by Berta Bilbao | September 16, 2016 | 0 Comments browser extension, browser hijacker, redirects

Play-bar.net is the web address of a browser hijacker redirect. When you do a search, you will get redirected to a few places. One of the places is the query service of SafeFinder, which is another browser hijacker program. Your searches will be filtered by it. Play-bar.net can change the homepage, new tab and search engine of any browsers you use. To remove the hijacker and all its files, you should read the article in full.

Threat Summary

Name	Play-bar.net
Type	Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description	All browsers on your computer can be affected. The hijacker redirects you and filters your search queries.
Symptoms	Browser settings which are changed are the homepage, search engine and new tab. You might see sponsored content and advertisements while you browse.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Play-bar.net.

Play-bar.net – Methods of Distribution

Play-bar.net has a few distribution methods. Its software can hop onto your computer via third-party installations. Software which is bundled with others or one that is freeware can distribute the hijacker to your computer device. Setups like these usually have additive components set for installation, by default. The hijacker might alter browser settings before you realize it. Avoiding installations of this sort is doable if you find a Custom or an Advanced settings menu around the setup.

Play-bar.net could use various methods to distribute its search engine to your browser software. As seen in the above image, one of these ways is through an extension found in the Google Chrome web store. Redirect links and advertisements are another distribution way, especially if opened from suspicious websites. Banners, pop-ups and various types of ads could be used, as well. This hijacker could distribute itself with the aid of websites which are affiliates and partners with Play-bar.net. The following browsers could be affected: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.

Play-bar.net – In Detail

Play-bar.net is the main domain of a browser hijacker redirect that bears the same name – Play Bar. You can see the homepage of the hijacker in the screenshot right here:

The Play-bar.net main page is very simplified and consists of a colored background, a search bar, and a link to the extension of this hijacker. That same page will replace your new tab page, starting page and search engine for almost all browsers you use on the affected computer. The hijacker could tweak the preferences of the browsers, too.

An extension related to the hijacker exists, and there might be other additional components present on your personal computer that can generate redirects and adverts. The redirects can land you on dubious websites or ones that deliver sponsored third party content. Owners of such websites could be somehow partnered or affiliated with Play-bar.net.

The browser extension does the following:

Read and change your data on play-bar.net and query.yahooapis.com
Read your browsing history
Change your search settings to: play-bar.net

In the image shown below, you can view the search results of Play-bar.net. You get redirected to the search results page of Yahoo, but that is just the surface. Before reaching that end of the redirect, you go through servers of SafeFinder, that is another browser hijacker. The tactic of landing to a reputable search engine’s results is used by this hijacker, to try getting people into trusting it.

Play-bar.net can gather all sorts of information from you and your online activity, including the search queries you make. Servers of the hijacker and those of SafeFinder are responsible for that information collection. You can read more extensively about the Safe Finder hijacker from the article in the blog.

You can view the redirect in action from the below screenshot:

The search engine acquires every bit of information coming from your search queries. You should be careful with what you provide as personal details in searches while using the search engine of the hijacker. As there might be more redirects to various servers, you do not know in the end to how many places that information will end up on. Continue reading to see what the privacy policy of SafeFinder states and what precisely Play-bar.net sends out as information.

Play-bar.net – Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy of the Play-bar.net site is non-existent or very well hidden. As search queries go through the Safe Finder browser redirect its policy applies. The platform collects personally and non-personally identifying information. The information could be disclosed to third-party affiliates.

You can see the Privacy Policy here:

Information which can be collected is the following:

Browser (type and language)
Operating System (type and language)
Your name and address
Geo location and IP address
Date and time of access
Your time zone
Advertisements viewed
Offers and services that interest you
Default search
VPN and Proxy services
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Interaction with social networks
Screen Resolution
Search quires and browsing history
Pages browsed and content viewed

If you are using services associated with Play-bar.net or Safe Finder, or any applications connected to them, then by the Policy’s writing you are bound to it and give your consent for your data collection. The policy states that cookies, web beacons, pixel tags and similar technologies can be used for accumulating more information. In cases of merger, sale or bankruptcy of the Play-bar.net website, all personal data is to be sold as an asset to the new owner company.

Remove Play-bar.net Completely

To remove Play-bar.net manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the hijacker and all of its files completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software can keep your computer secure in the future.

Berta Bilbao

Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.

Guide 1: How to Remove Play-bar.net from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of Play-bar.net on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove Play-bar.net in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase Play-bar.net from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall Play-bar.net from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove Play-bar.net from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate Play-bar.net from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable Play-bar.net 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 Play-bar.net from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Play-bar.net

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 Play-bar.net 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 Play-bar.net 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 Play-bar.net 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 Play-bar.net 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 Play-bar.net from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Play-bar.net 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 Play-bar.net:

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 Play-bar.net. 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 Play-bar.net. 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 Play-bar.net 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 Play-bar.net. 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 Play-bar.net files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Play-bar.net, 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 Play-bar.net:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

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

Remove Play-bar.net 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 Play-bar.net 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 Play-bar.net 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 Play-bar.net 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 Play-bar.net 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 Play-bar.net 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.