MyShopSearch is a browser hijacker that changes your search engine
Browser hijackers are an annoying occurrence for web users. MyShopSearch changes default browser settings like the homepage to Myshopsearch.com and displays deceiving advertisements while browsing the internet. This is a fake search engine because it does not provide unique search results but imports them straight from Google, which depend on your geolocation, so you might receive advertising content in your native language. By keeping this app in your system, you are putting your private information at risk of being exposed.
Additionally, pop-up ads displayed by MyShopSearch.com can be deceitful and lead users to shady websites where they can infect their devices with other PUPs and enter their personal information in an untrustworthy site
The most likely reason you are experiencing your browser behavior change is that you have a potentially unwanted application installed in your system which is performing these tasks without your knowledge. So changing your browser setting back to the way they were before will not fix it. The problem will exist until you find the program that is responsible for the operation.
| NAME | MyShopSearch |
| TYPE | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| DISTRIBUTION | Bundled software, deceiving pop-up advertisements |
| SYMPTOMS | Browser's default search engine and other settings are altered; search results are shown from a different provider |
| DANGERS | Personal information tracking; pop-ups leading to dangerous websites |
| ELIMINATION | Remove the browser hijacker by scanning your device and finding the unwanted program performing these tasks without your consent |
| FURTHER STEPS | Use system diagnostics software FortectIntego to fix any damage caused by adware |
Bogus sites are used to show users commercial content like pop-ups and banners. Cybercriminals make money via pay-per-click ads. Alongside the malicious ads, they display legitimate ones, so it can be quite difficult to tell that something is operating in your system behind your back.
Besides being a PUP, MyShopSearch might also be a browser extension that you have added by accident or by visiting a shady website that tricked you into doing it. If you want to remove an unwanted browser extension, you can do it manually by going to your browser settings' extension section.
Potentially unwanted programs disturb users' ease of use
Otherwise called PUPs or PUAs are one of the biggest problems you are experiencing issues while using your device. These programs can show themselves in a couple of different forms that could be anything from noticing that your device has slowed down to an unfamiliar browser extension suddenly added to your search engine.
When experiencing some kind of difficulty, it is harder for people to find the perpetrator if it is a PUP. After trying to change the system or browser settings to default, they quickly change back, which can cause a lot of confusion. Potentially unwanted programs come masked as regular apps that can seem to provide a lot of benefit for the user. But in reality, they usually just pretend to perform.
Usually, PUAs appear via bundled software. This happens when users download free app versions on third-party websites and hurry during the installation process. Users then do not notice that additional software was included as a package.
For example, this might be antivirus software that claims to be able to clean your system from unused files or clean your browsers. The program shows you that it cleaned up digital space for you when in fact, it did nothing. Instead, PUPs act in the background, collecting browsing data and using it how they want. They also can change important settings.
You can remove unneeded browser extensions or potentially unwanted programs by yourself, but if you do not know what you are doing and need assistance, we recommend using professional security software SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes – these can help try and fix any damage done if there is some.
If you had enough of scammy ads showing up on your screen, below you will find instructions on how you can remove unwanted 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 the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Once you have successfully removed the malicious extensions from the browser, you should take a few more steps to get rid of this cyber threat completely. 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.
Protect yourself from suspicious extensions and programs
To prevent malicious extensions and PUPs from getting into your system, you can take these steps:
- When downloading apps from third-party distributors, do not rush through the installation process. Make sure there are no additional programs included together that you do not need. If you notice any, make sure to untick the boxes next to their names. Read through the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy. See what permissions you are granting for the program.
- Do not click on random ads carelessly. Check if there are no grammar or spelling mistakes and if the imaging looks professional. Also, read the domain and determine if it does not look suspicious.
- Research before adding anything to your browser. Read the reviews about extensions, look if anyone had any issues and decide if they are trustworthy.
If removing the extension did not help or you could not find it, you can reset your browser altogether. To reset Google Chrome manually, please follow these steps:
- 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.
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.
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.
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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