Search.hmyutilitybox.co Removal Guide

It looks like Search.hmyutilitybox.co is another potentially unwanted program from untrustworthy developers known as Polarity Technologies Ltd. Like many other similar applications that we have already tested, it might change user’s homepage and other preferences with an unreliable search engine. Additionally, the software may provide a toolbar with links to sites offering features like calculator, calendar, notepad, and so on. Needless to say, you can have these utilities without installing this potentially unwanted program since many of them should be provided by the operating system. As for the offered news web pages or online translators, we would recommend bookmarking them instead of keeping Search.hmyutilitybox.co. That is because we suspect the application could show potentially harmful advertisements from various third parties. More information will be provided later in the text, and if you choose to listen to our advice about eliminating this suspicious application, you should take a look at the removal steps located below too.

Our specialists explain Search.hmyutilitybox.co might be a part of a browser extension called My Utility Box, which would mean the search engine is supposed to appear after the user adds the mentioned plugin. There are a few possible channels from where users could download it, for example, Chrome Web Store page, the application’s official site, sites offering pirated software or doubtful freeware, and so on. One way or another, if you downloaded this potentially unwanted program, it might mean you are a bit too careless when it comes to picking new tools. In which case we would recommend changing a few habits. For instance, before deciding what to install you should get all possible facts about the chosen tool. Once you are sure of its reliability, instead of looking for installers on untrustworthy file-sharing sites you should choose legitimate sites. Of course, for extra precaution it is always advisable to keep a reliable security tool just in case.

Once installed the mentioned extension may allow Search.hmyutilitybox.co replace your default search provider, new tab page, or start page. Below the address bar, you should see a toolbar with a second search box and a few links to sites providing local weather, news, calculator, calendar, etc. These features may look useful, but as we explained at the beginning of the text, it might be safer to bookmark the sites you like and get rid of this potentially unwanted program. As you see, we learned the application could collect information about your browsing habits to display targeted advertisements. Our specialists say such ads might appear among search results as Search.hmyutilitybox.co uses a modified search.yahoo.com version to gather them, and so it is possible it could inject the results with third-party ads.

Sadly, we cannot say where such ads could originate from, and this means there is a chance some of them might come from not necessarily legitimate sites, for example, web pages showing fictitious surveys or lotteries, asking to download fake updates, potentially unwanted programs, or even containing malware. Under such circumstances, we believe it would be safer to surf the Internet with a more reliable search engine like google.com or non-modified search.yahoo.com. If you think it would be for the best as well, we encourage you to follow the removal steps located below or acquire a reliable security tool and perform a full system scan to erase Search.hmyutilitybox.co at once.

Get rid of Search.hmyutilitybox.co

 Internet Explorer

1. Tap Win+R.
2. Insert Regedit and press OK.
3. Locate this directory: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
4. Find a value name known as Start Page, right-click it and choose Modify.
5. Instead of http://Search.hmyutilitybox.co add a link you would like and click OK.
6. Search for this directory: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes
7. Find a key named {C8904AF0-6C2E-466B-82FC-B92AAA696E01}, right-click it and choose Delete.
8. Locate this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
9. Search for a key called {28e56cfb-e30e-4f66-85d8-339885b726b8}, right-click it and press Delete.
10. Leave Registry Editor.
11. Tap Win+E and go to %APPDATA%
12. Right-click a directory named {28e56cfb-e30e-4f66-85d8-339885b726b8} and press Delete.
13. Leave File Explorer.
14. Empty your Recycle bin.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click Win+E.
2. Locate this path: %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{user profile}\extensions
3. Find a file named web@Utility.xpi, right-click it and choose Delete.
4. Search for this directory: %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{user profile}
5. Locate a file called prefs.js.
6. Open it as a Notepad document.
7. Look for this line: user_pref(“browser.startup.homepage”, “search.hmyutilitybox.co”).
8. Instead of search.hmyutilitybox.co add a link you like.
9. Press Ctrl+S.
10. Exit the document.
11. Empty your Recycle bin.

Google Chrome

1. Tap Win+E.
2. Locate the provided directories separately:
   %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\{Profile.*}\Extensions
   %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\{Profile.*}\Extensions
3. Find folders named cpooojldmhfkhfhmoacpdihfakglidbf, right-click them and choose Delete.
4. Go to these locations:
   %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Storage
   %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Storage
5. Find files called:
   chrome-extension_ cpooojldmhfkhfhmoacpdihfakglidbf _0.localstorage-journal
   chrome-extension_ cpooojldmhfkhfhmoacpdihfakglidbf _0.localstorage
6. Right-click these files and press Delete.
7. Search for this directory: %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
8. Locate files named Preferences and Secure Preferences.
9. Right-click them separately and choose Delete.
10. Leave File Explorer.
11. Empty your Recycle bin.