MergeDocsOnline Hijacker - How to remove

MergeDocsOnline (hp.myway.com/MergeDocsOnline/ttab02/index.html) takes over your new tab page, displays pop-up ads, and reads your browsing history. It’s presented as a utility for converting files to and from Doc, Pdf, and similar file types. And while it does give you that functionality, it’s low-quality and comes with way too many drawbacks. MergeDocsOnline hijacks your browser and takes control away from you.

MergeDocsOnline should be removed from your browser as soon as it’s discovered.

Short information on MergeDocsOnline	Browser hijacker, new tab page – hp.myway.com/MergeDocsOnline/ttab02/index.html, VirusTotal link.
How the hijacker gets installed	Installed by an unrelated free program, advertised deceptively.
MergeDocsOnline infection symptoms	Changed new tab page and homepage, web search results are returned in MyWay.com or Ask.com.
How to remove MergeDocsOnline	Uninstall or disable browser extensions that are unknown or that cause problems, Scan your computer (Combo Cleaner for Mac OS, SpyHunter for Windows, or another reliable tool) for malware.

How to remove MergeDocsOnline

MergeDocsOnline is compatible with Chrome, Firefox, as well as Internet Explorer. To remove it, just open your browser, go to settings, and find it among all the extensions that you have installed.

It would be good to check all of your extensions, actually. MergeDocsOnline is the one that’s hijacking your new tab page, but it might not be the only hijacker in your system. For example, you might have other hijackers that control your search settings, such as Search Extension by Ask. You can see exactly what an extension does by disabling all the other extensions for the moment. And if you find browser extensions that you are not familiar with, just remove them.

If you want to just handle this automatically, you can use an anti-malware scanner, such as Combo Cleaner for Mac or SpyHunter for PC. A reliable security program will be able to recognize MergeDocsOnline and other malicious browser extensions and get rid of them. In fact, scan your whole computer to check if there’s any malware on it. If so, it should be removed before it can cause any problems.

Distribution and symptoms of MergeDocsOnline hijacker

Distribution

Mostly, the MergeDocsOnline hijacker spreads by being installed by unrelated programs, pushed by other browser hijackers, and promoted by dishonest ads. It’s clear that it rarely gets the informed consent of the user installing it.

MergeDocsOnline might be installed after you download some freeware and miss the line in which you were told about MergeDocsOnline. You might have installed some unrelated extension and then found this hijacker in your browser. Or you might have tried to convert some files online, only to end up with MergeDocsOnline.

There’s no doubt that MergeDocsOnline and other hijackers use dishonest tactics to get installed. They use vague descriptions (like a button just called “Continue”) paired with strategic redirects to trick people into installing a browser hijacker without even realizing it.

Symptoms

Once installed, MergeDocsOnline changes your homepage and new tab page. The MergeDocsOnline page is an outdated-looking one, with a toolbar at the top and some links to popular websites – links that you cannot even customize.

MergeDocsOnline also prevents you from changing how you search the web.  The hijacker ignores default search settings and pushes its own website. Using the search bar that MergeDocsOnline provided takes you to MyWay.com, using the address bar might take you to Ask.com.

While MergeDocsOnline is controlling how you search the web, it can also spy on you to find what you are searching for. With enough data, advertisers can guess what ads to show you to maximize the chances that you’ll spend money.

How to avoid browser hijackers

One way to avoid installing malicious applications is to use an anti-malware program that can stop the suspicious activity and warn you. Real-time protection is useful here. But even without antivirus programs, you can recognize suspicious browser extensions and choose to stay away from them. At the same time, it’s also good to just not encounter malware at all.

• MergeDocsOnline is created by Mindspark, a company responsible for extensions like TelevisionAce, StreamlinedDIY, BigGameCountdown, and many others. You can recognize the company’s signature ads. Also, its hijackers always ask to get access to Myway.com and Ask.com sites. Be skeptical of Mindspark’s products.
• Another red flag to watch out for is fake reviews and lack of reviews. No reviews with thousands of users is definitely suspicious. It can happen when an extension is installed without users’ knowledge.
•  MergeDocsOnline and the other hijackers often get advertised on various controversial and not-completely-legal websites. When visiting these sites, not even ad-blockers might be able to stop all the aggressive pop-ups and redirects. Malicious ads pretend to be important software updates or tools needed to access a file or a stream. Be extra careful and remember that malware is always behind a corner.
• Blocking malicious websites using an antivirus program would help.

Automatic Malware removal tools

Manual removal

TopRemoving MergeDocsOnline Hijacker from Chrome

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Google Chrome window. Select “Settings”.
  
• Click “Extensions” on the left menu bar.
• Go through the extensions list and remove programs you do not need, especially similar to MergeDocsOnline. Click on the trash bin icon next to MergeDocsOnline Hijacker or other add-ons you want to remove.
  
• Press on the “Remove” button on the Confirmation window.
  
• If unsure, you can disable them temporarily.
  
• Restart Chrome.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

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

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

TopRemove malicious extensions from Internet Explorer

• Press on the Gear icon→Manage Add-ons.
  
• Go through Toolbars and extensions. Remove everything related to MergeDocsOnline Hijacker and items you do not know that are made not by Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, Oracle or Adobe.
  
• Close the Options.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

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

• Press on the Gear icon->Internet Options.
  
• Choose the Advanced tab and click on the Reset button.
  
• Select a “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.

TopRemoving MergeDocsOnline Hijacker from Firefox

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla window and select the “Add-ons” icon (or press Ctrl+Shift+A on your keyboard).
  
• Go through Extensions and Addons list, remove everything MergeDocsOnline related and items you do not recognise. If you do not know the extension and it is not made by Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, Oracle or Adobe then you probably do not need it.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to MergeDocsOnline Hijacker, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla Firefox window. Click on the Help button.
  
• Choose Troubleshooting Information on the Help menu.
  
• Click on the Reset Firefox button.
  
• Click on the Reset Firefox button on the confirmation box. Mozilla Firefox will close and change the settings to default.
  

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