Hihikal.ru

Hihikal.ru is a browser hijacker that might install itself on user’s computer without his consent. From what we have learned while researching the program, it looks like this application is not only rather annoying but could also be potentially dangerous. It hijacks user’s browser and modifies its particular data to make Hihikal.ru or one of the other similar web pages as user’s default homepage. As it seems to be, such search engines could display suspicious advertising content, and while interacting with it, you might be redirected to malicious web pages. Thus, it is no wonder that our specialists recommend the application’s removal. If you want to get rid of the browser hijacker too, we encourage you to use the provided instructions at the end of the text and continue reading the article for more information.

Same as other related web pages, Hihikal.ru is targeted at users who speak the Russian language. As a result, it is mostly spread and popular in Russia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and other regions where people speak the mentioned language. Furthermore, the browser hijacker should be spread through suspicious file-sharing websites or it might be dropped on the system with the help of various Trojan infections.

If it managed to access your computer, it could mean that the system is vulnerable to threats. Therefore, to avoid such threats or even more malicious software, the system should be secured. For starters, it is important to remove suspicious programs and malware. Then, it might be a good idea to acquire a reliable security tool and keep it updated, so it could guard the system against malicious applications.

After the browser hijacker’s installation, users might notice a new shortcut on their Desktop, e.g. Вoйти в Интeрнет.lnk. If you click it, the shortcut should launch your browser and load Hihikal.ru or other related web pages, such as opatolo.ru, papala.ru, mechito.ru, and so on. No matter which one of these web pages your browser loads, it is because of the same application.

Moreover, the browser hijacker could also load the search engine automatically after the user restarts or turns on the computer. That is because the program creates a registry key in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run directory. The added value name should have a random title and as for its value data, it could contain either Hihikal.ru or other URL addresses of similar websites that we mentioned earlier. This particular Registry entry allows the software to load itself automatically with the Windows operating system.

What's more, Hihikal.ru might be unsafe to browse as the search engine may display third-party advertising. Most of the ads should be clickable, and if you do interact with them, the advertisements could lead you to their original web pages. The problem is that some of the websites may be malicious as they might contain such threats as Trojans, ransomware, and so on. For example, the site may offer you to download infected setup files, updates, upgrades, and so on. Besides, some of the websites could be unsafe to use as they might try to collect your personal information, such as email address, telephone number, and so on.

All things considered, Hihikal.ru appears to be not only an irritating but also a potentially harmful search tool. Plus, you should keep it in mind that it could be traveling with other suspicious software or even malware. Thus, we advise you to eliminate it as fast as you can and then check the system for other possible threats. The browser hijacker can be erased manually if you carefully follow the removal instructions available below. However, there is another option you may want to consider. We are talking about a reputable antimalware tool. Its scanning tool can help users locate not only the browser hijacker but also other threats as well. Plus, right after the scan, a deletion button appears, so you can erase all detections at the same time. If there is anything else you would like to know, ask us a question either in the comments below or through social media.

Eliminate Hihikal.ru from system

1. Go to your Desktop.
2. Find a shortcut titled as Вoйти в Интeрнет.lnk, right-click it and choose Delete.
3. Press Win+R, type Regedit and click OK to open the Registry editor.
4. Navigate to the given location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
5. Find a value name with a random title, e.g. “hhghiiuvry” (its value data could contain something similar to “explorer \http://opatolo.ru”).
6. Right-click the value name and select Delete.
7. Close the Registry editor and empty Recycle bin.

Reset your browsers

Internet Explorer

1. Press Alt+X, click on Internet Options and choose the Advanced tab.
2. Click Reset and select Delete personal settings.
3. Press Reset once more, then click Close.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Press the Help icon and select Troubleshooting information.
2. Click Refresh Firefox once, then press Refresh Firefox again and select Finish.

Google Chrome

1. Press Alt+F and click on Settings.
2. Slide down until you see the Show advanced settings option and select it.
3. Scroll down again, then press Reset Settings, and choose Reset.