Checkspeedsearch.com is a fake search tool that might hijack popular web browsers
Checkspeedsearch.com is a search engine created by Hopebest Inc Media. The company is known for creating a similar search tool Isearchnow.com. Both programs are known as browser hijackers that might appear on your homepage out of nowhere and diminish browsing experience.
The search engine looks like an ordinary search tool. It has a fresh, simple design and offers a bonus feature – to test Internet’s speed. The engine itself redirects searches to Yahoo. Thus, there should not be any problems with alteration of the search results. However, it’s still not recommended to use it.
First of all, Checkspeedsearch.com virus is promoted in software bundles and might hijack Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and other web browsers without asking direct permission. Thus, after quick freeware installation, you might find this domain set as your default search engine.
In order to protect its presence, the hijacker might make several modifications in Windows system. It might modify registry and shortcuts to run with system startup, become default search provider and prevent users from simple Checkspeedsearch.com removal. However, if you have noticed this domain on your browser, you should scan your device with FortectIntego and wipe out this cyber threat.
Secondly, the program is widely used for advertising. This application might display various commercial offers. The problem is that ads and links might redirect to suspicious websites. There you might be offered to scan the computer with bogus security software, participate in questionable surveys[1] or call fake tech-support line.
What is more, authors of Trojans, ransomware and other malware might take advantage of browser hijacker’s advertising possibilities to spread malicious programs. Keep in mind that data tracking helps to create personalized ads that catch your attention. However, it might be a dangerous trap.[2]
The Privacy Policy of Checkspeedsearch.com reveals that this tool collects personal and anonymous information in order to provide better services. The program might collect browsing-related data, information provided via social networks, IP address, mobile network information, email data, etc.
However, apart from publishers’ cookies and other tracking technologies, this tool might allow third parties to monitor your online activities. These partners might be advertising networks and companies that provide various ads and analyzes your clicks. Thus, if you do not want to be spied on, you should remove Checkspeedsearch.com.
Hijacked web browser is a result of incorrect software installation
This search engine is promoted in freeware and shareware packages. Thus, then installing a new program, you might be offered to replace your search provider with this one. However, in order to accept or reject this offer, you need to choose “Advanced” or “Custom” settings.
Following this setup, you might find the list of pre-selected programs or agreements to set a new homepage or search engine. Thus, you need to unmark such statements to stop PUPs from entering the system.
Keep in mind that “Quick” or “Recommended” setups do not include this feature. Therefore, additional components attached to the primary program are usually installed silently.
The application is most likely to target English-speaking computer users. Thus, American, Australian and British[3] computer users should be especially vigilant.
Instructions for Checkspeedsearch.com virus elimination
At the end of the article, you can find manual Checkspeedsearch.com removal instructions. By following them, you have to locate hijacker and its components installed on the system and web browsers. It goes without saying that you need to uninstall all these entries.
However, this cyber threat might install various helper objects, files and additional components that might be impossible to detect. For this reason, we suggest using anti-malware software that would help to remove Checkspeedsearch.com together with its hidden components.
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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