Pongponger.click

Pongponger.click is a sneaky browser hijacker that alters your search engine, homepage, and new tab settings—typically without your permission. It fills your browser with ads, reroutes your searches through suspicious pages, and quietly tracks your browsing activity. Although it might seem harmless at first, it exposes you to further threats and privacy risks.

---

Threat Summary

Threat Type	Browser Hijacker / PUP
Detection Names	Browser redirect/hijacker, PUP
Symptoms	Pop-ups, redirects, changed homepage/search engine
Damage & Distribution	Alters browser settings, injects ads, tracks browsing
Danger Level	Medium – intrusive and privacy-invasive
SpyHunter Removal Tool	https://www.enigmasoftware.com/products/spyhunter/?ref=ywuxmtf

---

What Pongponger.click Changes in Your Browser

Pongponger.click hijacks your browser by forcefully changing default settings like your homepage, search engine, and new tab page. Once active, it aggressively pushes ads, opens unwanted tabs, and directs your searches through shady third-party engines to generate traffic and revenue for its operators.

These unwanted changes also slow down browser performance and may cause frequent crashes. Notifications, if enabled, will bombard you with misleading content and scam promotions.

---

How Pongponger.click Hijacked Your Homepage

The most common infection vectors include:

• Software bundles packaged with freeware or pirated tools.
• Fake software updates or deceptive “Allow to continue” prompts.
• Malicious browser extensions installed from third-party sources.
• Clicking infected ads or links on untrustworthy websites.

Once installed, the hijacker modifies browser preferences and sets policies that resist manual changes—making it difficult to remove without a cleanup tool.

---

Will Pongponger.click Steal My Data?

While Pongponger.click isn’t classified as a virus, it does engage in tracking. It can harvest:

• Browsing history
• Clicks and time on page
• Search queries
• IP address and location data

This information is often used to deliver hyper-targeted ads but may also be sold to shady third parties, increasing the risk of phishing attacks and other scams. The longer it remains on your system, the greater the privacy risk.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

Conclusion

Pongponger.click is more than just an annoying redirect—it undermines your browsing experience, endangers your privacy, and opens the door to more serious threats. To stay safe, act quickly: remove shady extensions, reset browser settings, block notifications, and run a complete malware scan. Prevention is key—stick with official download sources and avoid clicking “Allow” on sketchy sites.