The internet is a wonderful place, but it’s not without its pitfalls. One of these pitfalls is browser hijackers, which can be frustrating and invasive.
Adtrack.king.com is one such browser hijacker that can take control of your web browser, change your homepage, and bombard you with unwanted ads.
If you’ve found your browser behaving strangely, you might be dealing with Adtrack.king.com.
But don’t worry, this article will guide you through the process of removing it from your system.
What is Adtrack.king.com?
Adtrack.king.com is a browser hijacker, a type of unwanted software that can modify your browser settings without your consent.
It is commonly used for marketing and advertising purposes. The hijacker redirects your web searches, displays annoying ads, and can even track your online activity.
In essence, Adtrack.king.com is a piece of unwanted software that sneaks onto your computer and attaches itself to your web browser.
Once it’s there, it engages in various activities that can range from mildly annoying to potentially harmful.
Homepage Hijacking:
One of the common tactics employed by Adtrack.king.com is to change your browser’s homepage to a website that you neither requested nor authorized.
This is done without your consent, and it can be quite frustrating for users.
Increased Advertisements:
Adtrack.king.com is designed to serve you an overwhelming number of ads, ranging from pop-ups and banners to in-text ads.
These advertisements can be invasive and disturb your web surfing, frequently promoting questionable products or services.
Search Engine Redirection:
Another hallmark of Adtrack.king.com is the redirection of your web searches. You may find that when you use your preferred search engine, you’re suddenly redirected to unfamiliar or less reliable search providers.
This can be particularly unsettling, as it can lead to irrelevant search results and even expose you to unreliable sources.
The overall objective of Adtrack.king.com, like other browser hijackers, is to generate advertising revenue and promote specific content, often at the expense of your online satisfaction and privacy.
Understanding what Adtrack.king.com is and how it operates is essential for recognizing its impact and, ultimately, taking action to remove it from your system.
How Does Adtrack.king.com Hijack Your Browser?
Adtrack.king.com usually finds its way onto your system through software bundling, deceptive downloads, or malicious ads.
When you install a seemingly legitimate program, this hijacker can piggyback on it, sneaking into your system unnoticed.
Additionally, clicking on suspicious links or downloading files from unreliable sources can lead to an Adtrack.king.com infection.
Signs Your Browser is Infected with Adtrack.king.com
It’s essential to recognize the signs of an Adtrack.king.com infection early on. These may include:
1. Altered Homepage:
You notice that your browser’s homepage has changed without your permission.
2. Increased Ads:
You’re bombarded with a sudden increase in unwanted ads, including pop-ups and banners.
3. Sluggish Performance:
Your browser becomes slow and unresponsive, affecting your online experience.
4. Search Engine Redirection:
Your web searches are redirected to unfamiliar search engines, displaying unrelated search results.
Why Should You Remove Adtrack.king.com?
While Adtrack.king.com may not be as malicious as some forms of malware, it can still have negative consequences for your online experience.
Here’s why you should remove it:
1. Privacy Concerns:
Browser hijackers can collect data about your online activities, compromising your privacy.
2. Performance Issues:
Adtrack.king.com can slow down your browser, making it frustrating to use.
3. Exposure to Other Threats:
Browser hijackers may expose your system to more dangerous malware.
4. Altered Browsing Experience:
Unwanted ads and frequent redirects can disrupt your browsing activities.
How to Manually Remove Adtrack.king.com
Here’s how to manually remove Adtrack.king.com from your browser:
Step 1: Remove Suspicious Browser Extensions
– For Google Chrome:
1. Open Chrome and click on the three-dot menu.
2. Go to More Tools> Extensions.
3. Find and remove any suspicious extensions.
– For Mozilla Firefox:
1. Launch Firefox and access the menu.
2. Go to Add-ons > Extensions.
3. Remove any unwanted extensions.
– For Microsoft Edge:
1. Open Edge and click on the three-dot menu.
2. Go to Extensions.
3. Remove any unfamiliar extensions.
Step 2: Change Your Browser Settings
– For Google Chrome:
1. Go to Settings.
2. Under On startup, select “Open a specific page or set of pages” and remove any unwanted pages.
3. Under Search engine, choose your preferred search engine.
– For Mozilla Firefox:
1. Open Options.
2. Under Home, set your preferred homepage.
3. Under Search, choose your preferred search engine.
– For Microsoft Edge:
1. Launch Microsoft Edge and navigate to Settings.
2. Under On startup, select “Open a specific page or pages” and remove unwanted pages.
3. Under Privacy, search, and services, choose your preferred search engine.
Step 3: Clean Your Browser’s Cache and Cookies
Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can help remove any Adtrack.king.com-related data.
How to Prevent Future Infections
Preventing future infections is crucial. Here are some steps to help you avoid browser hijackers like Adtrack.king.com:
1. Download from Trusted Sources:
Only download software from reputable websites.
2. Selective Installations:
When installing software, choose the custom or advanced installation options to avoid bundled software. The Adtrack.king.com browser hijacking usually occurs through these types of bundled software.
3. Keep Your System Updated:
Regularly update your operating system and software. In order to update your Windows, simply go to “Windows Update” and check for the latest updates.
4. Use Ad-Blocking Extensions:
Consider using ad-blocking browser extensions. I’m using the Adblock extension on Google Chrome to avoid any unnecessary ads on my page.
5. Be Cautious:
Be cautious when clicking on ads or links from untrustworthy sources.
6. Limited User Account:
Refrain from utilizing an administrator account for daily activities.
Conclusion
Adtrack.king.com is an intrusive browser hijacker that can disrupt your online experience.
Recognizing the signs of infection and taking prompt action to remove it is essential.
Follow the manual removal steps, or for a more effective solution, use anti-malware software.
Additionally, practice good browsing habits to prevent future infections.
With these measures, you can keep your browser hijacker-free and enjoy a safer, more pleasant online experience.
It’s me Mosaab, the founder and leading author of MalwareYeti.com. Over the years, I have gained a lot of experience when it comes down to building or fixing computers. Throughout my journey, I’ve built gaming PCs, fixed irritating Windows errors, and removed sticky malware/viruses that have affected machines. You can learn more about me on our About us page.