EasyPackageTracker - How to remove

EasyPackageTracker is the name of a browser extension that also serves as a MyWay search redirect virus. If this add-on gets installed in your browser, Ask.com and MyWay.com can be set as your search providers, regardless of what site you actually want to use to search the web.

While EasyPackageTracker is not really dangerous – it’s just a search hijacker, a type of adware – it is considered a parasite by many cybersecurity vendors, as can be seen from this list of detections on VirusTotal. There are a few reasons for this: unwanted installation without your consent, unnecessary modifications to the browser, attempts to push other browser add-ons, the add-on just being adware that offers no useful features.

EasyPackageTracker sets a page that looks like hp.myway.com/EasyPackageTracker/ttab02/index.html as your new tab page, gives you a search bar in the middle of that page to capture and redirect your search queries, allows you to use a package-tracking website, and more links to somewhat-related websites. It’s a very poor example of a browser add-on and, even ignoring the hijacking, you can find better ways to track your packages; the fact that EasyPackageTracker collects your browsing data is just a cherry on top.

EasyPackageTracker is a search redirected, an adware infection that provides no benefit for the user:

Type of threat	Adware Browser hijacker
Problems with EasyPackageTracker	User browsing data tracking Unnecessary hijacking of browser settings Pushing of other search-redirecting add-ons Low-quality extension
Distribution	Adware infections Freeware that bundles PUPs Misleading ads and sites that demand EasyPackageTracker being installed Manual installation
EasyPackageTracker removal	Manually uninstall EasyPackageTracker and related browser add-ons Remove adware automatically with antivirus tools (Combo Cleaner for Mac, SpyHunter for PC)

How to avoid browser hijackers

EasyPackageTracker is not the only privacy-breaching tracker of your online behavior: PackageTracer, InternetSpeedUtility, FileConvertOnline, etc. These browser plugins barely deliver anything valuable to the user, but they don’t fail to take over the new tab page and force the MyWay search provider on their users.

There are signs that you shouldn’t trust EasyPackageTracker:

• No reviews from any of the tens of thousands of users of this add-on indicate that a lot of the users don’t know that this add-on is installed or completely ignore it.
• EasyPackageTracker is made by Ask Applications, which is already responsible for dozens of browser extensions, in fact, Mindspark (a sister company) is known as a PUP (potentially unwanted programs) distributor.
• The privacy policy talks about behavioral advertisements and allowing third parties to collect data about you for delivering personalized ads. This isn’t bad necessarily, but you should be aware of it.
• The permissions that EasyPackageTracker asks for (reading your browsing history, managing your extensions) are not needed for its functions of helping you track packages, only for tracking you.
• EasyPackageTracker’s installation page is deliberately vague about the fact that an extension is being promoted.

When considering installing an extension, pay attention to reviews, permissions, the reputation of the developer. But what about extensions using deception and getting installed without informing you properly? Adware infections, bad ads, freeware bundled with PUPs can infect your system with EasyPackageTracker and similar hijackers and you need to be very careful.

Sometimes, hijackers related package tracking, internet speed testing, document converting appear when you’re trying to use a website that offers those services. you might be given the impression that you are required to install this add-on. That’s not true, and if a site truly does require the extension, I guarantee that you can find another one that doesn’t.

Freeware bundling is used to spread PUPs, including unwanted toolbars and new tab viruses. If EasyPackageTracker was installed in your browser and you don’t know how, try to remember if you downloaded some freeware recently. The installers that carry unwanted software and install it alongside the main product are called bundlers and they’re supposed to help promote the additional programs but are misused to spread malware.

Adware viruses can promote or even download EasyPackageTracker, and they manipulate your browser in other ways, so if you’ve had problems with excessive pop-ups, consider that you might have an adware infection.

How to remove EasyPackageTracker

This extension EasyPackageTracker can be removed from your browser manually, the instructions are below. But some people do complain about browser hijackers being unremovable, with some options not functioning. In this case, it might be helpful to use an antivirus program, like Combo Cleaner (Mac OS) or SpyHunter (Windows), to check if any adware has infected your system. If a malicious application on your computer is preventing EasyPackageTracker from being removed, that needs to be removed first.

Also, make sure that your browser, OS, and antivirus tool are up-to-date and remember to be careful in the future. Malware is ubiquitous online and, often, being careful and reading the fine print is enough to avoid it. Though real-time protection will also help.

Automatic Malware removal tools

TopHow To remove EasyPackageTracker from Google Chrome:

• Click on the 3 horizontal lines icon on a browser toolbar and Select More Tools→Extensions
  
• Select all malicious extensions and delete them.
  
• Click on the 3 horizontal lines icon on a browser toolbar and Select Settings
  
• Select Manage Search engines
  
• Remove unnecessary search engines from the list
  
• Go back to settings. On Startup choose Open blank page (you can remove undesired pages from the set pages link too).
• If your homepage was changed, click on Chrome menu on the top right corner, select Settings. Select Open a specific page or set of pages and click on Set pages.
  
• Delete malicious search websites at a new Startup pages window by clicking “X” next to them.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to EasyPackageTracker, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on a Chrome’s menu button (three horizontal lines) and select Settings.
• Scroll to the end of the page and click on theReset browser settings button.
  
• Click on the Reset button on the confirmation box.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

TopHow to remove EasyPackageTracker virus from Internet Explorer:

How to remove EasyPackageTracker virus from Internet Explorer (older versions):

• Click on the arrow on the right of the search box.
• Do the following: on IE8-9 choose Manage Search providers, on IE7 click Change search defaults.
• Remove the EasyPackageTracker from the list.

How to remove EasyPackageTracker from IE 11:

• Click on the Settings icon (top right) → Manage Addons.
  
• Go through Toolbars and extensions. Remove everything related to EasyPackageTracker and items you do not know that are made not by Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, Oracle or Adobe.
  
• Select Search Providers.
  
• If any of these search providers is not available, follow “Find more search providers” in the bottom of the screen and install Google.
  
• Close the Options.
• If your homepage was changed, click on the Gear icon on the top right corner to open the Internet Explorer menu, select Internet options and choose General tab. Enter a preferable URL to the homepage field and click Apply.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to EasyPackageTracker, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Gear icon→Internet Options.
  
• Choose the Advanced tab and click on the Reset
• Select “Delete personal settings” checkbox and click on the Reset button.
  
• Click on the Close button on the confirmation box, then close your browser.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.