We recently came across a number of reports from users concerned about pop-ups in their browser related to a site called Fuq.com. The popups would show up seemingly out of nowhere and, when clicked, would redirect to questionable sites, often filled with adult content.
The fuq.com site itself is an adult platform, but whether or not the popups are coming from it is not clear. In any case, these popups should definitely not show up in your browser and are certainly a potential security risk. The most likely reason for their appearance is a hijacker introduced to the browser that currently has control over some of its settings. It’s a similar situation to other hijackers, like Search-great and Shougnoboassi.net, that I’ve covered in the past.
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There are many ways the hijacker could have gotten there, but regardless of the exact method, removing it is necessary if you want to put an end to the “fuq” pop-ups, redirects, ads, and any other disruptive and possibly unsafe content displayed in your browser.
Fuq.com Removal Tutorial
Let’s begin with the basics. If you notice something off about your browser—like unexpected pop-ups or unusual redirects—the first thing you should do is check your extensions.
- Head to your browser’s menu and find the extensions or add-ons page. This area is often where hijackers leave their calling cards.
- Look closely at the extensions installed on your browser. Anything unfamiliar, oddly named, or downright suspicious? Delete it. There’s no need to second-guess yourself here. If it’s something important, you can always reinstall it later.
- Next, it’s time to check out your browser’s Privacy and Security settings. Specifically, you’ll want to look at Site Permissions.
- These settings control which websites can show notifications, create pop-ups, or redirect you. If you see any websites you don’t recognize—or worse, ones like Fuq.com that you know not to trust—revoke their permissions immediately.
Once you’ve done all this, restart your computer and reopen your browser. Many times, these quick adjustments will resolve the issue. But if Fuq.com is still lurking, don’t worry. More advanced steps are just ahead.
SUMMARY:
If the quick steps above didn’t suffice, it means the hijacker has entrenched itself deeper, and more advanced removal methods are required. The manual steps next will explain how to take care of the Fuq.com hijacker in such situations. However, the process takes time – likely more than an hour – and some basic technical know-how.
If you are short on time or don’t want to tinker too much in your system, then I’d suggest using SpyHunter 5. It’s a powerful removal tool capable of dealing with all sorts of threats, rogue software, and hijacker sites. If you want to give it a try, you’ll find it linked on this page.
How to Remove the Fuq.com Hijacker
When hijackers like Fuq.com resist regular removal steps like the ones I showed you above, this usually means that they’ve added a third-party policy to the browser. This locks your settings and prevents you from changing them back. If you’ve ever seen a “Managed by your organization” message in your browser’s menu, that clearly indicates the presence of such a policy.
To investigate, you’ll need to visit your browser’s policy page.
For Chrome users, type chrome://policy into the address bar. If you’re using another Chromium-based browser, just swap out “chrome” for the browser’s name.
Look for anything suspicious here. Often, rogue entries show up as random strings of letters and numbers under the Value column. Save these for later reference—they’ll come in handy.
The next step is to revisit your browser’s extensions. The thing is you may not always be able to do that.
Sometimes, hijackers block your access to this page. If that happens, you’ll need to do a bit of manual cleanup. For Chrome, navigate to:
C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions.
Delete everything in this folder.
Don’t worry—you’re not permanently removing anything essential.
Other browsers have similar directories:
Once you’ve cleared the folder, go back to your browser and enable Developer Mode on the extensions page. This will let you see the unique IDs of all installed extensions.
Note the IDs of any suspicious entries alongside the rogue policy values you found earlier.
Video walkthrough for this step:
Get Rid of Fuq.com Policies
Now it’s time to tackle the heart of the Fuq.com issue: removing those embedded policies. This step involves using the Registry Editor, so proceed carefully—messing with the wrong entries could cause problems for your system.
Deleting Problematic Entries
Open the Registry Editor by typing regedit into your Start Menu, right-clicking the first item, and selecting Run as administrator.
Use the search function to look for the rogue values and extension IDs you identified earlier. Delete every instance of these entries. Run multiple searches to make sure nothing is left behind.
When Keys Won’t Budge
Sometimes, certain registry keys refuse to be deleted. If that happens, you’ll need to adjust the permissions for those keys.
Right-click the stubborn key, go to Permissions > Advanced > Change, and type “everyone” into the field.
Click Check Names, followed by OK. Then, enable the “Replace…” options in the window before clicking Apply and OK.
This should give you the access needed to delete the rogue key.
Video walkthrough for this step:
Alternative Tools to Delete Fuq.com Policies
If the registry cleanup method feels overwhelming—or doesn’t entirely resolve the Fuq.com problem—there are tools designed to help.
Using Group Policy Editor
The Group Policy Editor is one good option. Open it by searching for “edit group policy” in your Start Menu.
Once inside, navigate to Administrative Templates, right-click it, and select Add/Remove Templates.
Remove everything shown in the following window.
Chrome Policy Remover
If you’re a Chrome user, you have another ace up your sleeve: the Chrome Policy Remover tool. This software is simple to use. Download it, run it as an administrator, and let it do its thing.
Even if Windows flags it with a warning, you can bypass this by selecting “More Info” and then “Run Anyway.” In a matter of moments, the tool will eliminate any rogue policies tied to Chrome.
Video walkthrough for this step:
Manual Group Policy Removal
Automatic Group Policy Removal
Uninstall Fuq.com From Chrome, Edge, and Other Browsers
With Fuq.com’s policies out of the way, it’s time to restore your browser to its original settings.
Start by revisiting your Extensions page and deleting anything suspicious.
Then, clear your browsing data in the Privacy and Security tab. Use the “All Time” range to ensure no traces of Fuq.com remain, but make sure to not delete your passwords.
Check your Site Permissions next. Remove or block any URLs you don’t trust from each permissions category.
Next, secure your Search Engine settings by choosing a trusted provider like Google or Bing and removing any unknown options from the Manage search engines section.
Don’t forget to review the On Startup and Appearance tabs for any rogue URLs. Clean those up, and you should be good to go.
Video walkthrough for this step:
Chrome
Microsoft Edge
Mozilla Firefox
Staying Safe: Protecting Your Browser from Future Threats
Getting rid of Fuq.com is only part of the battle. To keep your browser safe moving forward, you’ll need to take some proactive steps.
Control Permissions
Regularly review which sites have permission to display notifications, pop-ups, or redirects. Keep these settings tight to minimize potential vulnerabilities.
Be Selective with Extensions
Stick to extensions from reputable developers. Before installing anything new, take a few minutes to research it. A little caution can save you from a lot of trouble.
Stay Updated
Make sure your browser and operating system are always up to date. Many updates include security patches that address vulnerabilities hijackers exploit. And if you notice your browser behaving strangely—like slower speeds or unexpected changes—don’t ignore it. Investigate and act quickly.
Final Thoughts: Taking Back Control
Dealing with a browser hijacker like Fuq.com can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, it’s entirely manageable. By following these steps, you can not only eliminate the hijacker but also strengthen your defenses against future threats. Remember, staying informed and vigilant is your best weapon in the fight for a secure browsing experience. Now, take a deep breath—you’ve got this.
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