GetFormsOnline(.)Com Browser Hijacker Removal Tutorial

getformsonline-homepage-bestsecuritysearch
GetFormsOnline(.)com is a PUP and a possible browser hijacker. Software of this type infiltrates the computer system and changes the settings of its default browser. These changes include the browser’s homepage, new tab page, search engine, a toolbar and browser extensions might also be added. This kind of tweaking is rarely beneficial to the user and can be very disruptive of the computer’s day-to-day functions. That’s why it’s best that you remove PUPs and other malicious programs from your computer. To learn how and why it happens, check out the article bellow.


Name

Main Domain Address
GetFormsOnline.Com

Solution #1
The easiest way to remove and other browser hijackers from your computer is with the help of an anti-malware tool. This software will also protect your computer from severe cyber threats like ransomware

Solution #2
You can remove the browser hijacker by hand by carefully following all the guidelines of our step-by-step guide below.

Distribution
PUPs, malicious ads, bundle packs.

GetFormsOnlne(.)com – How Did I Get Infected?

Browser hijackers like GetFormsOnline(.)com often squeeze into computers through third-party bundle packages. These installs include PUPs and other types of unwanted content. They’re attached to program setup files, without properly notifying the user on what he or she is about to let into their system. If you want to avoid installing this type of unwanted software, the best way to do that is checking the Advanced or Custom options while installing any program and deselecting the bundled applications. Another way to prevent PUPs like GetFormOnline(.)com from getting into your computer is to avoid clicking ads or installing programs on shady looking websites.

More Details About GetFormsOnline(.)com

Browser hijackers like GetFormsOnline(.)com usually aim to collect information and distribute excessive internet advertisement. To do that, they take control of a number of functions in your browser. Hijackers change your homepage, new tab page, default search engine. A browser extension and a toolbar might also be installed. All of these changes make it easier for the developers of the hijackers to collect your information and display ads. The end-goal is financial profit. Your personal information is sold to, often dubious, third parties. The crooks also make money out of ads their hijacker puts in your browser. GetFormsOnline(.)com is no different, once it’s on your computer, it’ll change your homepage to a site of the same name. The hijacker is a product of MindSpark – a company notorious for creating intrusive content, including lots of PUPs. Browsers that can be affected are Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera, and others.
GetFormsOnline(.)com appears to be a site about legal information, though it’s hardly useful or intuitive, and it displays a large amount of “download” buttons, likely leading to yet more PUPs and needless applications. The site’s Privacy Policy section is the one of MindSpark(now renamed IAC Applications.) In it, it is stated that the site collects your;

  • Name
  • IP address
  • E-mail
  • Telephone number
  • Search engine history
  • Browser Records

Here’s a screenshot of their Privacy Policy
getformonline-hijacker-bestsecuritysearch
The policy states that your information is safe with them, but that’s not entirely true, as IAC Applications/MindSpark later admit that they share that information with other IAC businesses and third parties like their business partners, advertisement networks.

Remove GetFormsOnline(.)com

As you can see, this browser hijacker gives little benefit to its users. If somehow GetFormsOnline(.)com got into your system, the best course of action would be to remove it completely. The fastest way is to download an anti-malware program, but if you have the necessary tech skills, you might try to erase it yourself.

How to Enter Safe Mode

Booting Into Safe Mode in the Windows XP, Vista, 7 operating systems

  • Unplug devices such as USB flash drives, Memory Sticks, DVD’s, CD’s, anything that can be bootable
  • Now you have to decide which of the following methods is right for your computer. If you have:
  • One operating system on your PC, then press F8 repeatedly when you see the first boot screen after restarting your computer. If the Windows logo appears, repeat the same action until you enter the
    Multiple operating systems on your computer. This is very similar to booting with a single operating system. Press F8 repeatedly when you see the first boot screen. You just have to use the arrow keys to choose which system you should boot.
  • When the Advanced Boot Options appear, you should select the Safe Mode option with the arrow keys. Confirm the selection by pressing Enter
  • Log into your computer using the Administrator account

While you’re in safe mode, your screen will be windowed.

