Remove HowToSimplified Toolbar from the System

by Milena Dimitrova | September 2, 2015 | 0 Comments online advertisements, PUP, toolbar

Threat Summary What Is HowToSimplified Toolbar?What Does HowToSimplified Toolbar Do?Is HowToSimplified Toolbar Dangerous?How Did HowToSimplified Toolbar Get on My PC?How to Remove HowToSimplified Toolbar

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. 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 on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove HowToSimplified Toolbar in 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.
Guide 8: Disable HowToSimplified Toolbar Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

How to Remove HowToSimplified Toolbar from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove HowToSimplified Toolbar

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

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:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

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:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

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.

IMPORTANT!
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.

Step 4: Scan for HowToSimplified Toolbar with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of HowToSimplified Toolbar from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall HowToSimplified Toolbar and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to HowToSimplified Toolbar:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to HowToSimplified Toolbar. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. 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 HowToSimplified Toolbar. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

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:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as HowToSimplified Toolbar. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

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 HowToSimplified Toolbar files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as HowToSimplified Toolbar, 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.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for HowToSimplified Toolbar:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

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 Stop Push Pop-ups

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 Stop Push Pop-ups

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 Stop Push Pop-ups

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.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

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.