Remove LiteBrowser browser hijacker (Virus Removal Guide)

LiteBrowser is a potentially unwanted program that installs a customized Chromium browser.

 Image: LiteBrowser browser hijacker
Image: LiteBrowser browser hijacker

What is LiteBrowser?

LiteBrowser is a potentially unwanted program that will install a customized copy of the open-source Chromium web browser project from Google that looks like Google Chrome but is configured to open its own startup page and search engine instead of your normal default pages.
When installed, most people will use the LiteBrowser browser thinking it’s the normal Chrome browser instead of an imposter.

How did LiteBrowser get on my computer?

LiteBrowser is installed by the users, whether that is knowingly or not. Often, this type of program is offered through advertisements or bundled with other software, leaving the user puzzled about where this software came from.
Unfortunately, some free downloads do not adequately disclose that other software will also be installed and you may find that you have installed LiteBrowser without your knowledge.

You should always pay attention when installing software because often, a software installer includes optional installs. Be very careful what you agree to install.
Always opt for the custom installation and deselect anything that is not familiar, especially optional software that you never wanted to download and install in the first place. It goes without saying that you should not install software that you don’t trust.

To remove the LiteBrowser and check your computer for other malicious programs, please use the free malware removal guide below.

Remove LiteBrowser browser hijacker (Virus Removal Guide)

The below LiteBrowser removal instructions are for Windows users, however, we also have an Android Guide and a Mac Guide which should help clean up your device.

This malware removal guide may appear overwhelming due to the number of steps and numerous programs that are being used. We have only written it this way to provide clear, detailed, and easy-to-understand instructions that anyone can use to remove malware for free.
Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubts at any point, stop and ask for our assistance.

To remove the LiteBrowser browser hijacker, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Uninstall LiteBrowser from Windows

In this first step, we will check if the LiteBrowser program is installed on your computer. LiteBrowser can have a usable Uninstall entry that can be used to remove this program.

Windows 11Windows 10Windows 8Windows 7
  1. Open Windows Settings.

    First, open Windows Settings by pressing Windows+I on your keyboard. You can also right-click your Start button and select “Settings” from the list.
    Windows 11 Open Settings

  2. Click on “Apps”, then select “Apps and Features“.

    When Settings opens, click “Apps” in the sidebar, then select “Apps & Features”.

    Windows 11 Apps and Feature

  3. Find the LiteBrowser program and uninstall it.

    In Apps & Features settings, scroll down to the app list and find the LiteBrowser app. Click the three dots button beside it and select “Uninstall” in the menu that appears.

    There may be other malicious programs installed on your computer. Look out for any suspicious program that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine program. If you cannot find any malicious programs on your computer, you can continue with the second step from this guide.

    Windows 11 Uninstall malicious program

  4. Follow the on-screen prompts to uninstall LiteBrowser.

    In the next message box, confirm the uninstall process by clicking on Uninstall, then follow the prompts to uninstall LiteBrowser.
    Make sure to read all of the prompts carefully, because some malicious programs try to sneak things in hoping that you won’t read them closely.

    Windows 11 Confirm Uninstall

  1. Open the “Settings” menu.

    Click the Start button on the taskbar, then select “Settings” (gear icon).
    Windows 10: Click the Start button then click on Settings

  2. Click on “Apps”, then on “Apps and Features”.

    When the “Windows Settings” window opens, click on “Apps“. By default, it should open “Apps and Features” but if it doesn’t, select it from the list on the left.

    Windows 10: Click on Apps

  3. Find the LiteBrowser program and uninstall it.

    The “Apps and Features” screen will be displayed with a list of all the programs installed on your computer. Scroll through the list until you find the LiteBrowser program, then click to highlight it, then click the “Uninstall” button.

    There may be other malicious programs installed on your computer. Look out for any suspicious program that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine program. If you cannot find any malicious programs on your computer, you can continue with the second step from this guide.

    Windows 10: Uninstall LiteBrowser from Windows

  4. Follow the on-screen prompts to uninstall LiteBrowser.

    In the next message box, confirm the uninstall process by clicking on Uninstall, then follow the prompts to uninstall LiteBrowser.
    Make sure to read all of the prompts carefully, because some malicious programs try to sneak things in hoping that you won’t read closely.
    Windows 10: Complete the uninstall process

  1. Go to “Program and Features”.

    Right-click on the Start button in the taskbar, then select “Programs and Features”. This will take you directly to your list of installed programs.
    Right click on Start and select Programs and Features

  2. Find LiteBrowser and uninstall it.

    The “Programs and Features” screen will be displayed with a list of all the programs installed on your computer. Scroll through the list until you find the LiteBrowser program, then click to highlight it, then click the “Uninstall” button.

