Chromesearch.online: what it is and how to remove it

Chromesearch.online is a untrustworthy search engine that belongs to a group of browser hijackers and potentially unwanted program (PUP). Currently, there's more than one version of the Chrome Search Online virus circulating on the Internet.

Facts checked October 7, 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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Chromesearch.online: chromesearch online virus
Chromesearch.online as our 2018 report showed it.

Chromesearch.online: summary

Detection namesNo Microsoft detection name is known
DistributionNot recorded in the old report
DamageNot recorded in the old report
NameChromesearch.online
TypeFake search engine
SymptomsA changed search engine
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
Evidence4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited
Search pagechromesearch.online
BrowsersChrome, Edge and Firefox
First seen5 February 2018
Facts checked7 October 2026

Is Chromesearch.online dangerous? What it collects

From our report of Feb 2018 · not reviewed since

Chromesearch.online - untrustworthy search engine that alters browser's settings without user's authorization

Chromesearch.online is a untrustworthy search engine that belongs to a group of browser hijackers and potentially unwanted program (PUP).

Currently, there's more than one version of the Chrome Search Online virus circulating on the Internet. Chromesearch.info, Chromesearch.net, ChromeSearch.club, Chromesearch.win, Chromesearch.today are just a few examples of them.

It is capable of infecting PCs via various freeware and altering web browser's settings without user's consent. Once this hijacker is installed, it sets https://chromesearch.online/search/?q= as a default start page, search engine, and a new tab window. Such unauthorized behavior can lead to serious issues, including virus infection or data leakage, which is why experts recommend people to remove Chromesearch.online virus without delay.

Several factors have determined the classification of Chrome Search Online. We have already clarified one of them - the ability to alter Chrome's settings. Before doing so, the hijacker has to be executed on the target system. The infiltration technique is being implemented via freeware, which means that Chromesearch.online hijacker can come unnoticed along with a program you opt for installing.

In addition to that, it is responsible for the revelation of predetermined search results. In general, browser hijackers are employed by third-parties that seek to generate revenue to their sites. The problem is it's not clear what parties this search engine collaborates with, which is why Chromesearch. Online redirects can point your way to untrustworthy or infected web domains.

Browsing data compilation is yet another factor that should lead to Chromesearch.online removal. Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), including this one, employ tracking cookies to monitor users' web browsing activities. However, that's not the worst part. This browser hijacker can also collect your name, email address, approx. Geolocation, and similar information that is considered as personal by most of the Internet users.

The purpose of Chrome Search Online virus is to generate income via redirects. However, we would strongly recommend you to remove Chromesearch.online due to intrusive ads showing up while browsing. The search results that it returns may promote suspicious websites, which contain an excessive amount of pop-up and banner ads. The latter may also be linked to fishy websites, so needless to say that you should bypass them.

This browser hijacker has already tricked many people by its trustworthy design and supposed privacy security. Initially, it resembles Google Chrome and returns Google-based search results. However, the search results it returns may be altered, so using it is at your own risk.

At best, if random Windows shortcuts redirect to https://Chromesearch.online, it's a warning sign that something is not right. The best solution would be to check the system with anti-malware and remove Chromesearch.online virus along with other PUPs.

Chromesearch.online: chromesearch online virus
Chromesearch.online in our 2018 report.
Chromesearch.online: chromesearch online virus removal
Chromesearch.online in our 2018 report.

From our report of Feb 2018 · not reviewed since

Possible infiltration techniques

Many PUPs have official websites.

However, statistically, people rarely install them manually. Such official websites are developed with an intention to convince people that the tool is legitimate and trustworthy.

Usually, hijackers and spread bundled with freeware. Such programs are typically hidden under Quick or Basic installation options and marked as default components To prevent detection and immediate rejection. That's why it's advisable to follow freeware installation carefully.

In some rare cases, people can be tricked to install PUPs after being redirected to suspicious software download or promotion websites. This may happen when visiting illegal or untrustworthy websites or clicking on fishy ads.

