Mysearch24.com and Search.Mysearch24.com are typical browser hijackers
Mysearch24.com (also known as Search.Mysearch24.com) is a suspicious search engine that is closely related to another browser hijacker Nova.rambler.ru which has initiated lots of discussions.[1] These two domain names provide almost identical service. The only difference is their appearance which changes from blue to while color.
This potentially unwanted program (PUP) can get inside the computer bundled with freeware or shareware and alter browser’s settings. As a result, users will find this suspicious search engine set as their homepage. The main page of Mysearch24 virus includes links to social networks, video streaming platforms, news websites and online shops.
However, the most important information is hidden under two links at the bottom of the page. Yes, we are talking about Terms of Use and Privacy Policy[2]. You should know that Mysearch24 collects personal and anonymous information. Such data includes user’s name, email and home addresses, phone number, browsing history and habits. Hijacker’s ability to track personally identifiable information might be dangerous and lead you to privacy-related issues.
In addition, the Privacy Policy reveals that aggregated data is shared with authorized service providers and business partners. Usually, these partners are advertising networks, and you might be flooded with commercial content. However, you can never be sure whether your home address or phone number won’t be shared with criminals.
Thus, if this search tool appeared on your browser, you should run a full system scan with FortectIntego or another reputable anti-malware program. It’s the quickest way to remove Mysearch24 together with its components.
Additional uses of this hijacker
Apart from tracking data, the so-called Mysearch24.com virus can also put your computer at risk. As we have mentioned at the beginning, this search tool is related to another hijacker. When you type necessary search keyword and press enter, it redirects to Nova Rambler results page.
The biggest threat here is that some of the results may lead to the potentially dangerous websites. It happens because such search engines are always designed in a way that they can alter search results and include sponsored links. When users are tricked to click on a third-party link, developers generate revenue for boosting traffic to a particular website.
Meanwhile, users can suffer from dangerous redirect tendencies that could end up on phishing or malicious tech support scam websites. Besides you might end up on an Internet site that has been created to spread malware.
Apart from delivering questionable links, the hijacker might also deliver misleading ads and alerts. For example, when we were analyzing this program, the main page included a fake video player that tried to connect. However, within few seconds, it informed about streaming error and asked to update software from the provided link. We want to point out that clicking on such links and downloading unknown updates might lead to the installation of ransomware, Trojan or other malware. Thus, you should never do it!
Therefore, using this tool might have negative consequences. Not only you might suffer from some online crime, but also become a victim in the real world. Revealing your private details, such as home address, can easily end up with robbed house. However, it’s not the worst scenario. Some shady people might be interested in stealing your identity[3] as well. Thus, you should not hesitate and perform Mysearch24 removal. It’s the only way to stay safe.
Browser hijacker travels as an optional component in the software packages
You can notice the hijack of your system right after you download software from the unknown online sources and rely on Quick/Recommended installation settings. PUPs are usually distributed as optional components in the software packages. Thus, whenever you install a new program, you have to make sure that you are installing a single program. In order to do that you need to install new software under Advanced/Custom settings. This configuration reveals the list of optional programs and allows rejecting their installation. One of the steps might include pre-selected agreement to make Mysearch24.com or other unknown search provider your default homepage address. Thus, you must untick this option, as well as other third-party programs that might be offered to install too.
Removal of the Mysearch24.com browser hijacker
In order to remove Mysearch24, you need to find and delete all hijacker-related entires. They might be installed on the computer and web browsers. Thus, you need to check programs’ and browser extensions’ list and uninstall all suspicious files or apps. Below you will find instructions that will guide you through this process. However, there’s a simpler Mysearch24 removal option. You can install a reputable anti-malware program and run a full system scan. Your chosen software will clean all hijacker-related components immediately.
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.
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