    The malicious program may have a different name on your computer. Look out for any suspicious program that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine program. If you cannot find any malicious programs on your computer, you can continue with the second step from this guide.

    Select LiteBrowser then click on Uninstall

  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to uninstall LiteBrowser.

    In the next message box, confirm the uninstall process by clicking on Yes, then follow the prompts to uninstall LiteBrowser. Make sure to read all of the prompts carefully, because some malicious programs try to sneak things in hoping that you won’t read closely.

  1. Open the “Control Panel”.

    Click on the “Start” button, then click on “Control Panel“.
    Windows 7 go to Control Panel

  2. Click on “Uninstall a Program”.

    When the “Control Panel” appears, click on “Uninstall a Program” from the Programs category.
    Select Uninstall LiteBrowser from Control Panel

  3. Find LiteBrowser and uninstall it.

    The “Programs and Features” screen will be displayed with a list of all the programs installed on your computer. Scroll through the list until you find the LiteBrowser program, then click to highlight it, then click the “Uninstall” button.

    The malicious program may have a different name on your computer. Look out for any suspicious program that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine program. If you cannot find any malicious programs on your computer, you can continue with the second step from this guide.

    Uninstall LiteBrowser from Windows 7

  4. Follow the on-screen prompts to uninstall LiteBrowser.

    In the next message box, confirm the uninstall process by clicking on Yes, then follow the prompts to uninstall LiteBrowser. Make sure to read all of the prompts carefully, because some malicious programs try to sneak things in hoping that you won’t read closely.


STEP 2: Use Malwarebytes to remove LiteBrowser browser hijacker

In this second step, we will download, install and run a scan with Malwarebytes to remove the LiteBrowser browser hijacker from your computer.

Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and most used anti-malware software for Windows, and for good reasons. It is able to destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss, without costing you absolutely nothing. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
It is important to note that Malwarebytes Free will run alongside antivirus software without conflicts.

  1. Download Malwarebytes for Windows.

    You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.

    MALWAREBYTES FOR WINDOWS DOWNLOAD LINK
    (The above link will open a new page from where you can download Malwarebytes)
  2. Double-click on the Malwarebytes setup file.

    When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the MBSetup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.

    Double-click on MBSetup installer to install Malwarebytes
    You may be presented with an User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow Malwarebytes to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the Malwarebytes installation.
    Windows asking for permission to run the Malwarebytes installer

  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.

    When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes setup wizard which will guide you through the installation process. The Malwarebytes installer will first ask you on what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
    Malwarebytes setup: Click on Personal Computer step 1

    On the next screen, click “Install” to install Malwarebytes on your computer.
    Malwarebytes Setup: Click on Install

    When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.

  4. Click on “Scan”.

    To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for LiteBrowser malicious files.
    Click on Scan button to get rid of LiteBrowser

  5. Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.

    Malwarebytes will scan your computer for the LiteBrowser browser hijacker and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.

    Malwarebytes scanning for LiteBrowser

  6. Click on “Quarantine”.

    When the scan has completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove LiteBrowser and other malicious programs that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
    Review the malicious programs and click on Quarantine to delete LiteBrowser

  7. Restart computer.

    Malwarebytes will now remove LiteBrowser and the other malicious programs that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
    Malwarebytes requesting to restart computer to complete the LiteBrowser removal process
    When the malware removal process is complete, you can close Malwarebytes and continue with the rest of the instructions.


STEP 3: Use HitmanPro to remove LiteBrowser and other malicious programs

In this third step, we will use HitmanPro to scan your computer for malicious programs that may have been installed alongside the LiteBrowser browser hijacker.

HitmanPro is a second opinion scanner that takes a unique cloud-based approach to malware scanning. HitmanPro scans the behavior of active files and also files in locations where malware normally resides for suspicious activity. If it finds a suspicious file that’s not already known, HitmanPro sends it to its clouds to be scanned by two of the best antivirus engines today, which are Bitdefender and Kaspersky.
Although HitmanPro is shareware and costs $24.95 for 1 year on 1 PC, there is actually no limit in scanning. The limitation only kicks in when there is a need to remove or quarantine detected malware by HitmanPro on your system and by then, you can activate the one-time 30-days trial to enable the cleanup.