Check your browser and PC

  • Address: chromesearch.online

How to remove Chromesearch.online

How to stop Chromesearch.online from opening

The search page is only the end point.

These steps remove what sends the browser there, then put the search engine back.

  1. Step 1: Put the search engine back and delete chromesearch.online

    Searches that pass through chromesearch.online mean 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 chromesearch.online.

    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 Settings with the Search engine and On startup sections
    Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine

  2. Step 2: Remove extensions you did not add

    Chromesearch.online often works through an extension, so go through the extension list of each browser:

    • chrome://extensions
    • edge://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 menu with Extensions and Manage extensions highlighted
    Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension

  3. 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 Chromesearch.online. 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

  4. 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 Settings page with the Reset settings section open
    Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine

  5. 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 Security Scan options with Microsoft Defender Antivirus offline scan selected
    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

Manual Chrome Search Online removal requires launching Control Panel and disabling all suspicious/unknown entries on it:

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
Remove from Google Chrome

Google Chrome is targeted by malware most frequently, statistics shows. Chromesearch.online virus is not an exception. To reset it, follow these simple steps:

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
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
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
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

Chromesearch.online hijacks any web browser that is currently set by default. In case Internet Explorer has been affected by this malware, here's what you have to do:

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

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 Feb 2018 · not reviewed since

Get rid of Chromesearch.online with one click

If you did not agree to change the search engine, homepage, and other web browser's settings, you could easily reset everything, but before that, you'll have to remove Chromesearch.online hijacker.

Chromesearch.online removal can be implemented both manually and automatically. It's natural that the latter removal method is more trustworthy because professional anti-malware tools like , or will ensure the removal of all PUPs and their constituents.

If, however, you prefer manual removal, you can follow the instructions provided below. Before you switch to the manual removal instructions, we would like to point out to the fact that it's not enough to remove the main executable of the hijacker to eliminate it. To remove Chromesearch.online once and for all, you'll have to reset web browser's settings as well.

Questions about Chromesearch.online

Why does my search engine keep changing to chromesearch.online?

Because something keeps setting it. An extension can change the search engine every time the browser starts, and an ad-supported program in Windows can do it for every browser and re-add the extension after you remove it. Some hijackers also add a policy that locks the setting.

Changing the search engine back only works once the source is gone. Remove extensions you do not recognise, uninstall programs installed around the time chromesearch.online first appeared, and then set the search engine again. If it still returns, check the browser for the Managed by your organization message and follow the policy steps in this guide.

Is chromesearch.online a virus?

It is a browser hijacker, not a virus in the classic sense. chromesearch.online is a search page that an extension or program set as your default without a clear choice from you.

It does not destroy files or spread to other PCs, but it takes control of your searches, collects them and shows ads, and the software behind it is often bundled with other unwanted programs.

Many antivirus products flag such software as potentially unwanted. Removing the extension or program and resetting the search engine is enough in most cases. A full scan afterwards checks for anything else that came with it.

Why do my searches go to chromesearch.online?

Because the browser's default search engine was changed to it. Chromesearch.online did that through an extension, a program or a browser policy, and as long as that source remains, the setting points to chromesearch.online.

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 chromesearch.online?

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 Chromesearch.online and use that search engine directly, by typing its address or choosing it in the browser settings.

Which browsers does Chromesearch.online 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 chromesearch.online 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 Chromesearch.online, delete the cookies and site data for chromesearch.online 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 Chromesearch.online 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.

I changed the search engine, but it switched back. Why?

The hijacker is still installed, and it rewrites the setting whenever the browser starts or the extension updates. Changing the setting is the last step, not the first. Find what controls it: the search settings page usually names the extension, and a greyed-out field means a policy.

Remove that source, restart the browser, then pick your search engine and delete the hijacker's entry from the list of saved search engines so it cannot be chosen by accident. Check again after a day, when extensions have had a chance to update.

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 chromesearch.online or another unfamiliar domain instead of the search engine you know, the results come through a middleman. Remove Chromesearch.online and search directly.

Will Fortect remove Chromesearch.online?

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 Chromesearch.online, 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

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