Clear Search browser hijacker (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge) - spam
Clear Search browser hijacker Removal Guide
What is Clear Search browser hijacker?
Clear Search browser hijacker is the program manipulating the browser settings
The browser-based application can expose to various content via those altered search results
Clear Search browser hijacker is a potentially unwanted program that tries to control what content users see and get exposed to. The browser-based programs alter various settings and preferences to particularly inject advertisements and other shady content on the pages people browse constantly. These settings include homepage, new tab, and default search engine changes.
By altering those settings, the Clear Search browser hijacker ensures that all searches go through the particular engine, and results can be injected with ads, filled with sponsored content, links and banners. These results are heavily controlled by the PUP[1] developers, so you may be exposed to advertising pages instead of accessing needed material online.
Clear Search browser hijacker is a rogue browser extension that can operate on the browser and cause redirects to other pages besides the particular clear-search.com search engine. The application can also install toolbars, other applications, and browser extensions. It triggers various performance and speed issues, so you should remove it ASAP.
Browser hijacker overview
Name | Clear Search browser hijacker |
---|---|
Type | Redirect, shady search engine |
Category | Potentially unwanted program |
Issues | Searches go through the clear-search.com engine, redirects show advertisements |
Ip address | 104.21.93.70 |
Distribution | Freeware installations, other PUPs, deceptive pages, pirating services |
Removal | AV tools can find and remove various applications like this PUP |
Repair | Run FortectIntego and fix issues related to the virus damage |
Clear Search browser hijacker or any browser-based program like adware or the shady tool can infiltrate the machine silently. Experts[2] note that silent infiltration methods and stealthily distribution techniques that these PUPs rely on. You might install the browser application yourself if you fall for the tricks and deceptive claims on ads.
Those promotional advertisements can offer various deals and fake the legitimacy, and usefulness of these browser tools and Clear Search browser extension. However, downloading anything from the internet can cause issues. These promotional ads and other free sites, and torrent pages[3] can spread PUPs.
The fake search engine is a program that should never be used because all the redirects and sponsored materials lead to dangerous content online. These programs are based on ad-supported services, and the particular Clear Search browser hijacker can trigger speed, privacy, and financial issues. Remove the useless application right away.
Eliminate the PUP from the machine
Clear Search browser hijacker can be removed with the help of SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes and other security or anti-malware programs. These applications can run the full system scan and check the machine for any possibly damaging programs or files and viruses. These apps fully clear the machine and help you avoid serious damage.
The removal process is important because these intruders can control various processes and trigger changes in the machine. Various files and settings altered by the Clear Search browser hijacker can trigger issues with the machine and the performance of other programs. It is important to restore the machine, so there are no vulnerable parts that can lead to PUP infiltrations again.
These applications like Clear Search browser hijacker sometimes can add various other applications, so these browsing experiences are affected, and the experience diminished. The removal of PUPs might not fix these issues that are controlled by the browser-based applications, so you might want to manually remove them from there.
The homepage and default search engine gets set to the clear-search.com
How do you deal with the altered preferences?
The potentially unwanted program can run in the background and cause issues with the machine because all the issues created are intrusive and annoying while surfing the internet. Clear Search browser hijacker can damage the machine with these changes, so you should reset the browser fully to restore all these settings.
The particular browser plugin is mainly affecting Google Chrome browsers because this is the most popular application. However, resetting the browser means all of the settings get changed back. Homepage and search engine alterations are the most annoying because this is how the PUP controls users' habits. Make sure to clear the settings.
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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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.
Manipulated internet browser settings like a default search engine, homepage, and new tab settings can trigger additional processes and issues with the performance. Clear Search browser hijacker needs to be removed and cleared off of the machine with all the related applications, browser-based programs, or malicious files.
The existence of these programs that expose you to particular advertising material can lead to issues with the machine and performance, but there is third-party involvement that triggers privacy issues. Data tracking issues can lead to identity theft and security problems with your computer. Avoid keeping the PUP on the system for a long time.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. 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.
Getting rid of Clear Search browser hijacker. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Clear Search browser hijacker registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting browser hijacker
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.