How to Get Rid of Fooriza (Browser Hijacker/PUP)

What is Fooriza? And how does it work?

Fooriza is a suspicious browser add-on that behaves like your typical browser hijacker. Our researchers categorized this browser extension as both a browser hijacker and a potentially unwanted program (PUP) due to the way it behaves. Fooriza is advertised as an extension that brings “best content online” which is why you shouldn’t believe everything you see or read in the internet. Since most potential threats and unwanted programs are promoted as useful tools using sugarcoated lies to encourage users to install them.

At the time of writing, Fooriza currently works on Google Chrome browser only. As soon as it enters your computer, this unwanted program is quick to change your default home page and search provider, a typical hijacker move. Once you use your browser with its new settings, courtesy of Fooriza of course, if you try to type in any search queries, it will pull up sponsored search results. So it’s crystal clear that the only thing this unwanted program is after is not to provide you “best contents online” but to benefit from pay-per click revenue by driving traffic to predetermined websites.

And as usual, this unwanted browser extension can also monitor all your browsing activities like your frequently visited sites, search queries, IP address and whatnot to provide you sponsored contents to match your preferences to lure you into clicking these ads.

How is Fooriza distributed?

Fooriza, just like most suspicious and unwanted programs are distributed through bundles of software offered by free sharing sites. So if you don’t recall installing or adding a Fooriza browser extension, then it could be because it was stealthily installed on your computer together with the free software you downloaded and installed which is another typical behavior of an unwanted program. To avoid unwanted programs like Fooriza, make sure you opt for the Advanced or Custom installation process instead of the quick one to avoid overlooking potential threats.

To get rid of Fooriza, follow these removal instructions:
Step 1: Launch Google Chrome.
Step 2: Click the wrench icon. And from the drop-down menu click on Tools and then select Extensions.

Step 3: Under the Extensions tab, select Fooriza or other suspicious browser extensions related to it and then click on the Trash icon.

Step 4: Click on Remove button from the confirmation dialog box.

Step 5: Reset Google Chrome. To do that, click the three stripes icon located at the upper-right corner of your screen. And then select Settings.

Step 6: under Settings, look for Show advanced settings at the bottom of the page and click on it.

Step 7: Then click on the Reset browser settings button.

Step 8: After that, a dialog box pops up, click the Reset button to Reset Chrome.

Step 9: After you reset Chrome, enable the Phishing and Malware Protection in Chrome to prevent PUPs like Fooriza from infecting your computer again in the future. To do that, click Settings once again.

Step 10: Select the Show advanced settings again.

Step 11: Go to the Privacy section and check the Enable phishing and malware protection option.

Step 12: Restart Chrome.

Step 13: Perform a full system scan using an excellent antivirus and anti malware program like SpyRemover Pro. Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot it.

After that, the BIOS screen will be displayed, but if Windows pops up instead, reboot your computer and try again. Once you’re on the BIOS screen, repeat pressing F8, by doing so the Advanced Option shows up.

To navigate the Advanced Option use the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit Enter.

Windows will now load the Safe Mode with Networking.

Press and hold both R key and Windows key.

If done correctly, the Windows Run Box will show up.

Type in explorer http://www.fixmypcfree.com/install/spyremoverpro

A single space must be in between explorer and http. Click OK.

A dialog box will be displayed by Internet Explorer. Click Run to begin downloading SpyRemover Pro. Installation will start automatically once download is done.