Oksearch.org – a browser hijacker that spreads with freeware bundles

Oksearch.org is a potentially unwanted program (PUP[1]) that changes the device's default search engine to OK Search, so all inquires go through it. Because of this, this PUP is called a browser hijacker. When people get redirected, their whole browsing experience might be impeded because the search result might not be what they were expecting. It's categorized as a PUP because most people get this browser hijacking extension unknowingly.
The shady Oksearch.org virus is affecting only two browsers – Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. However, research suggests that both companies have removed this PUP from their add-on shops. This browser hijacker not only changes the search engine preferences that could lead to redirects to malicious sites but also adds extensions and might install applications on the system.
| name | Oksearch.org |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Distribution | Freeware bundles, pirated software installers, deceptive ads |
| IP address | 37.97.190.239 |
| Symptoms | All searches redirected through oksearch.org, slower computer performance |
| Issues | Browsing data leakage, additional PUP appearance of the device, disturbed browsing experience |
| Removal | If this PUP got onto your computer unwillingly and you don't like the search results that it's presenting you, remove Oksearch.org with the help of a reliable anti-malware software |
| System Repair | PUPs often damage system settings. So after OK Search removal, users should use the FortectIntego tool to reverse any changes the browser hijacker might have done |
Apps like these generate revenue from affiliate marketing, i.e., they push ads of software instead of showing users proper search results. When oksearch.org browser hijacker is installed, it might redirect users to sites with malicious content, i.e., malware.[2] That might lead to serious computer infections. Furthermore, in their “Terms of Use” section, they state that:
We collect your personal data when you provide it to us. We can share this data with third-party tools or partners.
That being said, it's worth mentioning that using OK search browser hijacker might not be safe. If this PUP ended up on your device unknowingly, or you're not satisfied with its performance, don't doubt for a second to uninstall it.
You could use SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes apps to automatically remove Oksearch.org browser hijacker with all its allocated files. It can run various installations automatically and download VPN tools, browser-based applications, extensions, or rogue system optimizers behind your back, so you need this automatic process to ensure that the PC is virus-free.
Afterward, when Oksearch.org removal is completed, experts[3] advise running a full system scan with the FortectIntego app to find and fix whatever this PUP might have done to the system registry and other settings. It might trigger alterations to your startup preferences and registry entries or disable some tools needed for security.

Instructions to evade PUPs like browser hijackers
There is far more hazardous malware than browser hijackers, but that doesn't mean that they can't cause some real damage to computers. More severe viruses could be downloaded when browser hijackers redirect users to malicious sites that are riddled with computer infections.
Most of the PUPs are distributed via freeware bundles and misleading apps. Freeware bundles are software installation packages that contain more than one application. When users install this kind of software, they usually choose the express installation option because who has time to read terms of use or use custom installations mode, right? WRONG!
If you want to evade browser hijackers and PUPs alike, please always choose the Custom or Advanced installation options and watch out for pre-ticked boxes. That's how PUPs get into computers. Uncheck the pre-ticked boxes from all suggested apps, excluding the one you were willing to get.
Oksearch.org browser hijacker elimination and a quick system tune-up guide
Installation and usage of Oksearch.org PUP as a search engine might lead to serious malware infections. If this program isn't what you wanted and it got on your device unwillingly, then you should uninstall it immediately.
To remove Oksearch.org browser hijacker from your computer, we suggest using time-tested anti-malware apps. Either of these apps will not only eliminate the PUP but might protect your device from other, more severe malware attacks.
Whether you delete the OK Search app or not, system repair is crucial, because PUP like this one are more than able to do extensive damage to the system registry and other settings. It is highly recommended to perform a full system scan with the system optimization tool to locate and revert any changes that oksearch.org might have done to your device.
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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