InspiringBackgrounds

InspiringBackgrounds is an application that belongs to the same group of software as CatHomepage Toolbar, StreamlinedDIY Toolbar, and EasyWeatherAlert Toolbar. These applications belong to the Mindspark Interactive Network family, and all of them have separate official download pages. The app we are discussing in this report is officially promoted via inspiringbackgrounds.com/index.jhtml, where it is advertised as a tool that can provide you with inspirational quotes, as well as images. Although some users acquire the app from its official download source, there are plenty of users who acquire it from third-party sources. In the worst case scenario, you will download it bundled with malware that you will need to delete as well. As you might have figured out by now, our research team recommends removing InspiringBackgrounds from your operating system. If you are interested in that, keep reading.

The suspicious InspiringBackgrounds is linked to the MyWay search tool that replaces the homepage and the new tab page of the infected browser. At the moment, this app is compatible only with IE, Chrome, and Firefox browsers. Once you install the app, you will be able to modify the homepage background image, and that is something that might make you think that the suspicious application is beneficial. That is not what you should focus on. Instead, focus on the suspicious search tool that might have been implemented without your notice. For example, if you have download the add-on onto Chrome, you are introduced to a pop-up indicating that the add-on can read and change your data and browsing history, as well as manage the installed extensions and even your downloads. However, this pop-up does not inform you about the homepage and new tab modifications, which is what makes many users delete InspiringBackgrounds as a browser hijacker. In most cases, this information is provided to users via the download source, and they simply overlook it.

Was your homepage changed to hp.myway.com? If it has, you probably have noticed that it is allegedly “enhanced by Google.” Although this search tool does not redirect to Google Search, this might make you think that the results shown to you are produced by Google. Even if the suspicious search tool exploits the popular search engine to show results, you cannot trust it. By entering keywords into the search box and using the search service, you provide the creator of InspiringBackgrounds with sensitive information about your virtual behavior. According to our researchers, this could enable unknown parties to track your activity and use the information collected in unknown ways. Have you reviewed the Privacy Policy? If you have, you know that the company reserves the right to collect personally identifiable information, and that might violate your virtual security. While we do not claim that Mindspark or the companies affiliated with it are malicious, we certainly cannot guarantee that your virtual security is guaranteed if you trust the services of InspiringBackgrounds. If you are not comfortable with the uncertainty, you should immediately remove the suspicious extension and the search tool that comes bundled with it.

You will need to uninstall InspiringBackgrounds via Control Panel if it has taken over Internet Explorer. Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox users will need to eliminate extensions to get rid of this suspicious app. The guide below explains how to delete InspiringBackgrounds from your browsers manually, but that is not the only option you have. In fact, there is one much better thing you can do, and that is installing an anti-malware application. If you make the right choice, this app will automatically clean your operating system from all threats and, at the same time, keep it fully protected against the infections that might attack your PC in the future. If you choose to go with the manual removal option, our advice for you is to use a malware scanner afterward to check for leftovers or third-party malware. Remember that if you ignore malware, it will not go away. It will simply cause havoc without any disturbance.

InspiringBackgrounds Removal

Google Chrome:

1. Tap Win+E keys simultaneously to access Explorer.
2. Enter %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\ (or %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\ if you are a Windows XP user) into the bar at the top.
3. Open the Default or Profile folder.
4. Open the Extensions folder.
5. Delete the folder named mknhnhgoeomafmbgfbppcgacgcbokbnn.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Tap Win+E keys simultaneously to access Explorer.
2. Enter %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\ into the address bar.
3. Open the Mozilla Profile folder (unique character combination) and move to extensions.
4. Right-click and Delete the file named iyMembers_@free.inspiringbackgrounds.com.

Windows XP (for Internet Explorer):

1. Move to the Taskbar and click Start.
2. Open Control Panel and double-click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Remove the undesirable application.

Windows Vista/Windows 7 (for Internet Explorer):

1. Move to the Taskbar and click the Windows logo.
2. Open Control Panel and then click Uninstall a program.
3. Right-click and Uninstall the undesirable program.

Windows 8/Windows 10 (for Internet Explorer):

1. Simultaneously tap Win+R to access RUN.
2. Enter Control Panel into the dialog box and click OK.
3. Open the Uninstall a program menu and Uninstall the undesirable application.