Remove Chromesearch1.info virus (Easy Removal Guide) - Removal Instructions
How dangerous is Chromesearch1.info search engine?
If you’ve been looking for information about Chromesearch1.info virus, you probably already realized that it is a potentially unwanted program[1] (PUP) that hijacks browser’s settings and keeps them under control until the user removes it from the system. However, does having this PUP on the system expose your PC to Internet hazards[2]? The answer is yes. Now, we are going to discuss the activity of this hijacker and explain why you’re better off without this program.
This picture reveals the Chromesearch1.info search engine and ads in search results provided by it.
Chromesearch1.info browser hijacker inserts an extension[3] into each of victim’s web browsers, and this extension modifies some settings in them. First of all, it sets Chromesearch1.info to be the default start page, then assigns this value to new tab page, and finally sets this page to be the default search engine provider. As a result, the browser loads that website each time the user launches a new window or tab in a browser. The discussed website provides web search service, and at first sight, it seems that this search engine is very similar to Google. It even says “Google Custom Search” on the search box. Seeing such line can trick many users into using it, however, let us explain what it actually means. This search engine provides customized Google search results, which means that these results can be filled with additional third-party links and ads[4], and if you’re looking for a search tool that would provide you with accurate responses to your search queries, better sidestep this search tool and look for another one.
Questions about Chromesearch1.info virus
Ads in search results can unexpectedly route you to dangerous websites[5], and that is why Chromesearch1.info developers advise the user to read Privacy Policy documents on every external website you might access via this search engine. “We, therefore, have no responsibility or liability for the content and activities of these linked sites,” the developers say. If you value your privacy and you wish to use a malware-free computer, better stop using the suspicious search engine ASAP and to fix the PC, remove Chromesearch1.info redirect virus using professional spyware removal tool like Reimage Reimage Cleaner . You might also be interested in manual Chromesearch1.info removal option, which we described below the article.
How to keep PUPs at bay?
Dealing with potentially unwanted programs is hard, so it’s for the best to keep them away from your PC system. Ideally, try to avoid installing such programs at all. Fun fact is, computer users install such browser hijackers by themselves because they fail to find hidden agreements to install them when installing other free programs or shareware. These agreements usually are provided in fine print below Default or Standard installation options, which users consider to be the most reliable ones. No matter how wrong this is, it is the main reason why computer users end up installing spyware and, in some cases, malware on their computers. Now, the easiest way to prevent this from happening is to adjust software installation settings by choosing Custom/Advanced settings and removing optional components respectively. Once you get access to the list of programs bundled with your chosen software, just deselect components you don’t need and proceed with the installation.
Best practices to remove Chromesearch1.info hijacker from the system
To keep your PC free of junk, we recommend you to remove Chromesearch1.info virus and programs that were installed at the same time with it. You can do this by sorting the list of currently installed programs by date, and uninstalling programs that were installed on the same day as the defined browser hijacker. However, sometimes browser hijackers do not appear in the list of currently installed programs, so in such case we suggest you to complete a system scan with anti-malware software like Reimage Reimage Cleaner and carry out automatic Chromesearch1.info removal procedure.
You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner . SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove Chromesearch1.info virus, follow these steps:
Uninstall Chromesearch1.info from Windows systems
Use this tutorial to clean optional programs from the system and also fix browser shortcuts that may had been altered by this browser hijacker.
-
Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
-
If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
- Uninstall Chromesearch1.info and related programs
Here, look for Chromesearch1.info or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove Chromesearch1.info from Windows shortcuts
Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties. -
Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus.
Repeat steps that are given above with all browsers' shortcuts, including Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Make sure you check all locations of these shortcuts, including Desktop, Start Menu and taskbar.
Remove Chromesearch1.info from Mac OS X system
-
If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
-
Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Chromesearch1.info or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Erase Chromesearch1.info from Internet Explorer (IE)
In IE, look for extensions that were installed without your knowledge. It is highly recommended to remove extension called Chromesearch1.
-
Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons. -
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Chromesearch1.info and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
-
Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
-
Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
-
When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Chromesearch1.info removal.
Delete Chromesearch1.info virus from Microsoft Edge
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
-
Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
-
Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
-
Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
-
Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
-
When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
-
Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
-
Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, Chromesearch1.info should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
Eliminate Chromesearch1.info from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
-
Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select Chromesearch1.info and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
-
Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General. - Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
-
Click OK to save these changes.
-
Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. -
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Chromesearch1.info removal.
Get rid of Chromesearch1.info from Google Chrome
Open Chrome settings and navigate to Extensions tab. Remove Chromesearch1 and associated extensions from the list of currently installed extensions.
-
Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select Chromesearch1.info and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
-
Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
Click on menu icon and choose Settings. -
Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages.
- Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
-
Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
-
When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
-
Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
-
Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Chromesearch1.info removal.
Uninstall Chromesearch1.info from Safari
- Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. -
Here, select Extensions and look for Chromesearch1.info or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
-
Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General. -
Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by Chromesearch1.info, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the "http://" before typing in the address of the page.
-
Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Chromesearch1.info removal process.
About the author
References
- ^ PUPs - Potentially Unwanted Programs - Basics. McAfee Communities. A Community of Solutions and Experts.
- ^ Hackers, virus writers and internet criminals. BullGuard. Internet Security & Web Site Security Articles.
- ^ Eric Limer. Reminder: Your Browser Extensions Have Absurd Access To Everything You Do Online. Popular Mechanics. How Your World Works.
- ^ Alice Woods. Why you should avoid Delta Search and other fake search engines. 2-Spyware. Fighting Against Spyware and Malware.
- ^ Wendy Boswell. How do I avoid dangerous websites?. Lifewire. Tech Information Website.
Your opinion regarding Chromesearch1.info virus
You must be logged in to post a comment.
April 6th, 2017 at 7:55 am
Probably the most stubborn computer virus Ive ever dealt with!
April 6th, 2017 at 7:56 am
Thanks for providing such an useful tutorial – I deleted Chromesearch1.info virus and it never came back 🙂
April 6th, 2017 at 7:56 am
great instructions, thanks
April 6th, 2017 at 7:56 am
I am so disappointed with Chromesearch1.info. As a search tool, its useless.