What is Weekly Hits extenion?
Weekly Hits is a Chrome browser extension that allow users to easy access to the top weekly lyrics, but according to security experts, this extension functions as adware that changes browser settings to redirect users to the weeklyhits.xyz fake search engine. Adware is a type of Malware that collects your sensitive information and serves you unwanted ads. Adware is designed to generate revenue for its developer and extract data from the affected computer for marketing purposes. Adware can display online advertisements using pop-ups, web pages and fake search results. Adware can install multiple toolbars, slow down the computer, and potentially crash the system.
Adware can be installed on computers through various means. This can be through a freeware or shareware installation, when users open email attachments, install fake updates and click on a malicious linke.
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Weekly Hits extension virus in detail
Weekly Hits extension is malicious browser extension for Google Chrome. It is designed to change your browser settings (homepage, search engine, newtab URL, etc), redirect your searches and display unsolicited advertisements while it is running on a computer. It can inject fake results into search pages and can also inject malicious ads into legitimate sites or trigger unclosable pop-up windows in Chrome. The goal of its creators is to earn commission money fraudulently by abusing pay-per-view or pay-per-click advertising schemes.
Weekly Hits extension redirects you to the weeklyhits.xyz fake search engine. And since weeklyhits.xyz is not a real search provider and does not have the ability to find the information you need, it redirects you to Bing search engine. Weekly Hits developers use a legitimate search engine as they can make money from ads displayed in search results.
Attackers can use this adware to redirect you to work-at-home scams, various diet pills scams, fake virus alerts that trick you to buy or install applications that are not needed, pornographic content, fake online surveys and other malicious and scam websites. Below are some examples of such sites:
Another reason why it is necessary to remove the Weekly Hits extension is that it is able to monitor and report on your activity and provide information to a third party. It can install a component (spyware) that enables its creators to track which web pages you visit, what products you look at upon those pages. They are then choose the type of ads they show you. So, if you have adware installed on your personal computer, there is a good chance that you have another that collects and shares your sensitive information with third parties without your consent.
Malware can use various techniques to prevent its removal, Weekly Hits is no exception, this extension can use the Managed by your organization function for the same purpose.
In summary, Weekly Hits Chrome extention can seriously affect your privacy, your computer’s performance and security.
How does Weekly Hits extension get on your computer
A common way for attackers to install adware on computers is through file sharing websites and torrents by masquerading as program installers, hacked software and key generators for commercial games and programs. Malicious ads are also used to push adware. Examples of scam pages that are designed to trick users into installing malicious browser extensions:
Threat Summary
Name | Weekly Hits, Chrome Extension Weekly Hits, Weekly Hits Chrome |
Type | adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), pop up virus, pop-ups, pop up ads |
Related web domains | weeklyhits.xyz |
Symptoms |
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Removal | Weekly Hits removal guide |
How can you protect against adware?
There are a number of methods that you can use to protect against malicious adware. It is better to use them together, this will provide stronger protection.
- Use an ad blocker. Ad blockers allow you to browse sites without ads, thus eliminating the possibility of clicking on something malicious and preventing it from being downloaded to the machine.
- Pay for premium versions of popular services. The easiest way to avoid adware is to pay for the service you use. Many Internet services make it possible to use them without ads if you purchase a premium subscription. This helps ensure that malicious adware cannot reach you.
- Buy devices from trusted companies with built-in security. There have already been many cases where people who bought inexpensive Android devices found that adware was already installed on their devices. Cheap Android devices do not receive security updates and are therefore particularly susceptible to infection and should be avoided.
- Use an antivirus. Most antivirus programs can block malicious adware. Some malicious adware can block antiviruses, in which case a more aggressive method should be used, which is to use adware removal software. This software can detect and remove adware that has a negative impact on the device.
How to remove Weekly Hits extension (Adware removal guide)
The answer is right here on this page. We have combined simplicity and efficiency. This guide will help you easily remove adware and get rid of unwanted ads. In addition, you can choose a manual or automatic removal method. If you are familiar with computer, use manual removal, otherwise, run a free anti-malware tool created specifically to remove adware. Of course, you can combine both methods. Read it once, then bookmark this page (or open it on your smartphone), as you may need to exit your internet browser or restart your computer.
