What is ExpandedQuest

ExpandedQuest browser hijacker is also known as a redirect virus, and is primarily an infection that targets Macs. Because they’re not directly damaging, browser hijackers are not harmful infections even if many users call them viruses. The hijackers are not completely benign, however, because their prime purpose is to redirect you to sponsored pages and generate revenue. Hijackers install rather secretly but once they’re in, they’re very noticeable infections. Sponsored content will be mixed in among real search results, you’ll be redirected to bizarre sites, and your browser will generally show strange behaviour. Users will not necessarily see weird browser behaviour as a sign of a hijacker, however, if they are not aware of what it is. But if they were to google the page they’re redirected to, they would find results pointing to a hijacker. ElementaryUnit Adware

Your browser’s settings will also be changed, in addition to redirecting to strange pages. You will notice that your browser now has a different homepage/new tabs, and annulling annulling what has been changed might be hard. The hijacker generally modifications your settings so it could redirect you.

Hijackers can’t install by themselves as they are not malware or viruses, despite what a lot of users think. Usually, users don’t even know they install them themselves. Pests like hijackers, adware and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) come as added items added to free software, and together with the freeware, users end up installing the items that have been attached as well. Continue reading to learn how you can prevent these undesirable installations in the future.

Despite the fact that it might be a somewhat minor infection, we suggest that you remove ExpandedQuest from your Mac promptly. Take into consideration that it could expose you to highly unreliable content, including malware and scams, in addition to disrupting your usual browsing.

How does a hijacker install

Browser hijackers use freeware to install, as we’ve mentioned above. Software bundling is what this method is called, and it’s basically attaching hijackers and other additional items to popular freeware. Users are generally not made of aware of any offers being attached but they are authorized to install alongside, which is why bundling programs is pretty dubious. Fortunately, it isn’t difficult to prevent these offers from installing, as long as you pay attention to how you install free programs.

When installing freeware, choosing Advanced (Custom) settings is vital. If you use Default mode during free programs installation, the added items will be hidden from you. Any extra offer will be unhidden in Advanced, and you shouldn’t have any trouble deselecting it. These not wanted installations may be prevented by just unchecking the offers. Initially preventing unnecessary installations takes very little time, but it takes ages to eliminate threats that have been allowed to install. Furthermore, if you pay attention during software installation, you’ll avoid your device filling up with clutter.

What does the ExpandedQuest do

Symptoms of a redirect virus threat will become noticeable immediately as your Safari, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browser will be hijacked, and odd redirects will happen. Your browser’s settings will be changed by the hijacker so that your homepage is set to load its promoted site, and whenever your browser is opened, that’s the site you will see. You should also notice that your search engine is now different. Every time you use your browser address bar for searches, you will be redirected to the hijacker’s page and then get your search results. You’ll quite quickly see that something isn’t right with the search results since sponsored content will be inserted among them. Since the prime goal of a hijacker is generating traffic and revenue, it redirects users to those sponsored web pages. A weird redirect can be highly aggravating, and the websites might also be damaging. Therefore, it’s advised to not interact with any sponsored content or advertisements while the redirect virus remains present. Bear in mind that the sites you will be led to will be unsafe because hijackers don’t check whether their sponsored websites are secure. One of those sponsored websites may be hosting harmful malicious software or attempting to trick you into participating in a scam. Hijackers aren’t especially harmful but you shouldn’t allow them to stay installed either.

We should also note that browser hijackers have a tendency to spy on users, and compile information about what they search for, what content they engage with, websites visited, their IP addresses, etc. The hijacker may later share the data with unfamiliar third-parties, and it is doubtful you want that.

In short, the hijacker did not request your explicit permission to install, made undesired modifications to your browsers, began redirecting you to sponsored web pages so as to generate revenue, and possibly subjected you to unreliable content. While the infection is not the most severe one, ExpandedQuest elimination is necessary.

How to uninstall ExpandedQuest from your Mac computer

In order to ensure the process is successful, we strongly suggest you use anti-spyware software ExpandedQuest removal. By using anti-spyware programs, you can ensure the infection is gone fully. Manual ExpandedQuest deletion is also possible, if you ensure no hijacker leftovers remain. If ExpandedQuest elimination is successful, you may change your browser’s settings back to what they were.

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Quick Menu

Step 1. Uninstall ExpandedQuest and related programs.

Remove ExpandedQuest from Windows 8

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel choose Programs and Features and select to Uninstall a software.

Delete ExpandedQuest from Windows 8

Uninstall ExpandedQuest from Windows 7

Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features → Uninstall a program.

Uninstall ExpandedQuest from Windows 7

Delete ExpandedQuest from Windows XP

Click Start → Settings → Control Panel. Locate and click → Add or Remove Programs.

