Is Bettersearch.tk a legitimate search engine?
Bettersearch.tk virus is a questionable application created by Ilyesoft Studio which acts like an alternative search engine, and supposedly enhances the user’s browsing experience. This website attempts to look like a trustworthy search tool and trick people into using it as their default search engine. In fact, this application is listed as a potentially unwanted program and is classified as a browser hijacker. Therefore, it can not be considered a legitimate application. Viruses like Bettersearch.tk hijack the browsers and alter their settings without the users’ permission. This may include assigning your default search engine and homepage to http://www.bettersearch.tk/, and also loading it in the new URL tab once the browser is opened. The users are usually first redirected to the hijacker websites before they can access other search engines or sites. These changes are rather easy to spot. So, if you notice them, you should avoid using the infected browser until the virus is completely removed.
Bettersearch.tk redirect issue will not be the only problem you will have to deal with if you keep using this suspicious website for your search. You may also notice that the search results generated by this search engine do not correspond to your search queries and offer numerous ads and links to sponsored sites instead of the relevant information. In fact, Bettersearch.tk collaborates with third-party websites and promotes them in its search results. It is also not uncommon for the browser hijackers to gather information about the users’ browsing habits, including search queries, visited pages, and other data. In this way, the virus can generate more user-targeted ads and increase the possibility of being clicked. The gathered information can not only be used for generating ads but may also be shared with the before mentioned affiliate third-parties, which may misuse your data for some potentially malicious purposes. Therefore, to avoid being redirected to some untrusted sites or not being able to find the desired information, you should not have this application installed on your computer. You can remove Bettersearch.tk from your system using some reputable anti-malware software like FortectIntego.

How can this virus hijack my computer?
Bettersearch.tk search can be accessed online; nevertheless, our experts have not found it promoted as an individual application. Usually, it is distributed via software packages that are promoted on various third-party download websites, including download.com, soft32.com, cnet.com, softonic.com, and so on. Such distribution method is known as ‘bundling’ and is widely used these days since it allows monetizing free programs and promoting unpopular applications. In order to prevent installing unwanted tools unconsciously, you have to stop thinking that freeware’s installation is an insignificant process. Freeware’s installation is an important period in which you may decompose software bundle and choose to install only the freeware that you need. In order to get the ability for doing so, you have to opt for Advanced or Custom installation option, check the entire installation process step-by-step and uncheck ticks saying that you agree to install add-ons, plug-ins, toolbars, or extensions. Otherwise, you may inadvertently agree to set Bettersearch.tk as a default start page/search provider and experience various inconveniences during browsing.
How to remove Bettersearch.tk virus?
Since this virus is merely designed to generate revenue for its creators and to increase traffic to its affiliate sites, it is not recommended to keep it installed on your computer. You can remove Bettersearch.tk virus from your computer by choosing either manual or automatic removal method. Since the manual removal may seem rather difficult for the less experienced users, in this case, we recommend the automatic removal method. All you have to do is simply run a scan of your system using some trustworthy anti-malware software which will take care of the virus and protect you from similar threats in the future. However, if you feel your computer skills good enough for the manual Bettersearch.tk removal, you can check our step-by-step guide below and remove the virus yourself.
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.

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.

Did this guide help?
4 comments
Seán
Im using Bettersearch.tk and Im fine with it
Meave9000
SO FAR. You betted get your system checked of something! It is totally a virus!!
cyborgus
Yeah, man, SpyHunter says its a virus, you should get that checked out
Elias77
Nice! Bye bettersearch.tk ! Thank you for the instructions, LOVE your site!