To remove Weekly Hits, follow the steps below:
- Check the list of installed software
- Remove Weekly Hits extension from Google Chrome
- Automatic Removal of Weekly Hits adware
- How to stay safe online
The step by step guide developed by our team will allow you to manually remove Weekly Hits extension virus from your internet browser. If you are not good with computers, we recommend using the free utilities listed below.
Check the list of installed software
Take a look at the list of installed softwar on your computer and see if there are any suspicious and unknown programs. If you see any, you need to delete them. Of course, before doing so, you can do an Internet search to find details on the program. If it is a potentially unwanted program, adware or malware, you will likely find information that says so.
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Remove Weekly Hits extension from Google Chrome
This extension can use various techniques (Managed by your organization, Installed by enterprise policy, Installed by your administrator) to prevent its removal.
To remove the Weekly Hits extension, start the Google Chrome. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal dots ().
It will display the Google Chrome menu. Choose More Tools, then press Extensions.
Carefully browse through the list of installed extensions. Find extension Weekly Hits and click Remove.
After you uninstall this extension, it is recommended to reset your browser settings. This will restore the settings changed by malware. It will also clear cookies, content and site data, temporary and cached data. However, your saved passwords and bookmarks will not be changed, deleted or cleared.
Open the Google Chrome menu once again. Further, click the option called “Settings”.
The web-browser will show the settings screen. Another method to display the Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the internet browser adress bar and press Enter
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the “Reset” section is visible, as on the image below and press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
Chrome will open the confirmation dialog box as displayed in the following example.
You need to confirm your action, press the “Reset” button. The web browser will start the process of cleaning. Once it is complete, the internet browser’s settings including default search engine, home page and new tab page back to the values which have been when the Google Chrome was first installed on your computer.
Automatic Removal of Weekly Hits adware
The easiest method to remove Weekly Hits virus is to use an antimalware program capable of detecting adware. We suggest MalwareBytes Anti-Malware or another free malicious software remover that listed below. It has excellent detection rate when it comes to adware, browser hijackers and other PUPs.
Use MalwareBytes to get rid of Weekly Hits adware
We suggest using MalwareBytes AntiMalware which will completely clean your computer of adware. This free utility is an advanced malware removal program developed by (c) Malwarebytes Lab. This program uses the world’s most popular anti-malware technology. It can help you get rid of unwanted ads from your web browsers, remove PUPs, malware, browser hijackers, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your computer for free.
MalwareBytes can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your Microsoft Windows desktop.
326381 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
After the downloading process is done, run it and follow the prompts. Once installed, the MalwareBytes AntiMalware will try to update itself and when this procedure is done, click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this utility for the Weekly Hits adware. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient. During the scan MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will find threats present on your computer. In order to remove all threats, simply click “Quarantine” button.
MalwareBytes AntiMalware is a free malware remover that you can use to remove all detected folders, files, services, registry entries and so on. To learn more about this malware removal utility, we recommend you to read the instructions and follow the video guide below.
Use HitmanPro to remove Weekly Hits
Hitman Pro is a free malware removal tool that can scan your computer for a wide range of security threats such as malicious software, adware, potentially unwanted programs as well as Weekly Hits. It will perform a deep scan of your personal computer including hard drives and Windows registry. Once a malicious program is detected, it will help you to remove this security threat from your personal computer by a simple click.
Hitman Pro can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your Desktop.
When the downloading process is finished, open the file location. You will see an icon like below.
Double click the Hitman Pro desktop icon. After the tool is started, you will see a screen as shown below.
Further, click “Next” button . Hitman Pro program will scan through the whole computer for the Weekly Hits adware. When HitmanPro completes the scan, the results are displayed in the scan report as shown in the figure below.
When you are ready, click “Next” button. It will display a prompt, click the “Activate free license” button.
How to stay safe online
We recommend installing an ad blocking program. An ad blocking tool like AdGuard is a program that basically removes ads from the Internet and blocks access to malicious and scam pages. What’s more, security experts say that using ad-blocking apps is essential to staying safe when browsing the internet.
- Download AdGuard from the following link.
Adguard download
26627 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- Once downloading is finished, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- When the install is finished, press “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will help you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you run your PC, AdGuard will run automatically and stop unwanted ads, block malicious and scam websites. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon named AdGuard, that is located on your desktop.
Finish words
Once you have removed the Weekly Hits adware using the few simple steps, Google Chrome will no longer display any unwanted ads. Unfortunately, if the few simple steps does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help here.