Totalhotnewz
If you have come across Totalhotnewz on your computer, then you have been infected by a so-called browser hijacker. Totalhotnewz embeds itself in your main browser in order to turn it into a platform for online advertising.
It does this by means of integrating ad-generating components in the browser. And as a result, every website you visit becomes flooded with popups, box messages and banners promoting various products and services. In addition, Totalhotnewz may cause page redirects without warning during your browsing sessions, which can also be rather frustrating.
In addition, browser hijackers like Totalhotnewz have a strong tendency to mess with the browser’s configurations. For instance, Totalhotnewz may change the default search engine and replace the homepage with a custom one. That way the hijacker can drive more traffic to these websites, if that’s what it has been tasked with.
In turn, the developers of these programs have a vested interest in these activities as they profit from them directly. This is made possible thanks to such fairly popular business models as Pay Per View and Pay Per Click. So if you were wondering why all the banners and box messages all of a sudden became so persistent and aggressive – there’s your answer. The developers will try every tactic at their disposal to get as many clicks from you as possible.
The problem with all of this, however, is that users normally don’t recall ever consenting to any of this. And that, too, has to do with a shady tactic that software developers use in order to ensure that their hijacker get installed on people’s computers.
Typically, they hide these ad-generating pieces like Totalhotnewz, Phenotypebest, iStart Search Bar in the setup of various free programs. For instance, games and system optimization tools are common examples of software where browser hijackers can be hidden. And if after installing such a piece of software you run the default or automatic installation settings, then any components that were bundled in the setup will also be installed.
Hence, you did in fact give your permission to the installation of Totalhotnewz. You just didn’t realize it.
There is a pretty easy way in which you can avoid doing this. For one, it’s a good idea to only stick to reliable download sources. And for another, whenever you are running the setup of any new software app, be sure to always opt for the custom settings. That way you will gain more information about the program, as well as any added installs. And moreover, you will most times also have the opportunity to exclude them form the installation process.
Keep in mind that the presence of a browser hijacker like Totalhotnewz on your machine may make it more vulnerable to possible virus attacks. You may get redirected to a dangerous or unsafe page that’s been compromised by ransomware, Trojan horse viruses and other malware. So it’s best to simply remove Totalhotnewz from your system altogether and not put your system at risk. Below is a detailed free removal guide to walk you through the process.
SUMMARY:
| Name | Totalhotnewz |
| Type | Browser Hijacker |
| Detection Tool |
Remove Totalhotnewz Virus
To try and remove Totalhotnewz quickly you can try this:
- Go to your browser’s settings and select More Tools (or Add-ons, depending on your browser).
- Then click on the Extensions tab.
- Look for the Totalhotnewz extension (as well as any other unfamiliar ones).
- Remove Totalhotnewz by clicking on the Trash Bin icon next to its name.
- Confirm and get rid of Totalhotnewz and any other suspicious items.
If this does not work as described please follow our more detailed Totalhotnewz removal guide below.
If you have a Windows virus, continue with the guide below.
If you have a Mac virus, please use our How to remove Ads on Mac guide.
If you have an Android virus, please use our Android Malware Removal guide.
If you have an iPhone virus, please use our iPhone Virus Removal guide
Some of the steps will likely require you to exit the page. Bookmark it for later reference.
Reboot in Safe Mode (use this guide if you don’t know how to do it).
WARNING! READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING!
Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC at the same time and go to the Processes Tab (the “Details” Tab on Win 8 and 10). Try to determine which processes are dangerous.
Right click on each of them and select Open File Location. Then scan the files with our free online virus scanner:
After you open their folder, end the processes that are infected, then delete their folders.
Note: If you are sure something is part of the infection – delete it, even if the scanner doesn’t flag it. No anti-virus program can detect all infections.
Hold together the Start Key and R. Type appwiz.cpl –> OK.
You are now in the Control Panel. Look for suspicious entries. Uninstall it/them.
Type msconfig in the search field and hit enter. A window will pop-up:
Startup —> Uncheck entries that have “Unknown” as Manufacturer or otherwise look suspicious.
Hold the Start Key and R – copy + paste the following and click OK:
notepad %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/hosts
A new file will open. If you are hacked, there will be a bunch of other IPs connected to you at the bottom. Look at the image below:
If there are suspicious IPs below “Localhost” – write to us in the comments.
Open the start menu and search for Network Connections (On Windows 10 you just write it after clicking the Windows button), press enter.
- Right-click on the Network Adapter you are using —> Properties —> Internet Protocol Version 4 (ICP/IP), click Properties.
- The DNS line should be set to Obtain DNS server automatically. If it is not, set it yourself.
- Click on Advanced —> the DNS tab. Remove everything here (if there is something) —> OK.
- After you complete this step, the threat will be gone from your browsers. Finish the next step as well or it may reappear on a system reboot.
Right click on the browser’s shortcut —> Properties.
NOTE: We are showing Google Chrome, but you can do this for Firefox and IE (or Edge).
Properties —–> Shortcut. In Target, remove everything after .exe.
Remove Totalhotnewz from Internet Explorer:
Open IE, click 
—–> Manage Add-ons.
Find the threat —> Disable. Go to —–> Internet Options —> change the URL to whatever you use (if hijacked) —> Apply.
Remove Totalhotnewz from Firefox:
Open Firefox, click 
——-> Add-ons —-> Extensions.
Remove Totalhotnewz from Chrome:
Close Chrome. Navigate to:
C:/Users/!!!!USER NAME!!!!/AppData/Local/Google/Chrome/User Data. There is a Folder called “Default” inside:
Rename it to Backup Default. Restart Chrome.
Type Regedit in the windows search field and press Enter.
Inside, press CTRL and F together and type the threat’s Name. Right click and delete any entries you find with a similar name. If they don’t show up this way, go manually to these directories and delete/uninstall them:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER—-Software—–Random Directory. It could be any one of them – ask us if you can’t discern which ones are malicious.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER—-Software—Microsoft—-Windows—CurrentVersion—Run– Random
HKEY_CURRENT_USER—-Software—Microsoft—Internet Explorer—-Main—- Random
If the guide doesn’t help, download the anti-virus program we recommended or try our free online virus scanner. Also, you can always ask us in the comments for help!
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