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How to remove GiftHulk – Search.gifthulk.com redirect virus removal (Uninstall guide)

What is the GiftHulk virus (redirect)?

The GiftHulk virus, or Search GiftHulk redirection virus are terms for a legitimate yet questionable and invasive website, search engine, Facebook app, as well as browser helper object, add-on, extension, and Toolbar. In some cases GiftHulk has reported to install software without consent such as the GiftHulk Toolbar, as well as change internet browser settings such as the home page and default search engine causing browsers to start up on the GiftHulk search engine and redirect to search.gifthulk.com and other websites. GiftHulk has also been reported to “hijack” Facebook accounts.

remove gifthulk malware

For general classification, GiftHulk is listed as malware, under the browser hijacker category, though GiftHulk is not entirely malicious. GiftHulk virus may also refer to the GiftHulk Toolbar; a browser helper object for Microsoft Operating Systems, that primarily attaches to Mozilla Firefox, aside from Internet Explorer and Google Chrome.

search gifthulk redirect

Search results displayed on the Gift Hulk search engine may contain confusing links, which mask advertisements with relative search results in order to persuade users to click third-party adverts to generate revenue for gifthulk.com. Furthermore, gifthulk.com advertisements may promote unethical third-parties, including scareware used to scare-monger victims into purchasing unnecessary computer security software and tools.

What is GiftHulk.com (Gifthulk.com review)?

GiftHulk (GiftHulk.com) is a website similar to SwagBucks that allows users to complete searches, watch videos (GHTV GiftHulk TV), and do other things online to earn Hulk Coins and prizes. Many users have complained that GiftHulk is difficult to remove or uninstall, including the GiftHulk Toolbar, as well as difficult to contact GiftHulk for support. GiftHulk may also make it difficult to close your account, often ignoring emails, and “asking questions” as a persuasion in public forums as opposed to submitting to removal requests or answering questions concerning the removal and privacy of GiftHulk and GiftHulk Toolbar.

gifthulk virus removal

GiftHulk uses social media accounts to log in and use their services. In order to use GiftHulk you will need a social media account (fake or real). GiftHulk is considered extremely invasive, though many users comply and manually agree to potentially unethical terms.

GiftHulk access public profile

GiftHulk accesses your Facebook account information including your public profile, friends list, email address and birthday. It has been concluded that information collected by GiftHulk may enlist users to marketing lists without knowledge. Many users have complained of excessive email spam, junk mail, and unwanted phone calls from telemarketers.

GiftHulk post to your friends on your behalf

Some users complain that GiftHulk hijacked their Facebook account. While this may or may not be the case, GiftHulk is allowed to post to your Facebook friends on your behalf. Users have complained of post spam and message spam containing unethical links, including common Facebook scams and ipad scams.

How to remove GiftHulk malware (hijacker)

  1. Uninstall GiftHulk Toolbar – Use the correct procedures to uninstall GiftHulk Toolbar (2 options)
  2. Scan computer for malware – Scan for and remove additional malware infecting your computer
  3. Automatically repair browser settings – Automatically remove hijacked GiftHulk browser settings and automatically uninstall GiftHulk Toolbar
  4. Manually remove search.gifthulk.com homepage
  5. Manually remove search.gifthulk.com search engine
  6. Manually remove GiftHulk Facebook app

 

1. Uninstall GiftHulk Toolbar (2 options)

Option 1: Windows Uninstall (Manual Uninstall)

1. Access Windows Start Menu and navigate to the Control Panel.

Uninstall a program

2. Click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program (depending on your version of Windows).

3. In the list of installed programs search for GiftHulk Toolbar and other suspicious third party programs. Uninstall GiftHulk Toolbar and unwanted software by double clicking the program’s icon, or highlight the program in the list and click the Uninstall button/tab.

Option 2: CCleaner by Piriform (Automated Uninstall)

CCleaner by Piriform

CCleaner can be used to uninstall GiftHulk Toolbar if it’s difficult to remove. CCleaner is notorious for removing similar hijackers such as Conduit Search.

1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform and run the program.

