MuzikTrak is a browser hijacker that redirects users to Search.mysearch.com. The site is connected to APN, LLC, and the company The Whiz, Ltd. developed the hijacker program. To remove the hijacker and all redirects, you should read this article.
MuzikTrak can change browser settings, as the search engine of your browsers, the homepage, and new tabs. The hijacker can also add a browser extension. Search results display adverts and are misleading.
Threat Summary
| Name | MuzikTrak |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Short Description | Your browsers will have their homepage, new tabs and the search engine changed. Sponsored ad results appear in search results. |
| Symptoms | Modifies the browser homepage, new tabs and the search engine. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss MuzikTrak. |
MuzikTrak – How Did I Get It?
MuzikTrak is found within third-party installers. The hijacker can enter your computer without your knowledge because it can hide in freeware installers and bundled packages. Similar packages often include additional components for installation, which may not be disclosed, and in the end you see the Search.mysearch.com page all over your browsers. Avoiding this is usually done by performing a simple check for a Custom or an Advanced menu inside an installation.
MuzikTrak can be found on the Google Web Store like other hijackers. Advertisements, like banners and pop-ups might also spread this hijacker. Visiting suspicious websites does not exclude its delivery either. Those websites may also be affiliated with the unwanted program. All browsers can be affected, but mainly Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox.
MuzikTrak – Detailed Information
Muziktrak.thewhizproducts.com is the main website portal of the browser hijacker called MuzikTrak. The program is developed by The Whiz, Ltd. and is tightly associated with the known browser hijacker makers – APN, LLC. Both of them made the predecessor of this hijacker and that is MuzikFury.
When it enters your computer, the hijacker makes changes to it and to every browser it finds. It can easily modify almost any browser’s homepage, new tabs, and even its search engine. Another thing that is commonly appearing is the related browser extension that has the same name. A toolbar is shown that links to popular music sites and this time can even play music. You can’t choose the music but its sponsored content. The extension could do the following things:
- Read and change all your data on the websites you visit
- Manage your apps, add-ons, extensions and themes
Your searches will inevitably be filtered through the Search.mysearch.com domain address and that goes for any type of queries. Not only you get redirected to the above mentioned domain, but can also get redirected to sites partnered with MuzikTrak. You can witness sponsored and paid content and search results with advertisements and misdirections.
As you see in the image, the advertisements appearing are inevitable and cannot be avoided. Aside from the in-text ads and links which are shown above, you might see other forms of advertising such as pop-ups, pop-unders, banners or other. The websites you could encounter due to redirects may be getting revenue based on a pay-per-click principle.
The Privacy Policy of Search.mysearch.com has been updated. IAC Search and Media Europe Limited are now a major affiliate partner of APN, LLC outside America. The policy claims that personal information will be collected. And as mentioned in the policy, that information is:
- Your IP address
- The address of the last URL you visited
- Your browser and platform types
- Your browser language
- The data in any undeleted “cookies” that your browser previously accepted
- Search queries and misspelled URLs you enter using any related service
You can get a glimpse of the policy in the image down here:
Be aware that using the MuzikTrak search engine and all of its related services and other search applications, you give your consent for personal data collection by all of them. Said data can be shared with affiliates and partners of the hijacker, including other third-parties. Cookies may be used to track your browsing activity further.
Remove MuzikTrak and Search.mysearch.com Completely
To remove MuzikTrak manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of this browser hijacker and the redirects completely, you should search for and remove any leftover items with an advanced anti-malware tool. A tool like this will keep your system secure in the future.
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove MuzikTrak from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for MuzikTrak with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall MuzikTrak 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 4: Clean Any registries, Created by MuzikTrak 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 MuzikTrak 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 MuzikTrak (Windows).
Get rid of MuzikTrak from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall MuzikTrak 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 MuzikTrak. 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 MuzikTrak 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 MuzikTrak files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as MuzikTrak, 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 MuzikTrak (Mac)
Remove MuzikTrak 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 MuzikTrak 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 MuzikTrak 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 MuzikTrak 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 MuzikTrak will be removed.
Eliminate MuzikTrak 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".
MuzikTrak-FAQ
What Is MuzikTrak?
The MuzikTrak 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 MuzikTrak?
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 MuzikTrak?
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 MuzikTrak Work?
Once installed, MuzikTrak 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.
MuzikTrak 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 MuzikTrak 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 MuzikTrak Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this MuzikTrak 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 MuzikTrak?
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 MuzikTrak threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.