What is Headlinealley Toolbar (Headlinealley)?
Headlinealley Toolbar (Headline Alley Toolbar), also referred to as the Headlinealley virus, Headlinealley Toolbar virus, or Headlinealley malware, is a potentially unwanted program (PUP), or potential malware, categorized as an internet browser hijacker that “hijacks” Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer browser settings without permission, including the home page, default search engine, and browser shortcut. In turn, Headlinealley Toolbar causes internet browsers to redirect to headlinealley.com releated websites, including mywebsearch.com, delta-search.com, and other domain names. Headlinealley Toolbar also causes internet browsers to target and ultimately start up on unwanted websites and the Headlinealley virus allows potential third-party malware to install to the computer system without direct authorization.
Headlinealley Toolbar can be manually and voluntarily installed from a variety of websites including headlinealley.com. Headlinealley advertises and promotes its product Headlinealley Toolbar as a legitimate “must have extension” for any web browser that displays the latest news headlines, and more. The downside to using the free Headlinealley Toolbar addon and extension, is that Headlinealley Toolbar as previously discussed, changes internet browser settings without permission and may bundle with third-party malware including adware, hijackers, and spyware.
Headlinealley Toolbar malware may appear as a Toolbar at the top of an internet browser which it infects as an add-on or extension. The Headlinealley Toolbar contains a search field, the Headlinealley logo, and other news type website links such as CNN and New York Times. Though the links on the Headlinealley Toolbar addon are not necessarily malicious, Headlinealley practices unethical marketing techniques and may entrap victims to unlawful terms that they would never agree with if presented with properly.
How does Headlinealley Toolbar infect a computer?
Headlinealley Toolbar can be manually and voluntarily downloaded from headlinealley.com and other websites but also bundles alongside or inside third-party browser attachments, including add-ons, extensions, plug-ins, and toolbars.
The Headlinealley virus may have also been contracted from websites and products that partake in unethical monetization efforts, including websites like download.com and software and files such as freeware, shareware, codecs, and torrents.
Is Headlinealley Toolbar safe?
Headlinealley Toolbar is not safe for reasons concerning the invasion of privacy, unethical marketing practices, the engagement of social engineering, associations with third-party malware, and over-all cyber criminal behavior.
Headlinealley Toolbar is not considered a legitimate toolbar for headline news stories.
- To remove Headlinealley Toolbar and third-party malware, please see the Headlinealley malware removal instructions below. Please note, Headlinealley Toolbar may utilize third-party browser attachments under a different title, as well as reputable titles in attempt to seem like a legitimate toolbar.
How to remove Headlinealley malware
- Automatically remove Headlinealley malware – Scan for and automatically remove Headlinealley malware
- Manually remove Headlinealley malware – Remove/Uninstall Headlinealley and third-party malware
1. Automatic Headlinealley removal
Use the instructions below to automatically remove Headlinealley and third-party malware, as well as automatically remove unwanted search engines from your home page, default search engine, browser shortcut, and other hijacked settings using free or paid versions of software.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
1. Install the free or paid version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
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, make sure to do so.
3. On the first tab labeled “Scanner” select the Perform full scan option and click the Scan button to perform a full system scan. Malwarebytes will automatically detect malware infecting the computer system.
4. Once the malware scan is complete, Malwarebytes may prompt a notice 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) or click the Delete button to remove quarantined files.
CCleaner
CCleaner can be used to automatically repair internet browser settings startup up settings, and uninstall stubborn software.
1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform.
2. Once installed, open 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.
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.
4. To automatically uninstall Headlinealley Toolbar and unwanted programs, navigate to the Uninstall tab and search for Headlinealley Toolbar (Headline Alley Toolbar), etc. in the list of installed programs. Uninstall the programs as selected.
2. Manual removal
Use the instructions below to manually uninstall Headlinealley Toolbar using generic removal procedures.
How to uninstall Headlinealley malware
1. Access Windows Start Menu and navigate to the Control Panel.
2. Click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program.
3. In the list of installed programs, search for Headlinealley software, including the Headlinealley Toolbar and others. Once located, double click the unwanted Headlinealley program or highlight it (select) in the list and click the Uninstall button.
How to remove the Headlinealley add-on and extension
Use the instructions to remove Headlinealley add-ons, extensions, plugins, and toolbars.
Please note, to remove unwanted redirections, a third-party program may need to be removed along with Headlinealley, or as a standalone attachment.
Google Chrome
1. Click on the Customize icon (wrench or 3 bar icon) next to the address bar and navigate to Tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the Headlinealley extension and remove it by clicking the trashcan icon next to them.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Type Ctrl+Shift+A.
2. On the Extensions and Plugin search for the Headlinealley add-on and remove it.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.
2. On the Toolbars and Extensions tab search for the Headlinealley add-on and remove it if located.
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