Pro Search Tip is a potentially unwanted program that sneaks in during the installation of free software obtained from third-party sites

Pro Search Tip is a browser extension designed for Google Chrome and Safari browsers. According to its developers, the tool is created to help users find relevant information quicker. Unfortunately, that is not the case, and, if anything, this potentially unwanted program[1] only deteriorates web browsing experience by flooding web browsers with ads, pop-ups, promotional links, deals, banners, offers, and other sponsored content.
Just as most of the other PUPs, Pro Search Tip virus enters users' machines with the help of software bundling. This technique allows freeware and shareware developers to deceive users during the installation process so that they easily miss the infiltration of the unwanted application. Once inside, it changes the settings of all installed browsers and sets the homepage and new tab URL to Search.prosearchtip.com.
Only after Pro Search Tip removal, you can get rid of the unwanted activities that this hijacker undertakes. Check out this article if you want to find out how to terminate the unwanted app, as well as improve the overall security of your device.
| Name | Pro Search Tip |
| Type | Browser hijacker/PUP |
| Set homepage and new tab | Search.prosearchtip.com |
| Infection means | Software bundles, ads on third-party sites |
| Symptoms | Changed web browser homepage, search engine and new tab, intrusive ads, redirects, sponsored search results, etc. |
| Potential dangers | Installation of other PUPs, malware infections, money loss, personal data disclosure to unknown parties, etc. |
| Termination | Use security software or delete the PUP manually with the help of our guide below |
| Optimization | To make sure that your system runs well after the cyber infection, scan it with FortectIntego |
Initially, the term “Pro Search Tip virus” might not seem entirely correct, as potentially unwanted programs are not considered to be malware[2] (many of such apps can also be downloaded via official sources, such as the App store or Amazon). Nevertheless, after the installation, everything that is done on the internet via the browser is affected by the Pro Search Tip add-on, as it dramatically influences which sites users visit, what ads they see, etc.
Unfortunately, not all of the commercial content displayed by Pro Search Tip is safe, as developers of PUP rarely check the quality or safety of sites they link users to. Besides, they cannot be accountable for anything either, as they often state in their ToS that they are not responsible for any content that the app may lead users to.
Finally, Pro Search Tip hijack also causes some privacy concerns, as potentially unwanted programs collect a variety of non-personally identifiable information, such as:
- IP address;
- ISP;
- Technical details of the computer;
- Sites visited;
- Links clicked;
- Bookmarks added;
- List of installed apps;
- Cookies;
- Search queries, etc.
This type of tracking is used in order to generate targeted advertisements, which consequently brings developers profits. Sadly, this also means that users' searches, visited sites and even purchased products might not be of the highest quality. What is more, some of the websites might promote fake deals, phishing, survey scams and also make users download malware.
Therefore, hurry up and remove Pro Search Tip from your computer. You can do either manually or automatically, although the latter is much safer, quicker, and easier. Finally, to get the best results and make sure your device is in its best condition, experts[3] recommend downloading FortectIntego.

Do not get tricked to install potentially unwanted programs
While most of the frequent internet users already know about malware and how dangerous it is, threats like potentially unwanted programs are often forgotten. Nevertheless, PUPs might be very aggressive and even be just as harmful as malware, primarily if not handled carefully. Therefore, it is best to stay away from these unwanted apps in the first place.
There are two ways users infect their machines with browser hijackers, adware, or other PUPs:
- they unintentionally install it while establishing free software from the internet;
- they install it intentionally convinced by its functionality, not knowing that the application is actually PUP.
It is easy to avoid unwanted apps during shareware or freeware installation – you simply need to follow the installation steps carefully and not get deceived by pre-ticked boxes, grayed-out buttons, and similar tricks used by the developers. Most importantly, you should pick Advanced or Custom installation settings to terminate all the unwanted programs before they manage to sneak in.
When it comes to intentionally downloading potentially unwanted software, you should always make sure that the application is safe. First of all, you can scan the installer via tools like Virus Total. Secondly, you should always read reviews online, as they often hint if the app is safe.
Delete Pro Search Tip from your device either manually or automatically
There are two ways to remove Pro Search Tip virus from your device – either manually or automatically. While the first method can usually be accomplished quite easily (all you have to do is uninstall the browser extension), it might not be enough if you downloaded and installed additional apps while infected.
Therefore, automatic Pro Search Tip removal should be performed in a case when the suspicious activity does not cease. This can be accomplished by scanning the device with anti-malware software, especially the one that specializes in potentially unwanted programs would be effective. Otherwise, please follow the guide below and terminate Pro Search Tip manually.
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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