Booting into Safe Mode on the Windows 8, 8.1, and 10 Operating Systems

  • Open the Start menu
  • Hold down the Shift button and left-click on the Power icon, then click Restart
  • After the reboot, the Startup menu will appear. From there, choose Troubleshoot
  • From the Troubleshoot menu choose Advanced Options
  • Once you’re in Advanced Options, click on Startup Settings
  • Click Restart
  • A menu should appear after the reboot. Choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding key number. The PC will restart and boot into Safe Mode.

Remove/Uninstall GetFormsOnline(.)Com from Windows

Here’s a way to remove the program. This method will work regardless if you’re on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP. Simply selecting the program and pressing delete won’t work, as it’ll leave a lot of small files. That’s bad because these leftovers can linger on and cause all sorts of problems. The best way to delete a program is to Uninstall it. Here’s how you can do that:

  • Hold the “Windows” button (It’s between CTRL and Alt on most keyboards) and press “R.” You’ll see a pop-up window
  • In the textbox, type “appwiz.cpl”, then press “Enter.”
  • The “Programs and features” menu should now appear. It’s a list of all the programs installed on the PC. Here you can find the program, select it, and press Uninstall.
    Follow these instructions and you’ll be able to uninstall it successfully.

How to Remove GetFormsOnline(.)Com from Your Browser

Before resetting your browser’s settings, you should know that this action will wipe out all your recorded usernames, passwords, and other types of data. Make sure to save them in some way

Internet Explorer

    • Start Internet Explorer
    • Go to the Tools menu and click on Manage add-ons.
    • In the Manage add-ons window, bellow Add-on Types, select Toolbars and Extensions
    • If you see a suspicious toolbar, select it and click Disable
    • In Manage Add-ons window, in Add-on Types, Select Search Providers
    • Chose a search engine and click Set as default
    • Select the unknown search engine and click Remove and Close
    • Open the Tools menu, select Internet Options
    • In the General tab, in Home page, enter your preferred page
    • Click Apply and OK
    • On the desktop, right-click on Internet Explorer icon and select Properties
    • In the Properties window, under the Shortcut tab, in Target delete the text after iexplore.exe
    • Click Apply, click OK to save
    • Click Close

    Google Chrome

    • Start Google Chrome
    • On the upper-right corner, there a Customize and Control Google Chrome menu icon. Click on it, then click on Settings
    • Click Extension under Chrome
    • In the Extensions menu, click on the unknown extensions, then click on the trash bin icon
    • Under Chrome, Click on Settings
    • In Settings, under on Startup click Set pages
    • In the Startup pages menu, select the suspicious entries and click on X
    • Click OK
    • In Settings, under Appearance select the Show home button and click Change
    • In the Home page menu, click Use New Tab page and press OK
    • In the Settings window under Search, click on Manage search engines
    • Once you enter Search engines, select your search engine of choice and click Make default
    • In the default search settings list, find the unknown search engine and click on X
    • Click Done

    Mozilla Firefox

    • Start Mozilla Firefox
    • In the upper right corner, click on the Open menu icon and select Add-ons
    • Inside the Add-ons Manager select Extensions
    • Search the list of extensions for suspicious entries. If you find any, select them and click Disable
    • Click on the Open menu icon, then click Options
    • In the Options window, under General tab, Click Restore to Default
    • Click OK
    • In the Firefox window, right next to the URL field, click the down arrow icon. Select Manage Search Engines
    • In Manage Search Engines List window, select the unknown search engine and press Remove
    • Click OK

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Author : Joseph Steinberg

Joseph Steinberg is the editor-in-chief, lead content creator, and local father figure of Best Security Search. He enjoys hiking and rock climbing and hates the 12345678 and qwerty passwords.


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