Yoursites123.com

If your browser’s homepage or search engine has been changed to Yoursites123.com without your approval, then you ought to remove it as fast as possible. It may seem like a legitimate search engine, but it is not. After running a few tests we have discovered that it replaces the browser’s default homepage/search engine with its address. We are concerned that this hijacker can display advertisements in its search results to make money. Hence, it is apt to feature content from unverified sources, so it is possible that it will promote malicious websites and software downloads. It can also collect information and share it with third parties. All in all, you should not risk your computer’s security and your privacy by allowing this hijacker to remain on your system. We invite you to read this article which will provide you with information regarding its distribution methods and functionality, as well as a removal guide.

Without further ado, let us begin with how it functions. For starters, Yoursites123.com works like any other search engine. The only problem we have with it is that it redirects all of its search queries to Google.com, so actually you are using Google.com — not Yoursites123.com. However, this does not mean that Google’s results have not been modified to display additional ads. The search results can include promotional links that come from unknown sources. Therefore, it is more than likely that some of the ads will redirect to malicious websites that can contain downloads of malicious software, such as adware, browser hijackers, and spyware. However, you may encounter various Trojans such as LeChiffre Ransomware.

In any case, this browser hijacker has multiple clones, such as Mystartsearch.com, Webssearches.com, and Sweet-page.com. All of them work the same, but may promote different content. So, upon infection Yoursites123.com hijacks the search engine of Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome, as well as Edge’s and Firefox’s homepages. This is done to force you to use this hijacker to perform your daily searches, view its advertisements and generate adverting revenue for its developers. Furthermore, this it modifies the browsers’ Target line to prevent you from changing the browser settings before the infection. To be more precise, it adds Yoursites123.com’s address in quotes after the Target directory.

Now let us talk privacy because it is very important these days when everything seems to keep tabs on you. This hijacker’s privacy policy states that “Yoursites123.com may collect anonymous information when you interact with us so we can improve the overall quality of your online experience. We collect your IP address, referral data, and browser and platform type.” This information may appear insignificant, but you should not allow it to be obtained just in case. Note that the IP address shows you approximate geographical location.

So that is what this infection does, but now we need to know how it is distributed. After doing so digging online, we have found that this hijacker is most likely being distributed by utilizing software bundles. Software bundles often include several applications, so they are ideal to secretly install a browser hijacker. Take note that the bundles IP address comes with do not offer you to opt out its installation, so your best bet is to avoid shady websites that are known to host bundled software.

Even though Yoursites123.com does not rank high on the danger scale, it still can compromise your computer’s security with more and more programs that will keep piling up if you continue to visit its promoted websites until, eventually, your computer becomes slower and start crashing. So you should remove this hijacker, and if you need help with dealing with this issue, check out our uninstallation instructions below.

How to get rid of this browser hijacker

Windows XP

1. Click the Start menu button found on the lower-left of the screen.
2. Go to the Control Panel and click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Identify the application and click the Remove button.

Windows Vista & 7

1. Click the Start menu button found on the lower-left of the screen.
2. Go to the Control Panel and click Uninstall a program.
3. Identify the malware and click the Uninstall button.

Windows 8 & 8.1

1. Open the Charm bar in the modern UI and click Search.
2. Find Uninstall a program and enter it.
3. Identify undesirable program and click the Uninstall button.

Windows 10

1. Type Control Panel in the search bar located on the Taskbar.
2. Go to Uninstall a program.
3. Identify the malicious app and click the Uninstall button.

Reset browser setting to default

Microsoft Edge

1. Press Alt+X.
2. Click Advanced settings.
3. Type a new homepage address in the address bar.
4. Choose or enter a new search engine in Search in the address bar with section.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Press Alt+H and select Troubleshooting Information.
2. Click Refresh Firefox.
3. Select Refresh Firefox again once the window appears.
4. Click Finish.

Google Chrome

1. Press Alt+F and open Settings.
2. Select Show advanced settings.
3. Click Reset settings.
4. Click Reset once the window appears.

Fix the modifications made to the browser’s Target line

1. Right-click on Firefox, Chrome or Edge shortcut.
2. Select Properties and open the Shortcut tab.
3. Erase the unwanted search engine from the end of the Target line.
4. Click OK.