Search.hmyutilitybox.co

Search.hmyutilitybox.co is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that might be spread with another PUP called similarly (My Utility Box). At first, the mentioned extension seemed to be compatible with just Google Chrome, but at the moment of writing, it seems both of the suspicious applications appear to work on all major browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome). Once My Utility Box gets installed Search.hmyutilitybox.co may settle in as well by replacing the browser’s default search engine, homepage, or new tab page. The problem with this search engine is it may display modified Yahoo search results, which means they could contain potentially dangerous third-party advertising. Therefore, we would not recommend using it. If you wish to learn more about the PUP and the ways it may put your system at risk we advise reading the rest of the article. However, if you have already decided to remove the suspicious application, you should slide below the text and use the available instructions.

Search.hmyutilitybox.co should travel with an extension called My Utility Box, which might be available on Chrome Web Store page, official software’s web page (myutilitybox.co), and various file-sharing web pages. If you do not understand how this PUP entered the system, it is possible you encountered it by downloading tools form torrent and other P2P file-sharing networks. As you see the add-on carrying Search.hmyutilitybox.co could be bundled with adware, browser hijackers, other PUPs, and so on. The worst part is this way users may not see the additional suggestions if they do not choose custom installation settings or pay close attention to all terms and conditions. Thus, to avoid installing programs, you do not need accidentally we would recommend reviewing all information on the configuration wizard more carefully in the future. On the other hand, perhaps it would be even smarter to stay away from sites that could distribute various threats? Besides, it might be easier to keep the system clean if you employ a reliable antimalware tool.

Just as we said earlier Search.hmyutilitybox.co may change some of the browser preferences right after you install My Utility Box. Our researchers discovered that all search queries submitted through the application’s search engine might be redirected to myutilitybox.co and after this, the user might receive modified Yahoo search results. The reason this could put your system at risk is there is a possibility such results could include unreliable advertising content from the third party. What shows it might be true is the PUP’s Privacy Policy document since it claims the application might gather various information about the user to “present you with offers for other products, offerings, programs, features and/or services that may be of interest to you.” It sounds to us as if the program could display targeted advertising content.

Also another statement from Search.hmyutilitybox.co End User License Agreement document says “You acknowledge and agree that you assume all the responsibility and risk for your Use of the Software and the results and performance thereof and your use of any Third-Party Software.” This could mean the user might be solely responsible for any consequences after the interaction with the application’s displayed ads. In other words, there are no guarantees such content cannot be potentially dangerous or even malicious. For instance, it could lead to scam web pages, sites containing malware, and so on. We do not claim this will necessarily happen, but you should know there is a possibility it might and if you would rather stay away from software, which could show you unreliable advertising it might be best to get rid of this PUP.

Users who would like to eliminate Search.hmyutilitybox.co manually could try following the instructions available below. The steps will list the data you may need to erase or alter and explain how to complete these tasks. If this process appears to be a bit too difficult and you feel you might be unable to handle it, you could employ a reliable antimalware tool instead, set it to scan the system and wait for the results to show up. Then just press the removal button, and all identified threats or suspicious tool should be erased at once.

Eliminate Search.hmyutilitybox.co

Internet Explorer

1. Press Win+R.
2. Type Regedit, and click OK.
3. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
4. Search for a value name called Start Page, right-click it and select Modify.
5. Replace value data (http://Search.hmyutilitybox.co) with a website you prefer and click OK.
6. Find this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes
7. Look for a key called {C8904AF0-6C2E-466B-82FC-B92AAA696E01}, right-click it and select Delete.
8. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
9. Find a key titled {28e56cfb-e30e-4f66-85d8-339885b726b8}, right-click it and click Delete.
10. Close Registry Editor.
11. Press Win+E.
12. Go to %APPDATA%
13. Find a folder named {28e56cfb-e30e-4f66-85d8-339885b726b8}, right-click it and press Delete.
14. Exit File Explorer.
15. Empty Recycle bin.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Press Win+E to open the Explorer.
2. Go to %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{user profile}\extensions
3. Search for a file titled web@Utility.xpi, then right-click it and select Delete.
4. Navigate to %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{user profile}
5. Look for a file titled prefs.js and open it with Notepad.
6. Find the following line user_pref(“browser.startup.homepage”, “search.hmyutilitybox.co”).
7. Replace the PUP’s link with a site you prefer.
8. Press Ctrl+S and close the document.
9. Empty Recycle bin.

Google Chrome

1. Press Win+E.
2. Search for listed paths one by one:
   %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\{Profile.*}\Extensions
   %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\{Profile.*}\Extensions
3. Look for folders called cpooojldmhfkhfhmoacpdihfakglidbf right-click them one by one and press Delete.
4. Find these two directories:
   %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Storage
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Storage
5. Search for the following files:
   chrome-extension_ cpooojldmhfkhfhmoacpdihfakglidbf _0.localstorage-journal
   chrome-extension_ cpooojldmhfkhfhmoacpdihfakglidbf _0.localstorage
6. Right-click then and select Delete.
7. Locate this path: %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
8. Right-click files called Preferences and Secure Preferences separately then erase them by clicking Delete.
9. Exit the Explorer.
10. Empty Recycle bin.