Auto Purge is a browser hijacker

Auto Purge is a browser hijacker that is advertised as a useful extension for Google Chrome. The extension is supposed to make browsing more private by preventing sites from tracking you and by deleting your history, but it’s actually an intrusive extension that will try to redirect you to sponsored websites. It’s not uncommon for browser hijackers to be advertised as useful extension so that users would install them or at least keep them installed when they sneak in without users’ permission.

It’s possible that you do not remember installing the extension because it installed via freeware. If it installed without permission, you likely were taken by surprise when you noticed that your browser’s settings have been changed and an unfamiliar site now loads every time you open your browser. The reason the hijacker makes those changes is to make redirecting you to sponsored websites easier. These redirects are the main purpose of browser hijackers. We will explain this in more detail in the following sections, as well as show you how to prevent these unwanted installations in the future.

This is not a useful extension to have. In fact, it could even expose you to dangerous content, such as scams and malware. We strongly recommend you delete Auto Purge from your computer as soon as possible.

How do browser hijackers install

It’s not uncommon for browser hijackers to be available for download on various sites and web stores. They are advertised as useful extensions that can improve the browsing experience but once users download them, they realize they’re useful extensions that don’t do anything. This is why you should always do extensive research before downloading anything.

Browser hijackers often use software bundling to install unnoticed. Minor infections like adware, browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) come attached to free software as extra offers, and unless users manually deselect them, they are able to install alongside the program. The offers are optional but to prevent users from deselecting them, they’re initially hidden. To make them visible, one would need to choose Advanced (Custom) settings when installing freeware. Unlike Default settings, Advanced will allow you to deselect all offers. All you really need to do is uncheck the boxes of those offers. Once you have done that, you can continue installing the program.

The majority of free programs will come with these offers attached, so it is important that you always pay attention to installation processes and deselect offers. Otherwise, your computer will be full of junk programs that negatively affect your computer.

Should you uninstall Auto Purge?

As soon as it attaches itself to your Google Chrome browser, its settings will be changed. autopurge.org will be set as your homepage, meaning you will be redirected to it every time you open your browser. Your default search engine will also be changed to search.yahoo.com. If you perform a search via your browser address bar or the search box in your new homepage, you will be redirected to search.yahoo.com. Yahoo is a legitimate and safe search engine but if you wanted to use it, you could access it directly. There is no need to use a questionable third-party website. You should also keep in mind that hijackers can alter search results to include sponsored content, so be careful when you notice that a hijacker is attached to your browser.

The hijacker could also randomly interrupt your browsing and redirect you to questionable websites. If that happens, just close the window without interacting with the site. In particular, if you are offered to download a program or alerted that you need to install an update in one of the sites you’re redirected to, ignore it. Never download anything from unknown websites.

Auto Purge removal

You should be able to remove Auto Purge both manually and automatically. If you don’t have a lot of experience with uninstalling programs/extensions, we suggest using anti-spyware software. The program would do everything for you. However, if you want to delete Auto Purge yourself manually, use the instructions we have provided below to help you.

Offers

Download Removal Toolto scan for Auto PurgeTo scan for Auto Purge, use our recommended security tool. The trial version of WiperSoft detects infections like Auto Purge and can assist with their removal for free. You can delete detected files, registry entries and processes manually, or you can purchase the full version of the program for automatic removal.

You can find more information about WiperSoft on its official website, and find its uninstallation instructions here. Before installing, please familiarize yourself with WiperSoft EULA and Privacy Policy. WiperSoft will detect malware for free and gives Free trail to remove it.

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Remove Auto Purge with anti-spyware software

You’re advised to use security software like anti-spyware for Auto Purge removal because that would be easiest. These kinds of applications are designed to uninstall all types of threats so they should not have issues with Auto Purge. To uninstall Auto Purge, you need to download the software and perform a scan. If you continue reading, we will also explain manual Auto Purge removal.

Manual Auto Purge removal from Windows

Windows XP

1. Click Start (the windows logo bottom-left corner of the screen) or tap the window key on your keyboard, pick Settings and then Control Panel.
   
2. Press on Add or Remove Programs.
3. Delete Auto Purge.
   
4. Uninstall any additional application that causes suspicion.

Windows 7

1. Press the windows key to open start menu and select Control Panel.
   
2. Access Programs and Features – Uninstall a program.
   
3. Remove Auto Purge.
   
4. We also suggest going through all other installed applications to see if anything else is suspicious.

Windows 8/10

1. You’ll need to open Programs and Features by right-clicking on Start and selecting Programs and Features.
   
2. Uninstall Auto Purge.
   
3. It is also a great idea to go through all other installed applications to see if anything else is suspicious.

Delete Auto Purge from your Mac OS manually

Removing Auto Purge from your Mac computer is quite easy. But we’ll also show you how to delete some remaining files after you uninstall Auto Purge.