  1. Download HitmanPro.

    You can download HitmanPro by clicking the link below.

    HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK
    (The above link will open a new web page from where you can download HitmanPro)
  2. Install HitmanPro.

    When HitmanPro has finished downloading, double-click on “hitmanpro.exe” (for 32-bit versions of Windows) or “hitmanpro_x64.exe” (for 64-bit versions of Windows) to install this program on your PC. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
    Double-click on the HitmanPro setup file - Help Guide
    You may be presented with an User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow HitmanPro to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
    Windows asking for permissions to run the HitmanPro setup file - Help Guide

  3. Follow the on-screen prompts.

    When HitmanPro starts you will be presented with the start screen as shown below. Click on the “Next” button to perform a system scan.

    Click Next to install HitmanPro

    HitmanPro final installer screen

  4. Wait for the HitmanPro scan to complete.

    HitmanPro will now begin to scan your computer for LiteBrowser and other malicious programs. This process will take a few minutes.
    HitmanPro while scanning for LiteBrowser malware

  5. Click on “Next”.

    When HitmanPro has finished the scan, it will display a list of all the malware that the program has found. Click on the “Next” button to remove the LiteBrowser browser hijacker and other malicious programs.
    HitmanPro scan summary. Click Next to delete LiteBrowser browser hijacker

  6. Click on “Activate free license”.

    Click on the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial and remove all the malicious files from your PC.
    Activate the free HitmanPro license keyEnter your email to complete the HitmanPro activation and get rid LiteBrowser
    When the process is complete, you can close HitmanPro and continue with the rest of the instructions.


STEP 4: Use AdwCleaner to remove malicious browser extensions

In this fourth step, we will use AdwCleaner to scan for the LiteBrowser browser hijacker, malicious browser extensions, or settings that may have been changed by malware.

AdwCleaner is a free popular on-demand scanner that can detect and remove malware that even the most well-known anti-virus and anti-malware applications fail to find. While the Malwarebytes and HitmanPro scans are more than enough, we’re recommending AdwCleaner to users who still have malware-related issues or just want to make sure their computer is 100% clean.

  1. Download AdwCleaner.

    You can download AdwCleaner by clicking the link below.

    ADWCLEANER DOWNLOAD LINK
    (The above link will open a new web page from where you can download AdwCleaner)
  2. Double-click on the setup file.

    Double-click on the file named “adwcleaner_x.x.x.exe” to start AdwCleaner. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
    AdwCleaner Setup File
    You may be presented with a User Account Control dialog asking you if you want to run this file. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
    AdwCleaner and Windows User Account Control Pop-up

  3. Click on “Scan Now”.

    When AdwCleaner will start, click on the “Scan Now” button to perform a system scan.
    AdwCleaner Scan Now button

  4. Wait for the AdwCleaner scan to complete.

    AdwCleaner will now scan your computer for LiteBrowser and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes.
    AdwCleaner Scanning for LiteBrowser virus

  5. Click on “Clean & Repair”.

    When AdwCleaner has finished it will display a list of all the malware that the program found. Click on the “Clean & Repair” button to remove LiteBrowser and other malicious files from your computer.
    Click Clean to remove LiteBrowser malware

  6. Click on “Clean & Restart Now”

    When the malware removal process is complete, AdwCleaner may need to restart your device. Click on the “Clean & Restart Now” button to finish the removal process.
    Click Clean & Restart Now to remove LiteBrowser virus
    When the process is complete, you can close Adwcleaner and continue with the rest of the instructions.


STEP 5: Remove LiteBrowser from your browser

In this final step, if you are still seeing the LiteBrowser advertisements, we will need to reset the web browser settings to their original defaults. This step should be performed only if your issues have not been solved by the previous steps.

ChromeFirefoxMicrosoft EdgeInternet Explorer

Remove LiteBrowser browser hijacker from Google Chrome

To remove LiteBrowser from Google Chrome, we will remove the browser extension and then check the settings.

  1. Remove the LiteBrowser browser extension.

    In the top right corner, click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three vertical dots. When the drop-down menu appears, click on “More tools“, then click on “Extensions“.

    Go to Extensions and remove LiteBrowser

    The “Extensions” screen will be displayed with a list of all the extensions installed on Chrome. Scroll through the list until you find the LiteBrowser extension, and then click on “Remove” to remove it.

