Member Avatar for Inlovewithnight

Hello,

My Google Chrome browser has been redirected to"Search.Babylon.com". Ever since I downloaded Internet Download Manager from Download.com, this redirection began. Using CCleaner, I uninstalled Internet Download Manager and two Babylon entries, however Chrome is still redirected to Babylon. In the Chrome settings, Google is my default browser, but this Babylon still redirects. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

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Dani AI

Generated

This thread shows the classic behaviour of a bundled search hijacker. confirmed the visible symptom (startup page set to Babylon) and replies from and pointed to the usual places to look. If the redirect reappears or other browsers are affected, treat this as a lingering system change rather than just a Chrome setting.

What to understand: these installers can change several places at once — browser search providers, shortcut targets, the system Hosts file, proxy settings, scheduled tasks, and registry Run keys. Removal often needs checking all of those locations and cleaning leftover files from AppData/ProgramData, not just uninstalling the visible program.

Practical cleanup checklist (do these in order)

  • Back up bookmarks and export any saved passwords first.
  • Inspect Chrome shortcut properties for an added URL in the Target field.
  • Check the Hosts file at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts for unfamiliar entries and restore it to default if modified.
  • Clear DNS and reset network stack with ipconfig /flushdns and netsh winsock reset, then reboot.
  • Search Program Files, Program Files (x86), %APPDATA% and %PROGRAMDATA% for Babylon or oddly named folders and remove them.
  • Scan offline or in Safe Mode with a reputable anti-malware tool (for example Malwarebytes) and an adware remover, then re-check browser settings.
  • If problems persist, create a new Chrome profile or reinstall Chrome after removing the User Data folder (export bookmarks first).

Final notes: if accounts were used while infected, change passwords from a clean device. For future installs, choose Custom/Advanced setup and decline extras, and consider monitoring startup entries with Autoruns (Sysinternals) so bundled offers can’t persist unnoticed.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for caperjack

Search.Babylon.In Chrome, Go to the Wrench icon -> Tools -> Extensions. Uncheck “enabled” next to Babylon and then press the “Remove” button.

You must restart your browser for the changes to take effect.

Edited by caperjack
Member Avatar for Inlovewithnight

Hi, I followed your directions and Babylon is not listed under extensions in Chrome.

Member Avatar for gerbil

It's got cunning. They know you're going to try that...
Download OTL from http://oldtimer.geekstogo.com/OTL.exe
Dclick OTL.exe to start the application; in the window that opens choose, Scan All Users, Minimal Output, Standard Registry ALL, check both LOP and Purity boxes, and then press Run Scan.
The scan will take maybe 5 minutes; 2 notepads will present [they are saved to the place from where you ran OTL.exe] - post both, please.

Member Avatar for Inlovewithnight

Hi, I think I have fixed this. I ran Spybot which picked up quite a few entries for Babylon. I then went into Settings on Chrome. I looked for "on startup". I then hit "Open a specific page or set of pages." Then onto "set pages". Another window opened up that said startup page. In there Babylon was listed. So I deleted Babylon and typed in Google.com. Everything seems to be back to normal. No redirecting. If you think I should run OTL I will do it. Please let me know when you have a chance. Thanks so much.

Member Avatar for gerbil

Good work. No need for OTL now; Babylon is a persistent, well-embedded toolbar and redirector, no more.

Member Avatar for Inlovewithnight

Thank you for taking the time to offer to help me. Much appreciated.

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