Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search: what it is and how to remove it
Anzsearch.com.au is a domain that users might see as their startup page on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or another web browser. While some users might install this browser plugin (or a standalone application) intentionally, most people notice it on their machines after the installation of freeware downloaded from third-party websites.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search: summary
| Distribution | Browser hijackers might be installed by users from legitimate websites, although they can also be spread via deceptive distribution techniques such as software bundles or fake update prompts/questionable ads |
|---|---|
| Damage | In some rare cases, the presence of a PUP might result in monetary losses, personal information disclosure to unknown parties/cybercriminals or installation of malware |
| Name | Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search |
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| Symptoms | ANZ Search extension installed on your web browser; other unknown apps installed on the computer without permission; homepage is set to anzsearch.com.au; slower operation of the web browser |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 5 more facts
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
|---|---|
| Search page | anzsearch.com |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 2 September 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search changes in your browser
We understand website content in real time and serve website users with the most relevant ads sourced from our direct advertiser base. We specialize in search engine technology, and aim to help owners of websites and web networks generate revenue.
Is Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search dangerous? What it collects
From our report of Sep 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search
- In some cases, potentially unwanted programs and malware might interfere with regular computer or browser functions after elimination.
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
anzsearch.com
How to remove Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search
How to remove Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search and get your search engine back
Remove the extension first.
The search settings only stay fixed once nothing on the PC can change them again.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search often works through an extension, so go through the extension list of each browser:
chrome://extensionsedge://extensions- Extensions and themes in Firefox
Switch suspicious extensions off one at a time and reload the page where the problem shows, then remove the one that stops it, and any other you did not add.
Remember the other browsers and profiles on the PC. If Remove is missing or greyed out, a policy forces the extension, which the policy step deals with. Windows 11 and Windows 10 show the same pages.

Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Put the search engine back and delete anzsearch.com
Searches that pass through
anzsearch.commean the browser's default search engine was replaced. Chrome: Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, then Make default on Google, Bing or another engine you chose, and Delete on anzsearch.com.Edge has the same list under Manage search engines (search the Settings page for it), and Firefox under Settings > Search.
Look at On startup and the homepage settings too and remove the hijacker's address there. Nothing in this step differs between Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11, or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10, and sort the list by install date. Look at what appeared around the day the problem started and uninstall every program you do not recognise or did not choose.
Free converters, PDF and video tools, "system optimizers" and unknown browsers are the usual carriers of Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search. If a name is unclear, search for it before you remove it, so you do not uninstall a driver or a Windows component.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 4: Reset the browser
Finish the browser part with a reset, which puts the search engine, start page, new tab page and site permissions back to their defaults and switches extensions off. Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.
Edge: Settings > Reset settings. Firefox: Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox, which also removes its extensions. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are kept, and the menus are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.
Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.

Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Uninstall from Windows
In case Anzsearch.com.au hijacker does not disappear after extension removal, check for potentially unwanted programs on 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.

Remove from Google Chrome
PUPs might sometimes leave traces behind. If you keep seeing ads on Google Chrome, reset it as follows:
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.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
If you are unable to eliminate unwanted extensions from MS Edge, follow these steps to reset the browser:
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.

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.

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.

Protect your privacy - employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private - you can access an incognito tab.
However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise.
Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers - human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence.
In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market - it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
From our report of Sep 2020 · not reviewed since
Anzsearch.com.au is a typical browser hijacker that should be uninstalled from your web browser
Anzsearch.com.au is a domain that users might see as their startup page on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or another web browser.
While some users might install this browser plugin (or a standalone application) intentionally, most people notice it on their machines after the installation of freeware downloaded from third-party websites. This is because browser hijackers are known to use software bundling for distribution - a technique which deliberately hides optional components within a program installer.
Once inside the system, the ANZ Search hijack would first be seen on the homepage of the web browser - it would be set to hxxp://anzsearch.com.au. From that time, all the search queries would be redirected via this URL, and the search results would be filled with sponsored links.
Besides meddling with users' searchers, browser hijackers are also set up to track their online activities to later profit from targeted advertisements. Besides, users who have Anzsearch.com.au installed might also struggle to find relevant information.
Browser hijackers are among the most common browser nuisances around, and, while they usually do not pose any significant security risks, they should never be ignored - some PUPs can be extremely difficult to deal with (for example, Anzsearch.com.au removal might not be as easy as anticipated).
Recently, browser-hijacking applications such as Flare Search, Search Marquis, QuericsSearch, and others, have been applying "Managed by your organization" status to users' browsers, which made the termination procedure much more difficult. When it comes to non-suspicious extensions, they can be terminated by simply right-clicking on them or accessing the adequate section of the browser settings menu.
Just as any other PUP developers, Anzsearch.com.au creators claim that their product is extremely useful to everyone - enhanced search results and the "ultimate" browsing experience is allegedly guaranteed. Nonetheless, app authors also disclose that the main goal of theirs is showing users ads:
When it comes to "relevant ads," these do not come seemingly out of nowhere - developers need to track user online behavior and location in order to provide targeted advertisements.
In other words, if you were looking to buy a new car, your searches will soon be filled with ads that offer you cars, although there is no guarantee that these ads will indeed be trustworthy or reliable. As seen from the message above, Anzsearch.com.au simply attempts to monetize user clicks, but that does not mean that it is in the best interests of the user.
From a security point of view, ANZ Search is relatively safe and will not show you malicious ads or redirect to malware-laden sites. However, browser hijackers can often be bundled with other programs that could indeed result in virus infection, so you should always check your device for such software.
You can remove Anzsearch.com.au from your web browser by eliminating the ANZ Search extension. Note that browser changes might have also been initiated by another program installed on your machine - we suggest you check your device as per instructions provided below and then scan it with anti-malware software. In case you found malware on your machine, repair the issues it may cause post-termination with tools such as .