    Remove the LiteBrowser from Chrome

  2. Change the default search engine to Google.

    In the top right corner, click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three vertical dots. When the drop-down menu appears, click on “Settings“.
    Open the Settings menu

    On the left side of the window, click on “Search engine“, then click “Manage search engines…“. In the opened list find Google Search, click the three vertical dots and select “Make default“.

    Find LiteBrowser and remove it as default search engine

  3. Check the homepage and new tab settings.

    In the top right corner, click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three vertical dots. When the drop-down menu appears, click on “Settings“.
    Open the Settings menu

    In the “On startup” section, disable any extension, then select “Open the New Tab page” as your preferred setting.
    Remove LiteBrowser as startup page

If your browser is still being redirected by LiteBrowser browser hijacker after you’ve performed the above steps, we strongly recommend resetting Google Chrome to its default settings. To do this, type “chrome://settings/resetProfileSettings” in your browser URL bar, then click on “Reset settings“.

Remove LiteBrowser browser hijacker from Firefox

To remove the LiteBrowser browser hijacker from Firefox we will reset the browser settings to its default. The reset feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks, passwords, web form auto-fill information, browsing history, and open tabs.

  1. Click the menu icon, then click on “Help”.

    Click on Firefox’s main menu button, represented by three horizontal lines. When the drop-down menu appears, select the option labeled “Help“.
    Click on the Firefox Menu button then select Help button

  2. Click “Troubleshooting Information”.

    From the Help menu, click on “Troubleshooting Information“.
    Click on Troubleshooting Information button

  3. Click on “Refresh Firefox”

    Click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page.
    Click on the Refresh Firefox button

  4. Confirm.

    To continue, click on the “Refresh Firefox” button in the new confirmation window that opens.
    Click again on Refresh Firefox

  5. Click “Finish”.

    Firefox will close itself and will revert to its default settings. When it’s done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click on “Finish“.

    Your old Firefox profile will be placed on your desktop in a folder named “Old Firefox Data“. If the reset didn’t fix your problem you can restore some of the information not saved by copying files to the new profile that was created. If you don’t need this folder any longer, you should delete it as it contains sensitive information.

Remove LiteBrowser browser hijacker from Microsoft Edge

To remove the LiteBrowser browser hijacker from Microsoft Edge we will reset the browser settings to its default. This will reset your startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It will also disable all extensions and clear temporary data like cookies. Your favorites, history and saved passwords will not be cleared.

  1. Open the “Settings” menu.

    In the top right corner, click on Microsoft Edge’s main menu button, represented by three horizontal dots. When the drop-down menu appears, click on “Settings“.”.
    Open the Settings menu

  2. Click on “Reset Settings”.

    On the left side of the window, click on “Reset Settings”.
    Click Reset Settings option

  3. Click on “Restore settings to their default values”.

    In the main window, click on “Restore settings to their default values”.
    Click on Restore settings to their default values option

  4. Click “Reset”.

    A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue on with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, click on the “Reset” button.
    Click Reset to reset your browser

Remove LiteBrowser browser hijacker from Internet Explorer

To remove LiteBrowser the adware from Internet Explorer we will reset the browser settings to its default. You can reset Internet Explorer settings to return them to the state they were in when Internet Explorer was first installed on your computer.

  1. Go to “Internet Options”.

    Open Internet Explorer, click on the gear icon in the upper-right part of your browser, then select “Internet Options“.

  2. Select the “Advanced” tab, then click “Reset”

    In the “Internet Options” dialog box, select the “Advanced” tab, then click on the “Reset” button.

  3. Click on “Reset”.

    In the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” section, select the “Delete personal settings” checkbox, then click on the “Reset” button.

  4. Click on “Close”.

    When Internet Explorer has completed its task, click on the “Close” button in the confirmation dialogue box.
    Close your browser and then you can open Internet Explorer again.


Your computer should now be free of the LiteBrowser browser hijacker and other malicious programs. If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future.
If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:

How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

  1. Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

    Shield Guide

    It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.

  2. Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

    updates-guide

    Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.

  3. Be careful when installing programs and apps.

    install guide

    Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."

  4. Install an ad blocker.

    Ad Blocker

    Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.

  5. Be careful what you download.

    Trojan Horse

    A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.

  6. Be alert for people trying to trick you.

    warning sign

    Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.

  7. Back up your data.

    backup sign

    Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.

  8. Choose strong passwords.

    lock sign

    Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.

  9. Be careful where you click.

    cursor sign

    Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.

  10. Don't use pirated software.

    Shady Guide

    Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.

To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.

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