Color Picker Tool – geco

Color Picker Tool – geco is a deceptive browser extension that poses as a legitimate color picker utility. Although it may appear useful and comes with fake positive reviews, it secretly performs browser hijacking actions. Once installed, it tracks your browsing habits, injects intrusive advertisements, and redirects you to potentially harmful websites. This extension is part of a broader campaign involving fake productivity tools that serve malicious purposes.

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Threat Overview

Attribute	Details
Threat type	Adware / Browser hijacker
Associated domain	Chrome Web Store installers under the “geco” name
Detection names	Often flagged as “Geco extension” or browser hijacker variants
Symptoms of infection	Pop-up ads, unexpected redirects, altered search engine/homepage, browser marked “Managed by your organization”
Damage	Compromised browsing privacy, redirects to unsafe websites, unauthorized policy changes
Distribution methods	Bundled software, misleading download prompts, rogue advertisements
Danger level	Medium – privacy invasive, redirects to malicious content, hard to remove manually
Removal tool	SpyHunter (Download SpyHunter here)

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Detailed Analysis

How You Got Infected

Most users install Color Picker Tool – geco thinking it’s a helpful color selection utility for design or development purposes. However, the extension is often distributed through bundled software downloads or deceptive pop-ups on suspicious websites. Once installed, it modifies browser settings without user consent.

What It Does

After installation, the extension begins monitoring browser activity and inserts targeted ads or redirect scripts into visited webpages. It often sets policies that display a “Managed by your organization” message in Chrome, making it difficult for users to remove the extension through standard settings. These policies can block access to basic browser configurations and allow for continuous reinstallation of the extension.

Should You Be Worried?

Yes. While Color Picker Tool – geco does not encrypt files like ransomware, it significantly compromises your online privacy and opens the door to more serious malware threats. The redirection to potentially harmful websites increases the risk of phishing, spyware infections, and identity theft. It is critical to remove this threat promptly using a reputable malware removal tool.

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SpyHunter Removal Tool

For safe and thorough removal of the Color Picker Tool – geco extension and any associated browser policies, use SpyHunter. This tool detects and eliminates malicious browser extensions, resets affected browser settings, and removes any persistent configurations blocking manual uninstallation.
Download it here.

Option 1: Manual Browser Hijacker Removal

Step 1: Uninstall Suspicious Software

For Windows:

1. Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Look for recently installed or unknown software.
3. Select the suspicious program and click Uninstall.
4. Follow the uninstaller’s prompts.

For Mac:

1. Open Finder > Applications.
2. Locate any unfamiliar apps you didn’t intentionally install.
3. Drag them to the Trash.
4. Right-click the Trash and select Empty Trash.

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Step 2: Reset Each Web Browser Affected

Google Chrome:

1. Go to chrome://settings/reset.
2. Click Restore settings to their original defaults > Reset settings.
3. Then, visit chrome://extensions and remove any suspicious add-ons.
4. Change your search engine:
   Settings > Search Engine > Manage search engines — remove unwanted entries and set a trusted one like Google.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Click the menu icon (three lines) > Help > More Troubleshooting Information.
2. Click Refresh Firefox.
3. After reset, check Add-ons and Themes and remove unwanted extensions.
4. Navigate to Settings > Home/Search and revert changes to your preferred provider.

Microsoft Edge:

1. Click menu (three dots) > Settings > Reset Settings > Restore settings to their default values.
2. Open edge://extensions and remove any unfamiliar plugins.
3. Reconfigure your homepage and search engine if needed.

Safari (Mac Only):

1. Open Safari > Click Safari in the top menu > Clear History (select All History).
2. Go to Preferences > Extensions, remove unknown entries.
3. Under General, set your homepage.
4. Under Search, revert to your preferred search provider.

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Step 3: Check and Clean Your Hosts File

On Windows:

1. Open Notepad as Administrator.
2. Go to:
   C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
3. Look for unknown IPs or domains — remove them.
4. Save changes and reboot.

On Mac:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Run: sudo nano /etc/hosts
3. Identify and remove hijacker entries.
4. Press Control + O to save and Control + X to exit.

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Option 2: Automatic Removal Using SpyHunter

If you want a faster and safer solution — especially if the hijacker reinstalls after manual removal — use SpyHunter, a trusted anti-malware tool.

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

Visit the official download page: Download SpyHunter

Need help with the installation? Follow this page: SpyHunter Download Instructions

Step 2: Install and Launch the Program

1. Run the installer and follow the steps for your OS.
2. Open SpyHunter after installation.

Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan

1. Click Start Scan Now.
2. Wait while SpyHunter analyzes your computer for browser hijackers, malware, and other PUPs.
3. Once the scan completes, click Fix Threats to eliminate them.

Step 4: Reboot and Recheck Your Browser

After cleaning, restart your device. Open your browser and check if your homepage and search settings are restored. If not, perform a quick browser reset using the manual steps above.

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How to Prevent Future Infections

• Avoid downloading freeware from third-party sites.
• Use custom/advanced installation and deselect optional offers.
• Keep your browser and OS updated.
• Regularly scan your system with SpyHunter for proactive defense.
• Don’t click strange pop-ups or redirect links from unknown sources.

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Conclusion

Color Picker Tool – geco is a harmful Chrome extension disguised as a productivity tool. It compromises your browser security, tracks user activity, and redirects to suspicious domains. Though it may seem minor compared to ransomware, its persistence and privacy violations make it a serious risk. Immediate removal with a trusted anti-malware program like SpyHunter is strongly advised to restore your browser's integrity and protect your data.