From our report of Sep 2020 · not reviewed since
Detect optional programs before they manage to break into your machine
While some users might install browser hijackers intentionally after being tricked by their supposed functionality, most people find PUPs on their machines without giving direct permission for entry.
This usually happens when users do not pay close attention to the installation process of freeware programs or/and download apps from pirated software sites (torrents). Nonetheless, freeware developers and software hosting sites are also guilty of deliberately hiding optional programs from users and relying on their negligence for profits.
However, you can almost always prevent such a dubious behavior by following simple security tips provided by novirus.uk researchers:
- Only download programs from secure sources;
- Avoid software cracks, pirated programs, repacked installers, etc.;
- During the installation of new apps, always pick Advanced/Custom mode instead of Recommended/Quick one, as it will allow you to stay in control of the process;
- Remove all ticks from checkboxes, watch out of misplaced button placements, read the fine print, and never rush the installation process altogether;
- Install powerful anti-malware software and enable the PUP detection feature.
From our report of Sep 2020 · not reviewed since
Uninstall Anzsearch.com.au easily
It is evident that ads and sponsored links are not something most love to deal with, especially if such content becomes intrusive.
Browser hijackers typically masquerade by fake promises of improved search results or features that are rarely useful or unique for the end-user. In reality, the so-called Anzsearch.com.au virus is there to show you ads and monetize your clicks, tracking you in the background.
To remove Anzsearch.com.au, all you have to do is eliminate the ANZ Search extension from your web browser. If, for some reason, you are incapable of doing so, we advise you to reset the web browser as explained below.
Once Anzsearch.com.au removal is complete, you should also perform additional checks with a powerful security program to make sure that no other PUPs or malware are present on the machine.

Questions about Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search
Is it safe to keep anzsearch.com as my search engine?
It is not recommended. Searches through anzsearch.com usually still return results, but the operator sees every query, often stores it with an identifier for your browser and shows extra ads or paid links. Some hijacked results lead to fake downloads or scam pages.
You also did not choose it, which means something changed your settings without asking and may still be installed. Set your own search engine back, remove the extension or program that set anzsearch.com, and check the browser's other settings, such as the start page and notification permissions, for further changes made at the same time.
Did anzsearch.com come with a program I installed?
Most likely, yes. Search hijackers such as anzsearch.com usually arrive with free software, where an extra offer is pre-ticked in the installer, or as an extension that promises something useful, such as file conversion, maps, recipes or streaming.
Look at Settings, Apps, Installed apps sorted by install date: whatever was installed just before the search engine changed is the main suspect. Uninstall it, then remove any extension you do not recognise. In future, choose the custom or advanced option in installers and untick extra offers, and install extensions only from the official store pages of publishers you know.
Why do my searches go to anzsearch.com?
Because the browser's default search engine was changed to it. Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search did that through an extension, a program or a browser policy, and as long as that source remains, the setting points to anzsearch.com.
The page then passes your query to a real search provider, so the results look almost normal, with extra sponsored links on top. Changing the search engine back on its own does not last, because the source resets it. Remove the extension or program first, then the policies if any, then set your own search engine.
Is it safe to keep searching with anzsearch.com?
We would not. Every query you type is logged by its operators and shared with their advertising partners, and the sponsored links at the top are chosen for payment, not relevance. Results that look like a download page or a support site may lead to scams.
The page will not damage Windows by itself, but there is no benefit in keeping it: the results come from another search engine anyway. Remove Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search and use that search engine directly, by typing its address or choosing it in the browser settings.
Which browsers does Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search affect?
We saw it in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. That does not mean the other browsers on your PC are safe: hijacker installers usually change every browser they find, and browser sync can carry an extension to other computers signed in to the same account.
Check the search engine, home page, new tab, extensions and policies in each browser you have, including ones you rarely open. Chrome and Edge profiles count separately, so switch to each profile and check it as well before you call the job done.
What does anzsearch.com know about me?
It knows what you searched for while it was your search engine, when, from which IP address and with which browser, and usually which results you opened. Tracking cookies let it connect those searches into a profile. It does not see your saved passwords or files.
After removing Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search, delete the cookies and site data for anzsearch.com so the profile cannot be continued, and remove it from the browser's list of saved search engines. Signing out of important sites and back in also replaces session cookies.
Should I just switch to another browser?
It may not help. Installers that add hijackers usually target every browser on the PC, and system-level changes such as the hosts file, DNS or proxy affect all browsers at once. A new browser also leaves the hijacker's program and extension in place, collecting data in the old one.
Remove Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search properly first. After that, use whichever browser you prefer; Chrome, Edge and Firefox all let you set and protect your own search engine. Import your bookmarks only after the old browser is clean.
Will resetting the browser remove Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search?
A reset disables extensions, restores the default search engine, start page and new tab, and clears temporary data and cookies. It keeps bookmarks, history and saved passwords. For many hijackers that is enough.
It does not remove a program installed in Windows, policies in the registry, changes to the hosts file or DNS, or edited shortcuts, so Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search can come back after a reset if one of those remains. Do the reset after removing the program and policies, not instead of it.
The results look like Google or Bing. Is that real?
Partly. Many hijacker search pages pass your query to a real search engine and show its results, so the list looks familiar. What changes is the frame around it:
- extra sponsored links at the top
- the hijacker's own tracking
- sometimes a design that copies a known search engine
You can tell by the address bar. If it shows anzsearch.com or another unfamiliar domain instead of the search engine you know, the results come through a middleman. Remove Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search and search directly.
Will Fortect remove Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Anzsearch.com.au, ANZ Search, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Avast: What is a Browser Hijacker? (read October 6, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Targeted advertising (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 6, 2026)