Chromesearch.today – fake search engine that operates as a browser hijacker

Chromesearch.today is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that pretends to be a legit search tool. However, it is a browser hijacker that spreads in software bundles, and after infiltration, it changes browser’s settings. Thus, you should not get tricked that ChromeSearch has something in common with the official Google Chrome.
ChromeSearch virus has several versions, such as Chromesearch.online, Chromesearch.info or Chromesearch.net. Additionally, the hijacker is closely related to Cleanserp – another browser hijacker that also aims at Google Chrome users. Both of them use the same homepage design, the same privacy policy, and terms of use.
The only difference between these two hijackers is that Cleanserp provides a guide to uninstall it. Meanwhile, users report numerous problems with Chromesearch.today removal.[1] According to numerous Chromesearch.today Reddit posts and complaints on Google Chrome forums, some security tools fail to detect and eliminate it.
However, Chromesearch.today delete problems might also occur when users try to get rid of it manually. The hijacker typically blocks access to “Manage search engines” settings or prevents from uninstalling suspicious Chrome extensions.
Removal problems occur because Chromesearch.today virus might strengthen its presence by modifying Registry and altering specific browser’s settings. Following these changes, the hijacker might also cause these issues:
- altered browser’s homepage, search engine or/and new tab URL;
- elimination troubles;[2]
- occasional pop-ups;
- redirections to sponsored domains;
- insecure connection.[3]
All these changes and issues might be a surprise because Chromesearch.today hijack is often silent and unnoticed. The PUP usually arrives at the system in software bundle[4] and immediately causes changes without asking user’s permission.
If you accidentally let it take over your web browser, you should proceed with ChromeSearch removal. This search tool not only makes browsing the web complicated but might put your privacy at risk due to the shady data tracking activities.
As we have already mentioned, many users fail to remove Chromesearch.today with security software. However, we still recommend checking the system with FortectIntego or another anti-malware tool as soon as you find unknown search provider set as your default one.
However, if Chromesearch.today remove from Chrome procedure with security software fails, you will need to eliminate the hijacker manually. For that, you will need to install Chrome policy removal tool which will let to access suspicious browser extensions that might be keeping your browser in hostage.
Chromesearch.today uninstall guide is given at the end of the article. Please, follow it carefully in order to succeed. Keep in mind that if you leave some of the hijacker-related entries, your browser might be re-hijacked.

Nasty browser hijacker might be spread in software bundles
If you cannot recall how this hijacker was set as a default search engine, you were likely to have installed it along with another program, free file converter or media player, perhaps. In order to cease the hijack possibility, choose “Custom” installation settings. They will disclose optional apps, and you will be able to deselect them.
Security experts from Croatia[5] remind that you should be wary of it being promoted as a link in sponsored websites. If you get redirected to this PUP once, exit it. You might also scan the browser just in case.
Instructions for Chromesearch.today removal
To fix your web browser and start using it as you are used to, you need to uninstall this hijacker with every component that could be related to it. Then, you need to remove ChromeSearch.today from the affected web browsers. In other words, you need to reset your web browsers that are hijacked by it. If you are not good at this procedure, note that our team has developed special instructions that are written below this section.
However, browser hijacker is known for being stubborn and hard to get rid of. Thus, you may need to put more effort. You should also check Registry Editor as Chromesearch.today virus leaves its registry keys on the system which have to be removed if you need to eradicate the infection fully. For that, follow these steps once you reboot the computer in Safe Mode:
- Press Windows key+R and type regedit.
- Then, enter HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Chrome/Main.
- Find the entry Startpage right click on it and choose Delete.
Additional Chromesearch.today virus removal steps
Many users on Google forums report about Chromesearch.today disable problems. Indeed, the hijacker might prevent from managing Chrome extensions in order to prevent users from uninstalling PUP. Additionally, it might lock “Manage search option” in chrome://settings/searchEngines?search=SEA.
In this case, you have to download and run Chrome policy remover (download link). Chrome might prevent you from downloading this file and display an error saying “This type of file can harm your computer.” However, click “Keep” button to download it. Keep in mind that it's not a Chromesearch.today removal tool, so you have to delete hijacker-related entries manually.
Once the download is finished, right-click Chrome policy remover and choose Run as Administrator option. Then you should be able to remove ChromeSearch from default search engines and delete unknown Chrome extensions.
After Chromesearch.today fix, it’s also recommended to reset the browser to make sure that all suspicious components, invisible entries or tracking cookies were eliminated entirely. This step prevents from re-hijack.
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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