Remove ExpandedQuest from Windows XP

Remove ExpandedQuest from Mac OS X

Click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications. Select applications folder and look for ExpandedQuest or any other suspicious software. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash, then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

ExpandedQuest removal from MAC OS X

Step 2. Delete ExpandedQuest from your browsers

Terminate the unwanted extensions from Internet Explorer
  1. Tap the Gear icon and go to Manage Add-ons. ExpandedQuest IE gear
  2. Pick Toolbars and Extensions and eliminate all suspicious entries (other than Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Oracle or Adobe) ExpandedQuest IE toolbars and extensions
  3. Leave the window.
Change Internet Explorer homepage if it was changed by virus:
  1. Tap the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of your browser and click Internet Options. ExpandedQuest IE gear
  2. In General Tab remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Press Apply to save changes. ExpandedQuest IE toolbars and extensions
Reset your browser
  1. Click the Gear icon and move to Internet Options. ExpandedQuest IE options
  2. Open the Advanced tab and press Reset. ExpandedQuest IE reset browser
  3. Choose Delete personal settings and pick Reset one more time. ExpandedQuest IE reset
  4. Tap Close and leave your browser. ExpandedQuest IE close
  5. If you were unable to reset your browsers, employ a reputable anti-malware and scan your entire computer with it.
Erase ExpandedQuest from Google Chrome
  1. Access menu (top right corner of the window) and pick Settings. ExpandedQuest Chrome menu
  2. Choose Extensions. ExpandedQuest Chrome settings
  3. Eliminate the suspicious extensions from the list by clicking the Trash bin next to them. ExpandedQuest Chrome extensions remove
  4. If you are unsure which extensions to remove, you can disable them temporarily. ExpandedQuest Chrome extensions disable
Reset Google Chrome homepage and default search engine if it was hijacker by virus
  1. Press on menu icon and click Settings. ExpandedQuest Chrome menu
  2. Look for the “Open a specific page” or “Set Pages” under “On start up” option and click on Set pages. ExpandedQuest Chrome settings
  3. In another window remove malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage. ExpandedQuest Chrome extensions remove
  4. Under the Search section choose Manage Search engines. When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search websites. You should leave only Google or your preferred search name. ExpandedQuest Chrome extensions disable
    ExpandedQuest Chrome extensions disable
Reset your browser
  1. If the browser still does not work the way you prefer, you can reset its settings.
  2. Open menu and navigate to Settings. ExpandedQuest Chrome settings more
  3. Press Reset button at the end of the page. ExpandedQuest Chrome advanced menu
  4. Tap Reset button one more time in the confirmation box. ExpandedQuest Chrome reset
  5. If you cannot reset the settings, purchase a legitimate anti-malware and scan your PC.
Remove ExpandedQuest from Mozilla Firefox
  1. In the top right corner of the screen, press menu and choose Add-ons (or tap Ctrl+Shift+A simultaneously). ExpandedQuest Firefox add ons
  2. Move to Extensions and Add-ons list and uninstall all suspicious and unknown entries. ExpandedQuest Firefox extensions
Change Mozilla Firefox homepage if it was changed by virus:
  1. Tap on the menu (top right corner), choose Options. ExpandedQuest Firefox reset confirm
  2. On General tab delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default. ExpandedQuest Firefox reset confirm
  3. Press OK to save these changes.
Reset your browser
  1. Open the menu and tap Help button. ExpandedQuest Firefox help
  2. Select Troubleshooting Information. ExpandedQuest Firefox troubleshooting
  3. Press Refresh Firefox. ExpandedQuest Firefox reset
  4. In the confirmation box, click Refresh Firefox once more. ExpandedQuest Firefox reset confirm
  5. If you are unable to reset Mozilla Firefox, scan your entire computer with a trustworthy anti-malware.
Uninstall ExpandedQuest from Safari (Mac OS X)
  1. Access the menu.
  2. Pick Preferences. ExpandedQuest Safari menu
  3. Go to the Extensions Tab. ExpandedQuest Safari extensions
  4. Tap the Uninstall button next to the undesirable ExpandedQuest and get rid of all the other unknown entries as well. If you are unsure whether the extension is reliable or not, simply uncheck the Enable box in order to disable it temporarily.
  5. Restart Safari.
Reset your browser
  1. Tap the menu icon and choose Reset Safari. ExpandedQuest Safari reset menu
  2. Pick the options which you want to reset (often all of them are preselected) and press Reset. ExpandedQuest Safari reset
  3. If you cannot reset the browser, scan your whole PC with an authentic malware removal software.

 

Site Disclaimer

2-remove-virus.com is not sponsored, owned, affiliated, or linked to malware developers or distributors that are referenced in this article. The article does not promote or endorse any type of malware. We aim at providing useful information that will help computer users to detect and eliminate the unwanted malicious programs from their computers. This can be done manually by following the instructions presented in the article or automatically by implementing the suggested anti-malware tools.

The article is only meant to be used for educational purposes. If you follow the instructions given in the article, you agree to be contracted by the disclaimer. We do not guarantee that the artcile will present you with a solution that removes the malign threats completely. Malware changes constantly, which is why, in some cases, it may be difficult to clean the computer fully by using only the manual removal instructions.

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