Purchase CCleaner for $24.95*   Free Download

2. Once installed, navigate to ToolsUninstall tab and locate GiftHulk Toolbar and other unwanted software in the list. To automatically uninstall GiftHulk Toolbar and other software click Run Uninstaller.

2. Scan computer for malware (Automated removal)

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can be used to detect and remove additional and/or third-party malware from your computer system, including malware that may be responsible for symptoms of the GiftHulk virus.

1. Install the free or paid version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.

Purchase Malwarebytes PRO   Free Download

2. Once Malwarebytes is installed, run the program. If you are using the free version of Malwarebytes you will be prompted to update the database, please do so.

3. Open the first tab labeled “Scanner” and select the Perform full scan option. Click the Scan button to perform a full system scan. Malwarebytes will automatically detect malware infecting your computer system.

Malwarebytes Perform Full Scan

4. Once the full system scan is complete, Malwarebytes may prompt a message stating malicious objects were detected. Select the malicious objects and click the Remove Selected button to completely remove the malicious files from your computer (the image below shows a file that is NOT selected).

Malwarebytes Gadgetbox

3. Automatically repair browser settings (Automated repair)

CCleaner by Piriform

CCleaner can also be used to repair internet browser settings and stop your browser from redirecting to http://search.gifthulk.com and other websites.

1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform and run the program.

Purchase CCleaner for $24.95*   Free Download

CCleaner Analyze Cleaner

2. Once installed, run the program and navigate to Cleaner > Windows/Applications and click the Analyze button. Afterwards, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.

CCleaner Startup

3. Next, navigate to Tools > Startup and search through each tab starting from windows, internet explorer, etc., all the way to Content Menu, for additional suspicious entries and click Disable and Delete once anything is found. Look for anything that may be suspicious or contain “GiftHulk” or simply “gift” in the title or filename.

4. Manually remove search.gifthulk.com homepage

  • In Mozilla Firefox navigate to Tools > Options or click Firefox in the top left corner and click Options > Options. Under the General tab remove search.gifthulk.com from the “Home Page:” field and replace it with your preferred home page URL.
  • In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools >Internet Options. Remove search.gifthulk.com from the Home Page field and replace it with your preferred URL.
  • In Google Chrome click the customize icon (wrench or 3 bars) and navigate to Settings.Click “Set pages” under the On startup option. Remove search.gifthulk.com and replace it with your preferred URL.

5. Manually remove search.gifthulk.com search engine

  • In Mozilla Firefox, click the small search magnify glass near the search box (not url/search field) and click “Manage Search Engines…”. Remove the search.gifthulk.com search engine from the list of search providers by highlighting the selections and clicking remove.
  • In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools > Manage Add Ons > Search Providers and remove the search.gifthulk.com search engine from the list.
  • In Google Chrome, click the customize icon (wrench or 3 bars) and navigate to Settings > Manage search engines… click the X next to search.gifthulk.com to remove it as your search engine.

Please note, If www.search.gifthulk.com is set as Google Chrome’s default search engine, add (or select) a new search engine (such as Google.com) and select the new search engine as the default search engine, then remove www.search.gifthulk.com by clicking the X next to it.

6. Remove GiftHulk Facebook App

GiftHulk attaches to Facebook manually and voluntarily as an application allowing it to “hijack” Facebook users, though has been reported to do so without consent or knowledge.

1. Login to Facebook and click the Facebook options icon on the top right of the blue Facebook bar and select Account Settings.

Facebook account settings

2. On the left sidebar click Apps.

Facebook Apps removal

3. To remove the GiftHulk Facebook App, locate GiftHulk and click the X on the far right side.

remove gifthulk facebook app

4. When prompted by the Remove GiftHulk window (image below is not GiftHulk), check the box that says Delete all your GiftHulk activity on Facebook and click the Remove button.

Remove Flipora activity on Facebook

Related links:

Jared Harrison

Jared Harrison is an accomplished tech author and entrepreneur, bringing forth over 20 years of extensive expertise in cybersecurity, privacy, malware, Google Analytics, online marketing, and various other tech domains. He has made significant contributions to the industry and has been featured in multiple esteemed publications. Jared is widely recognized for his keen intellect and innovative insights, earning him a reputation as a respected figure in the tech community.

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