Search.onesearch.org search engine tracks information about users

Search.onesearch.org is a search engine created by Polarity Technologies that offers quick access to popular websites and email services. Nevertheless, it redirects search queries to Yahoo; it’s not a reliable program. Security experts know it as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and a browser hijacker.
The browser extension spreads in software packages and might hijack the browser without asking direct user’s permission. However, right after such program places its components in Windows Registry, it also installs an extension to each web browser that is installed on the affected machine. This extension alters browser’s settings and sets this page as your new main page and a default search engine.
Be aware of the fact that this search website looks completely safe, but it can bring sponsored or even more severe search outcomes to you. Please keep in mind that this page might deliver search outcomes that hold corrupted hyperlinks, so do not be surprised if you end up on an entirely different page than you expected to visit. Such Search.onesearch.org redirect tendencies are supposed to generate pay-per-click revenue for the developers of this site (OneSearch).
We have noticed that so-called Search.onesearch.org virus[1] might reroute you to pages that ask to install some suspicious programs for free – you should not fall for such suggestions. Otherwise, you risk infecting your computer with questionable programs that MIGHT cause harm to your computer. Also, if you will ever be asked to reveal your personal information[2] when you visit unknown websites – DO NOT do that.
However, this search engine itself might collect a bunch of different information about users, such as:
- type of the browser;
- type of the operating system;
- IP address;
- geographic location;
- the domain name of the Internet service provider (ISP);
- browsing-related information (search queries, visited websites, etc.);
- and other details.
If you do not like an idea of being spied on, you should hurry up with Search.onesearch.org removal. The longer you let it stay on Chrome, Firefox or another web browser, the more problems it might cause. Therefore, you can quickly get rid of it with an anti-spyware[3] program, such as FortectIntego or SpyHunterCombo Cleaner.
Additionally, you can remove Search.onesearch.org manually. At the end of the article, you will find detailed instructions on how to delete all hijacker-related entries.

Versions of Search.onesearch.org browser hijacker
Games.onesearch.org. This version of the PUP usually spread as a Games NewTab extension. It might hijack popular web browsers and set games.onesearch.org as default search engine. After the installation, it might cause other problems, such as delivery of ads, redirects to suspicious sites and data tracking.
Therefore, this program might pose a risk to your privacy. Aggregated information might be shared with third-parties that are usually are advertising networks. Unfortunately, some of them might be distributing malicious ads.[4] Thus, hijacker’s removal is a must.
Email.onesearch.org. The hijacker spreads in software bundles and pretends to be a useful search tool that offers quick access to popular email services. However, trusting and installing it is not recommended. It might hijack startup page, set its domain as default search engine, and deliver unwanted commercial content.
Additionally, Email.onesearch.org virus might collect various information about users in order to participate in the online advertising business. The hijacker might display ads and paid links and profit from the clicks on them. However, they may lead to high-risk websites as well.
Converter.onesearch.org. This PUP share the similar features as the versions discussed above. It enters travels with the help of freeware, enters the system silently and triggers numerous changes. The Converter.onesearch.org virus might replace browser’s homepage and search engine address. In order to strengthen its presence, it might alter Registry and several Windows shortcuts.
In order to reject these changes and uninstall the hijacker, users might need to employ a professional antivirus or anti-malware. We do not recommend postponing this task because it might also track various information about users.
Software bundling – the main distribution strategy of the PUP
Bundling technique is the most popular way to spread potentially unwanted products. It makes it possible to distribute several programs together as a one software pack. It can nicely “force” you to install unwanted programs – the installation setup of such bundled software tends to hide the agreements to install optional apps under “Default” or “Basic” installation options.
To refuse to install them, you need to choose “Advanced” or “Custom” settings and then deselect any suspicious suggestions to install unfamiliar software.[5]
Eliminate Search.onesearch.org in a correct way
Although it is not a malicious threat, it is definitely an annoying computer parasite that should not be kept on the system. Thus, you should remove Search.onesearch.org either automatically or manually. The manual removal guide is given below the text.
However, if you fail with manual Search.onesearch.org removal, you should opt for the automatic elimination option. You can recognize the failure from finding this site on the browser or seeing intrusive ads again.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

Was this guide helpful?
2 comments