IncognitoSearchHome Browser Hijacker
IncognitoSearchHome is the name of a browser hijacker that redirects web browsers to a hoax search engine. This hoax search engine may trigger additional redirects to Yahoo search or Bing. Usually, these unwanted effects are supported by potentially unwanted programs. So it is very likely that there is at least one of them running on your PC. Browser hijackers as potentially unwanted programs alter main browser settings without users’ permission. They are mainly spread via software bundles. Once a hijacker is started on a PC, it adjusts the main browsing preferences on almost all installed web browsers. As a result, affected browsers are forced to display suspicious sites like IncognitoSearchHome.
It may seem that having a browser hijacker running on the system is not something that should be bothering you but there are a few hidden hijackers’ traits that can make you change your mind.
IncognitoSearchHome Summary
| Name | IncognitoSearchHome |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, Browser Redirect, PUP |
| Short Description | A program that pushes questionable search enigne. It hijacks browsers without asking for pemission. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, new tab page and search enigne in preferred web browser are set to display the hoax search engine IncognitoSearchHome. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, Corrupted Websites |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by Malware Download
Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss IncognitoSearchHome. |
IncognitoSearchHome – Is it safe to use this site? Is there a program that is showing it in the browser?
IncognitoSearchHome.com is a website that has been detected to hijack popular browsers. It hosts a suspicious web search function that may trigger a series of redirects to bogus sites when used.
The appearance of this website in the browser is surely a sign that you should pay attention to your PC security. Oftentimes, sites like IncognitoSearchHome are pushed by browser hijackers. Browser hijackers are potentially unwanted programs that aim to get installed on computer operating systems without any notifications.
They are developed to adjust main settings that affect online browsing. Among the issues that may be witnessed in case of infection with a browser hijacker are the homepage and new tab page loading a suspicious search engine. This search engine may redirect to alternative search engines as well. Commonly used are Yahoo search and Bing due to their popularity among online users.
Originally these search engines are trustworthy but when used by browser hijackers they may be modified versions that aim to trick people. Counterfeit versions of popular search engines may be misused for data collection, shady advertising campaigns, malware propagation, and other nasty activities. That’s why we recommend that you avoid browsing the web through the affected browser until you ensure that no suspicious or potentially harmful files are running on your device.
As long as the hijacker has access to your PC, it may be able to use different tracking technologies to obtain specific details as well. Among these details may be search queries, browsing history, IP address, clicks on links, and more. Data records will be transferred to remote servers. Then they may be misused for the launch of targeted advertising campaigns that generate revenue for PUPs owners. Unfortunately, these people may also release harvested data on dark web markets or sell it to third-parties.
For the sake of your online security, we advise you to consider a thorough removal process right now.
IncognitoSearchHome Hijacker Removal Guide
In order to remove IncognitoSearchHome browser hijacker along with all associated files that enable its appearance in the browser, you should complete several removal steps. The guide below presents all the steps required for the complete removal of browser hijackers like IncognitoSearchHome. If you want to make sure that no undesired and potentially harmful files are running on your system, we recommend that you follow the guide to the end. Have in mind that some of the installed files installed by the browser hijacker may be named in a completely different way so that they can be hard to find, hence, hard to remove.
In case you have further questions or need additional help with the removal process, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact us at our email.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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- Guide 1: How to Remove IncognitoSearchHome from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of IncognitoSearchHome from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove IncognitoSearchHome from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase IncognitoSearchHome from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall IncognitoSearchHome from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove IncognitoSearchHome from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate IncognitoSearchHome from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove IncognitoSearchHome from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove IncognitoSearchHome
Step 2: Uninstall IncognitoSearchHome 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 IncognitoSearchHome 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 IncognitoSearchHome 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 IncognitoSearchHome from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall IncognitoSearchHome 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 IncognitoSearchHome 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 IncognitoSearchHome files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as IncognitoSearchHome, 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 IncognitoSearchHome 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 IncognitoSearchHome 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 IncognitoSearchHome 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 IncognitoSearchHome 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 IncognitoSearchHome will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate IncognitoSearchHome 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.
