What is ScenicHomepage Toolbar?
If you see that your browser has a spectacular background image upon opening featuring a search website, there is a good chance that ScenicHomepage Toolbar has managed to sneak onto your system. While it is possible to install this tool officially and knowingly, it is more likely that you let it on board without noticing, as part of a package. The bad news is that such a software package may also contain malicious programs that could pose a threat to your system security. Our malware specialists at anti-spyware-101.com say that this bad toolbar was developed by Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc. who are famous for their questionable products, including MyScrapNook Toolbar, Video Scavenger Toolbar, and SafePCRepair Toolbar. We cannot say that these browser extensions are malicious or that they present a direct threat. Yet, it is possible that indirectly they can expose you to questionable third-party content. Therefore, we have labeled it as a potentially unwanted program, or in short, a PUP. We believe that it is not fully safe to have this PUP in your browsers because you cannot trust the search results it may show you. Thus, we suggest that you remove ScenicHomepage Toolbar from your computer.
Where does ScenicHomepage Toolbar come from?
As we have mentioned, it is possible to install this PUP directly from its official channels, its webpage (scenichomepage.com) and the Chrome web store (chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/scenichomepage/hhcmkedemkpbakpjdmpacbelgplbmgaf). We believe though that it is highly unlikely that you actually find this webpage or the tool in the store unless you know these URLs. Whenever you are about to install such a questionable extension, you should pay close attention to the pop-up that comes up before you can install your targeted application. This little window can be a “life saver” because it informs you about the rights you need to agree to give the app. Of course, most users overlook these and rush to click “Add extension.” This is how they end up with potentially harmful apps that may spy on them, share collected information with possibly questionable third parties, and expose them to questionable web content. Since you may not be sure yet why you should delete ScenicHomepage Toolbar from your browsers, let us go on with the risks.
One of the main issues that regard this PUP is that it can also be found spreading in freeware bundles. This simply means that there is a good chance that when you have this search page in your browsers, you may also find all kinds of other PUPs and malware infections on your system, including browser hijackers, fake alerts, adware programs, Trojans, and more. Such a package of potential and malicious threats may cause serious system security-related issues if you do not act in time. You can prevent such bundles from ending up on your system if you always use official pages for downloading software and updates, and if you try to avoid clicking on third-party content on suspicious pages, including online gaming, file-sharing, gambling, and porn sites. If you have a doubt about the cleanness of your system, we suggest that you delete ScenicHomepage Toolbar and detect all possible threat sources by using a reliable online malware scanner.
How does ScenicHomepage Toolbar work?
As we have said, this is yet another toolbar from the infamous Mindspark family. However, the first thing you may notice is that there is actually no toolbar at all. This tool provides you with nice background pictures that you can change as well as local weather information that you can either display or hide. These are the extra features this PUP offers you apart from the main “attraction,”i.e., the search engine itself. Unfortunately, this is also the questionable part. This tool uses a questionable search engine, search.myway.com, which is supposed to be “enhanced by Google” as it claims. We do not doubt that it uses the Google engine to display search results but we definitely doubt that you can trust these 100%. In fact, it is quite likely that this PUP will start to show you customized content through third-party ads and links; in other words, you may find ads and links among the original results, which have been added by this PUP based on information it has gathered about you. Such content may lead to malicious websites or simply drop other infections onto your system. Therefore, you should not click on anything that comes through this extension. As a matter of fact, it is time to remove ScenicHomepage Toolbar from your PC if you are ready to make up your mind about it.
How can I delete ScenicHomepage Toolbar?
The problem with this PUP and the whole family is that it is not enough to run the uninstaller which you may find in the installed programs list if you installed it for Internet Explorer. This uninstaller only takes care of your Internet Explorer and leaves the other two possibly affected browsers untouched. Therefore, you need to reset both Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome to be on the safe side. By resetting your browsers you set them to factory defaults, which removes all other possible browser-related threats as well. However, keep in mind that your preferences and extensions will also be gone. If you want to keep your PC safe and clean, we suggest that you start protecting it more efficiently by installing a reliable anti-malware program, such as SpyHunter. If you have other preferences, it is fine as long as you are sure you can trust your chosen security tool.
How to remove ScenicHomepage Toolbar from Windows
Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10
- Press Win+R and type control panel. Hit the Enter key.
- Pick Uninstall a program.
- Click on the application and press Uninstall.
Windows Vista and Windows 7
- Access the Start menu and choose Control Panel.
- Select Uninstall a program.
- Click on the application and press Uninstall.
Windows XP
- Click Start and go to Control Panel.
- Choose Add or Remove Programs.
- Click on the application and press Remove.
How to reset your browsers
Google Chrome
- Press Alt+F and go to Settings.
- Click Show advanced settings at the bottom.
- Click Reset settings at the bottom.
- Press Reset in the pop-up.
Mozilla Fir efox
- Press Alt+H and go to Troubleshooting information.
- Press Refresh Firefox.
- In the confirmation window, press Refresh Firefox again.
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