What is Ook.gg?
Ook.gg is a Browser Hijacker, categorized as a Redirect Virus, is a type of malicious software that clandestinely takes control of your web browser’s settings. It alters these settings to redirect your browsing sessions to a specific, often questionable website, in this case, https://ook.gg/result.php?q=search_query. This hijacking is typically unwanted and can be highly disruptive, as it interferes with your ability to browse the web freely.
Signs of the Ook.gg Browser Hijacker [Redirect Virus]
- Unwanted Browser Redirects to https://ook.gg/result.php?q=search_query.
- Suspicious Browser Extensions
- Changes in Homepage and Search Engine
- Increased Ads and Pop-ups
- Sluggish Browser Performance
The Ook.gg Browser Hijacker typically infiltrates your browser through deceptive means. It can be bundled with seemingly legitimate software downloads, concealed within malicious email attachments, or introduced via fake Google extensions. Once inside your browser, it manipulates settings to forcefully redirect your web searches and URLs to the Ook.gg website. This website might contain ads, malicious content, or attempt to gather your personal information.
Apart from unwanted browser redirects, changes in browser settings, fake search results, there is another good reason to remove the browser hijacker as soon as possible. The reason is that any browser hijacker installed on the browser or operating system (be it Windows or Mac) can collect data about the user’s online activity. That is, the browser hijacker can act as spyware and collect information such as which sites the user has visited, the user’s geolocation, search queries, IP addresses. These are the main reasons why it is highly recommended not to use a computer or browser that is affected by a browser hijacker.
Threat Summary
| Name | Ook.gg |
| Threat Type | Browser hijacker, Potentially unwanted application, PUA |
| Symptoms | You see unwanted pop-up ads, your browser is redirected to unexpected websites, websites load slower than usual |
| Distribution methods | Adware, Torrent files, Cracks, Drive-by downloads, Phishing emails |
| Damage | Lots of intrusive ads, redirects to malicious sites, changes in browser settings, loss of personal data |
| Removal | To remove Ook.gg, get rid of browser redirects and intrusive ads, we recommend following the instructions below |
There are many more potentially unwanted programs and browser hijackers. In most cases, they are positioned as useful utilities, but the declared features are often useless or not available at all. These programs display ads, change browser and computer settings, redirect users to dangerous sites, and collect information about users instead of the claimed useful functions.
How does browser hijakers get installed onto computers
Most browser hijackers are distributed by fake updates, freeware installers and downloaders. Attackers use a deceptive technique called “bundling” to distribute browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs. They create an installer/downloader that includes browser hijackers and PUPs. When this downloader/installer is run, the browser hijacker is automatically installed on the user’s computer.
Therefore, running suspicious files, downloading files from untrustworthy sources, installing programs in quick mode, disabling antivirus, and simply ignoring installer messages are the main reasons why malware is installed on a computer.
Tips to prevent browser hijackers and other unwanted applications
There are several tricks that can help you avoid installing potentially unwanted applications and browser hijackers. When installing a new application, always try to do a little research on the Internet, search for information about the application, scan it on the VirusTotal resource. If there is information somewhere that the application is dangerous (adware, browser hijacker, spyware), changes browser settings or displays ads, then do not install it and delete the downloaded file. Download apps from official sources, don’t download apps from untrustworthy sites, don’t use file hosting and torrents. When installing applications, always carefully read the terms of use, the information on the installer screen, and also select only manual / advanced installation mode. In this mode, disable all modules, applications, tools, features, changes in browser and system settings that you do not need. If malicious activity is detected on your computer, such as browser redirects, unwanted ads, suspicious browser extensions, scan your computer for malware immediately.
Fake Flash Player updater promoting browser hijackers:
How to Remove Ook.gg redirect (Virus removal guide)
Follow the steps of the guidance. Some of the steps below will require you to close this web site. So, please read the steps carefully, after that bookmark or print it for later reference.
To remove Ook.gg, use the following steps:
- Uninstall Ook.gg associated software
- Remove Ook.gg from Google Chrome
- Automatically remove Ook.gg with AdwCleaner
Uninstall Ook.gg associated software
The first way to remove the browser hijacker manually is to go to the Windows settings panel and then open the list of installed applications. Review it carefully for any questionable or unknown applications. If you see them, you need to uninstall them. Of course, before doing this, you can search the Internet for detailed information about the suspicious app. If it’s a potentially unwanted program, adware, or malware, you’re more likely to find information that says so.
Click the Search 
. Type ‘Control panel’and press Enter as shown on the screen below.
After the ‘Control Panel’ opens, press the ‘Uninstall a program’ link under Programs category as shown in the following example.
Carefully review the list of installed programs and remove suspicious and unknown programs. We suggest clicking “Installed Programs” and even sorting all installed apps by date. Once you find anything dubious that might be a browser hijacker, select that app and click “Uninstall” at the top of the window. If the questionable program is blocked from removal, then use Revo Uninstaller Freeware to completely remove it from your computer .
Remove Ook.gg from Google Chrome
If you have a hijacker issue or if Chrome is slow, resetting Chrome might help. In the following steps, we will show you the solution to reset Google Chrome to default without reinstalling. It will also help remove Ook.gg from your home page, default search engine, and new tab page.
First launch the Chrome. Next, press the button in the form of three dots (
).
It will open the Chrome menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions. Carefully browse through the list of installed extensions and get rid of all unknown and suspicious addons.
Open the Chrome menu once again. Further, press the option called “Settings”.
The web-browser will display the settings screen. Another solution to display the Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the web-browser adress bar and press Enter
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the “Reset” section is visible, like below.
Next, click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button. The Google Chrome will show the confirmation prompt as displayed in the following example.
You need to confirm your action, click the “Reset” button. The web-browser will launch the process of cleaning. Once it’s finished, the web browser’s settings including newtab, search engine by default and home page back to the values that have been when the Google Chrome was first installed on your PC system.
Automatically remove Ook.gg with AdwCleaner
You can download and use AdwCleaner for free. This antimalware utility will scan all Windows registry entries and files on your PC, as well as system settings and web browser extensions. If AdwCleaner detects any malware, adware or malicious add-on responsible for redirecting to Ook.gg, it will completely remove them from your personal computer.
- Installing the AdwCleaner is simple. First you will need to download AdwCleaner from the following link. Save it on your Desktop.
Download AdwCleaner link - Select the file location as Desktop, and then click Save.
- Once the download is complete, run the AdwCleaner, double-click the adwcleaner_xxx.exe file.
- If the “User Account Control” prompts, click Yes to continue.
- Read the “Terms of use”, and press Accept.
- In the AdwCleaner window, click the “Scan” to perform a system scan with this tool for the hijacker infection responsible for the Ook.gg redirects. While the AdwCleaner program is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified as threat.
- Once the scan is complete, AdwCleaner will produce a list of security threats. In order to remove the threats, simply click “Clean”. If the AdwCleaner will ask you to restart your machine, click “OK”.
These few simple steps are shown in detail in the following video.
