What is SysKey?
According to cyber threat analysts, SysKey is a browser extension which falls under the category of Browser hijackers. Browser hijacker is a kind of software that is created to change the web browser settings without the knowledge or permission of the computer user, and it usually redirects the affected system’s internet browser to certain advertisement-related web-pages. A browser hijacker redirects user web searches to its own web site, generates multiple pop-up ads, initiates numerous pop-ups, modifies the default internet browser search provider or home page and installs multiple toolbars on the web-browser. If your web-browser is infected by a browser hijacker you may need to follow manual steps or use a malware removal tool to revert changes made to your web browsers.
SysKey redirects user seaches to Yahoo
Most often, browser hijackers promote fake search providers by setting their address as the default search engine. In this case, the browser hijacker installs fxsmash.xyz as a search provider. This means that users whose web browser is infected with the browser hijacker are forced to visit fxsmash.xyz each time they search in the Web, open a new window or tab. And since fxsmash.xyz is not a real search provider and does not have the ability to find the information users need, this webpage redirects the user’s browser to the Yahoo search engine.
The computer security experts do not recommend having browser extensions suchas SysKey on the PC, as it is not known exactly what it does. In addition to the above, it can be used to collect lots of confidential information that can be later sold to third party companies. You don’t know if your home address, account names and passwords are safe. And of course you completely do not know what will happen when you click on any advertisements on the SysKey website.
If your PC system has been affected with the SysKey hijacker, you must have finished any of the steps above. Once you’ve cleaned your computer by following our suggestions below, make sure not to commit the same mistakes again in the future.
How can a browser hijacker get on your PC system
The majority of browser hijackers such as SysKey come along with freeware or even paid software that Internet users can easily download online. The installation packages of such programs, in many cases, clearly display that they will install bundled software. The option is given to users to stop the setup of any additional programs. So, in order to avoid the install of any browser hijackers: read all disclaimers and install screens very carefully, select only Custom or Advanced installation type and reject all additional applications in which you are unsure.
Threat Summary
| Name | SysKey |
| Type | startpage hijacker, search provider hijacker, browser hijacker, redirect virus, PUP |
| Associated domains | fxsmash.xyz |
| Affected Browser Settings | search provider, startpage, new tab page URL |
| Distribution | fake updaters, freeware setup files, shady pop-up ads |
| Symptoms | Advertising banners appear in places they shouldn’t be. Every time you perform an Internet search, your internet browser is rerouted to another webpage. There is an unwanted program in the ‘Uninstall a program’ section of your Control Panel. New icons on your desktop. Your PC system settings are being altered without your request. |
| Removal | SysKey removal guide |
How to remove SysKey from Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
There are a simple manual instructions below that will assist you to remove SysKey from your Windows PC. The most effective way to get rid of this hijacker is to complete the manual removal tutorial and then use Zemana Free, MalwareBytes Free or HitmanPro automatic tools (all are free). The manual method will assist to weaken this hijacker and the free malware removal tools will completely remove SysKey and return the IE, MS Edge, Chrome and Firefox settings to default.
To remove SysKey, perform the following steps:
How to manually get rid of SysKey
The useful removal instructions for the SysKey hijacker. The detailed procedure can be followed by anyone as it really does take you step-by-step. If you follow this process to get rid of SysKey browser hijacker let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.
Delete suspicious applications using MS Windows Control Panel
Check out the MS Windows Control Panel (Programs and Features section) to see all installed applications. We suggest to click on the “Date Installed” in order to sort the list of programs by the date you installed them. If you see any unknown and suspicious programs, they are the ones you need to remove.
- If you are using Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 then click Windows button, next click Search. Type “Control panel”and press Enter.
- If you are using Windows XP, Vista, 7, then press “Start” button and click “Control Panel”.
- It will display the Windows Control Panel.
- Further, click “Uninstall a program” under Programs category.
- It will open a list of all software installed on the personal computer.
- Scroll through the all list, and delete suspicious and unknown programs. To quickly find the latest installed software, we recommend sort programs by date.
See more details in the video guide below.
Remove SysKey hijacker from web browsers
If you have ‘SysKey hijacker’ removal problem, then remove unwanted extensions can help you. In the steps below we’ll show you the way to get rid of malicious extensions without reinstall. This will also help to remove SysKey hijacker from your web browser.
 Google Chrome |
 Mozilla Firefox |
|---|---|
You can also try to delete SysKey hijacker by reset Google Chrome settings. |
If you are still experiencing problems with SysKey browser hijacker removal, you need to reset Mozilla Firefox browser. |
 Internet Explorer |
 Safari |
Another solution to get rid of SysKey hijacker from IE is reset IE settings. |
|
Automatic Removal of SysKey
Is your Microsoft Windows computer affected by browser hijacker? Then don’t worry, in the following steps, we are sharing best malware removal utilities that can be used to delete SysKey from the Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox and your PC.
