowToSimplified Toolbar Get on My PC?
This program can be acquired from its official website. Still, programs such as this try to get installed without being noticed. This is why HowToSimplified Toolbar can be found attached to a variety of free programs. Because of this, it is strongly advised that you be careful when installing free applications. Here are some things you can do to avoid bundled downloads:
- Do not download any programs from third-party websites.
- Take your time with the installation. Carefully read all information presented to you.
- Choose Advanced/Custom installation, so that you will be able to decline additional software featured on the installer.
How to Remove HowToSimplified Toolbar
You can get rid of this program by uninstalling it the way you would any other program. Go to Control Panel, then to the list of programs, find the toolbar and uninstall it. Next, you need to reset your browser’s settings in order to remove the unwanted search engine.
You should know that this is not enough to ensure your system’s security. After all, more unwanted programs could have been uninstalled without you noticing. And your system is definitely susceptible to infection. It is strongly recommended that you install powerful security software on your computer that will get rid of all intruders and protect the PC against any future attempts at compromising it.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the beginning. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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- Guide 1: How to Remove HowToSimplified Toolbar from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of HowToSimplified Toolbar from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove HowToSimplified Toolbar from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase HowToSimplified Toolbar from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall HowToSimplified Toolbar from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove HowToSimplified Toolbar from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate HowToSimplified Toolbar from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove HowToSimplified Toolbar from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove HowToSimplified Toolbar
Step 2: Uninstall HowToSimplified Toolbar 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 HowToSimplified Toolbar 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 HowToSimplified Toolbar 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 HowToSimplified Toolbar from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall HowToSimplified Toolbar 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 HowToSimplified Toolbar 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 malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner 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 HowToSimplified Toolbar 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 HowToSimplified Toolbar 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 HowToSimplified Toolbar 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 HowToSimplified Toolbar 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 HowToSimplified Toolbar will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate HowToSimplified Toolbar 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.