1. Press on Finder (the first icon located on the left on your dock) and click on Applications.
   
2. In Applications, find Auto Purge and put it into the trash or right-click on the program and select Move to Trash.
   
3. If there are any other questionable applications, uninstall them as well.
4. Open Go to Folder by clicking Go on the menu bar and then clicking on Go to Folder.
   
5. Type /Library/LaunchAgents, and drag any suspicious and recently-added files to the trash.
   
6. Access Go to Folder again, and type /Library/Application Support. Search for any recently-added or otherwise dubious files and drag them to the trash.
   
7. Go back to Go to Folder, and put in ~/Library/LaunchAgents. Drag any suspicious and recently-added files to the trash.
   
8. Access Go to Folder again, and type /Library/LaunchDaemons. Search for any recently-added or otherwise questionable files and trash them.
9. Right-click on the trash icon and press Empty Trash.
   

Auto Purge deletion from your Internet browser

Remove Auto Purge from Internet Explorer

1. Launch Internet Explorer.
2. Access Manage Add-ons through the menu bar (the gear icon at the top-right corner of the screen).
   
3. Click Remove on Auto Purge and all unfamiliar extensions.
4. Click on the gear icon (top-right corner), and pick Internet Options.
5. In the General tab, change the homepage to your preferred site.
   
6. Press on the gear icon (top-right corner), and press on Manage Add-ons.
   
7. Go to the Search Providers tab (from the menu on the left), remove the Auto Purge set one and choose the one you prefer.

If that didn’t fix your issues, your browser’s settings will have to be reset.

1. If your computer is running Windows XP, Start – Run, type inetcpl.cpl, proceed to the Advanced tab and click Reset.
   
2. For users using devices running Windows Vista/7, click the windows logo, type in inetcpl.cpl in the search box and press Enter. Proceed to the Advanced tab and click Reset.
3. If you are using Windows 8/10, launch Internet Explorer, press on the gear icon, press on Internet Options, access the Advanced tab and press Reset. Press Reset again to confirm.
   

How to remove Auto Purge from Google Chrome

1. Launch Google Chrome.
2. Menu (the three dots right-corner of the screen) – More tools – Extensions.
   
3. Find Auto Purge and any other extension you can’t identify, and remove them.
   
4. Access Settings through the menu (the three dots top right-corner).
   
5. In the On startup section, set the homepage of your choice instead of the one set by Auto Purge.
   
6. Proceed to Search engine from the menu on the left, then Manage search engines, delete the search engine set by Auto Purge and choose your preferred one.
   

If you’re still having problems, your browser’s settings will have to be reset.

1. Launch Google Chrome, access menu (the three dots), press Settings.
   
2. Go down, click Advanced and go down to the Reset section.
   
3. Click Reset and confirm your choice.
   

Remove Auto Purge from Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Mozilla Firefox.
2. Open Add-ons through the menu (the three bars top-right corner).
   
3. Access Extensions, locate and remove Auto Purge, as well as any other unfamiliar extension.
   
4. Menu (the three bars) – Preferences.
   
5. Access the Home tab, you will see a homepage set by Auto Purge, set it to one you prefer.
   
6. Proceed to the Search tab from the menu tab on the left, remove the search engine Auto Purge set for you and choose your preferred one.

Your browser’s settings will have to be reset if you are still having issues with Auto Purge.

1. Menu (the three bars) – Help – Troubleshoot information.
   
2. In the new window, click on Refresh Firefox.
3. Click Refresh Firefox again.
   

Delete Auto Purge from Safari

1. Launch Safari.
2. Safari (from the menu bar at the top) – Preferences.
   
3. Navigate to the Extensions tab, locate and delete Auto Purge, and any other extension you can’t identify.
   
4. Access the General tab, you will see a homepage set by Auto Purge, set it to one you prefer.
   
5. Open the Search tab, modify your search engine.

In case you are still struggling with Auto Purge, your browser’s settings will have to be restored to default.

1. Clear History by pressing on Safari (the menu bar) when the browser is running, and select Clear History.
   
2. Safari – Preferences – Advanced tab.
   
3. Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar box.
   
4. You will be able to see the Develop menu at the top, press that and then press on Empty Caches.

Auto Purge removal from Microsoft Edge

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Menu (the three dots at the top-right corner) – Extensions.
   
3. Locate and delete Auto Purge, as well as any other extension you don’t know.
4. Menu (the three dots) – Settings.
5. You will have to change your homepage in On Startup.
   
6. Proceed to Privacy and services tab, remove the search engine set by Auto Purge and pick your preferred one.
   

Your browser’s settings will need to be restored if you are still having issues with Auto Purge.

1. Open Microsoft Edge menu (the three dots) – Settings – Reset settings.
2. Press on Restore settings to their default values. Confirm the reset.