How to remove SysKey with Zemana AntiMalware
Zemana highly recommended, because it can find security threats such browser hijacker and adware that most ‘classic’ antivirus apps fail to pick up on. Moreover, if you have the SysKey browser hijacker removal problems which cannot be fixed by this utility automatically, then Zemana Anti-Malware provides 24X7 online assistance from the highly experienced support staff.
Now you can install and run Zemana to delete SysKey browser hijacker from your web-browser by following the steps below:
Click the link below to download Zemana Free installation package called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup on your computer. Save it on your Windows desktop or in any other place.
164030 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
Run the setup file after it has been downloaded successfully and then follow the prompts to install this utility on your device.
During install you can change certain settings, but we advise you do not make any changes to default settings.
When setup is done, this malicious software removal utility will automatically launch and update itself. You will see its main window as displayed in the figure below.
Now press the “Scan” button . Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) tool will start scanning the whole device to find out the SysKey hijacker. This task can take quite a while, so please be patient. When a malware, adware software or potentially unwanted software are found, the count of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the scanning is done.
Once that process is complete, you may check all threats detected on your computer. Make sure to check mark the items which are unsafe and then click “Next” button.
The Zemana Free will delete SysKey browser hijacker and move the selected threats to the Quarantine. When the task is finished, you can be prompted to restart your computer to make the change take effect.
Delete SysKey browser hijacker and malicious extensions with HitmanPro
The HitmanPro utility is free and easy to use. It can scan and delete browser hijackers, malicious software, potentially unwanted apps and adware from device (MS Windows 10, 8, 7, XP) and thereby revert back browsers default settings (search provider by default, startpage and new tab). Hitman Pro is powerful enough to scan for and delete malicious registry entries and files that are hidden on the device.
- Visit the following page to download the latest version of Hitman Pro for Windows. Save it on your Windows desktop.
- When the downloading process is complete, run the HitmanPro, double-click the HitmanPro.exe file.
- If the “User Account Control” prompts, press Yes to continue.
- In the HitmanPro window, click the “Next” for scanning your PC for the SysKey hijacker. Depending on your PC, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour.
- After that process is complete, a list of all threats found is created. In order to remove all threats, simply click “Next”. Now, press the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial to remove all malicious software found.
Use MalwareBytes to delete SysKey browser hijacker
Manual SysKey removal requires some computer skills. Some files and registry entries that created by the hijacker can be not fully removed. We suggest that use the MalwareBytes Free that are completely clean your computer of browser hijacker. Moreover, this free application will help you to get rid of malicious software, PUPs, adware and toolbars that your device can be infected too.
Download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) on your Microsoft Windows Desktop from the link below.
326383 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
When downloading is finished, close all programs and windows on your personal computer. Double-click the setup file called MBSetup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up as displayed on the screen below, click the “Yes” button.
It will open the Setup wizard which will help you install MalwareBytes on your PC system. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.
Once install is finished successfully, press “Get Started” button. MalwareBytes Free will automatically start and you can see its main screen as displayed in the figure below.
Now click the “Scan” button to detect SysKey browser hijacker. A system scan may take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your computer. While the MalwareBytes program is checking, you may see how many objects it has identified as threat.
When MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) is finished scanning your computer, a list of all threats found is created. Next, you need to click “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes Free will remove SysKey hijacker. After that process is complete, you may be prompted to restart the computer.
We recommend you look at the following video, which completely explains the procedure of using the MalwareBytes Free to delete adware software, browser hijacker and other malware.
How to stay safe online
To put it simply, you need to use an ad blocker tool (AdGuard, for example). It will block and protect you from any malicious web-sites, unwanted advertisements and popups. To be able to do that, the ad-blocker program uses a list of filters. Each filter is a rule that describes a malicious webpage, an advertising content, a banner and others. The adblocker program automatically uses these filters, depending on the web-sites you are visiting.
- Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you’ll need to download AdGuard by clicking on the link below. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
Adguard download
26627 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- When downloading is done, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- After the installation is done, press “Skip” to close the setup application and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you start your PC, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted ads, block harmful and misleading websites. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon called AdGuard, that can be found on your desktop.
Finish words
After completing the tutorial shown above, your personal computer should be clean from this hijacker and other malicious software. The MS Edge, Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox will no longer display unwanted ads on startup. Unfortunately, if the few simple steps does not help you, then you have caught a new hijacker, and then the best way – ask for help.
Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. Try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the SysKey hijacker.
