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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Dec 2020

How to remove Dosearch Lite

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Gabriel E. Hall · Passionate web researcher

Dosearch Lite is a browser-hijacking app that redirects your searches through affiliate networks

Dosearch Lite

Dosearch Lite is an extension compatible with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, MS Edge, or other web browsers. While users might download it on some official sources, it typically comes packed with freeware bundles, which results in unintentional infiltration (due to this, some users might not even be aware that their browsers were hijacked). Additionally, the potentially unwanted program[1] might also be found on various dubious websites, promoted as a useful add-on for enhanced browsing experience. 

Once installed, the Dosearch Lite hijack might not be visually visible immediately. However, as soon as a search query is typed and Enter is pressed, users can briefly see the tailsearch.com URL before they are rerouted to the landing page, which might be set to different providers, such as Google, Yahoo, Bing, or others.

Due to the presence of the so-called Dosearch Lite virus, generated search results will not be accurate, as many sponsored links and ads will be inserts at the top. Also, infected users will be subjected to information tracking in the background.

Name Dosearch Lite 
Type Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program
IP address 172.67.194.248 
Distribution Software bundle packages, deceptive ads, fake update prompts
Related URLs tailsearch.com, my-search.com, search-checker.com
Risks Installation of other potentially unwanted programs, financial losses, personal information disclosure to unknown parties or cybercriminals
Removal You can delete potentially unwanted programs by following the manual guide below or by scanning the computer with powerful anti-malware software
Optional steps Computer infections can cause significant damage to system files or disrupt normal settings. To revert these changes and remediate the operating system, perform a full system scan with FortectIntego repair software

Potentially unwanted programs, such as browser hijackers, are generally not considered to be malicious like Trojans or ransomware. They will not infect whole computer or download other malware automatically. However, there are several, rather negative, traits of every PUP – hence the word “unwanted” within the name.

One of the main reason why Dosearch Lite is categorized as a potentially unwanted application is due to its distribution practices. In most cases, users do not install this app intentionally, as its main distribution method is rather deceptive. Hence, users download the app along freeware from third-party websites.

Once installed, Dosearch Lite hijacker performs a variety of browser changes, some of which are not apparent or visible. For example, you might see the regular google.com website as your homepage. However, as soon as the search query is entered, you might be rerouted though the following URLs:

Such Dosearch Lite redirect is deliberate, as it allows the app developers to insert ads into users' searches. This means that, instead of seeing results that are relevant to you, you might be fed links that benefit the app authors – each click made by users results in monetary gain.

While developers gather money via clicks, you will be subjected to various inconveniences. Due to intrusive advertisements, you might struggle to find relevant information, and all the search results will be delivered by a provider you might not be so keen on, for example, Bing.

Dosearch Lite virus

However, altered search results in not the only reason to remove Dosearch Lite from your computer for good. In the background, the app is tracking your online activities and records the IP address, ISP, geolocation, technical details, installed apps, among other details. This information might later be shared with third parties, further increasing profits from the browser hijacker.

Thus, if you value your privacy and want to return to ad-free browsing, you should perform Dosearch Lite removal as soon as possible. For that, you need to uninstall the related extension – you can reach it by accessing your web browser's settings.

Additionally, if you did not install Dosearch Lite intentionally, experts[2] also recommend performing additional system checks with SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, or another reliable security software. This will ensure that no stealthy malware is present on the device. If something is indeed found, a FortectIntego scan could fix the virus damage that could have been sustained due to the infection.

Potentially unwanted programs are often hidden within software bundles

The reason why browser hijackers and other PUPs are so widespread lies within their distribution techniques. These apps are not considered malware, and they are not delivered via contaminated email spam or drive-by downloads [3], but deception is often used for the purpose.

Instead, developers take an approach that would make the distribution of such a program legal – software bundling. Distributors, as well as software authors, are very keen on using this technique as it is one of the best ways to monetize (this is also the reason why there are so many “free” apps around).

Since many users like to download apps for free, they often visit third-party sites. In here, users might download an installation package that contains additional or several components. If not being careful, users accept the install without even noticing it. Typically, pre-ticked boxes, misplaced buttons, fine print text, and other tricks are used to mislead users.

This is why you should be very careful during the installation of free software – always pick Advanced/Custom settings to stay in control of the process, remove all the undesired ticks, and watch ours for misleading deals/offers on the way.

Dosearch Lite removal should be an easy process

The good thing about browser hijackers is that they are not difficult to get rid of – in most cases. Hence, to remove Dosearch Lite, all you have to do is access the settings section of your browser and delete the correlating extension. If you are unaware of how to do that, you can follow the steps we provide below. We also explain how to clean web browser data and cookies for the best results.

Some apps of a similar kind, such as Mazy Search or Search Marquis, are known to set the “Managed by your organization” setting on the browser illegally, thus preventing an easy termination. In this case, Dosearch Lite removal might become rather difficult, although you can always rely on powerful anti-malware software that detects PUPs. It would delete all the unwanted entries automatically.

Dosearch Lite redirect

If you encounter other suspicious apps on your system besides the Dosearch Lite virus, you should also ensure that browsers are reset fully. You might also need additional tools to help you restore the normal functions of your operating system after a malware infection.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

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

Remove the unwanted program:

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

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

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

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

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

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

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

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

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

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

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

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

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

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