CryptoPriceSearch is a questionable browser toolbar developed by the notorious Mindspark Interactive Network

CryptoPriceSearch is a potentially unwanted application, and that is usually installed together with freeware or shareware without users' permission. The app, developed by a well-known PUP developer Mindspark, is designed to work as a toolbar but it also hijacks Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera, or another browser and sets startup page and the URL of the new tab, which is powered by MyWay search engine. Allegedly, the app is meant to help users to find information about cryptocurrency, but, in reality, they then have to deal with persistent ads on various sites that they visit, fake search results, and redirects to dubious domains. Unfortunately, CryptoPriceSearch authors created the hijacker just to make more money out of miserable user experience. Therefore, experts[1] advise getting rid of the program, whether it was installed intentionally or not.
| Name | CryptoPriceSearch |
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| Developer | Mindspark Interactive Network |
| Similar apps by this developer | TaxInfoHelp, Your Template Finder, Cursor Mania, TaxCenterNow, etc. |
| Distribution | Chrome web store, official website, ad promotions, bundled software |
| Symptoms | Changed wen browser settings, redirects to suspicious websites, altered search results, intrusive ads, etc. |
| Termination | Use security software or delete the app manually by using our guide below |
| Optimization | To ensure the best results, we recommend scanning your computer with FortectIntego |
Mindspark developed a variety of other similar applications, and some antivirus engines detect their products as PUP.Optional.Mindspark and CryptoPriceSearch is no exception. While not a major computer virus and users might not pay a great deal of attention to the changes made to their browsers, they should also keep in mind that the unwanted program might result in their internet browsing manipulation.
This is achieved with the help of MyWay search engine, as each time users enter a search query, they will end up seeing sponsored links at the top of the results. This behavior is not surprising and very typical to browser hijackers like CryptoPriceSearch.
CryptoPriceSearch acts like an intermediate between Mindspark and its affiliates – it means that by installing the PUP on their device, users generate money for both parties. However, users are advised to remove CryptoPriceSearch virus if users want to protect their online privacy, as the installed app tracks and records a variety of information. CryptoPriceSearch uses tracking cookies and web beacons[2] to capture data about users' web browsing habits, installed software, and technical data of their device.
While Behavioral Advertising is nothing new and is used by many parties, be aware that the results are not objective: CryptoPriceSearch promotes only sponsored content. Therefore, it might not be necessarily the best options for you, and you might end up installing bogus software or registering for useless services.
All in all, we recommend CryptoPriceSearch removal. You can do that by installing security software or checking our manual uninstallation guide below. After that, you should scan your device with FortectIntego, especially if you installed some other apps promoted via CryptoPriceSearch search engine.

Do not get lured by flashy promises – PUPs are nothing more than money grab for its developers
There are two different ways a potentially unwanted program could be installed on the computer: users either download and install it themselves from a variety of sites or when they download and install free applications casually.
If the former is the case, you should not trust shady search engines that alter your search results and web browser settings. Even if you are interested in cryptocurrency, you can just as easily find relevant information on search engines like Google.com. Bing.com or Yahoo.com, without sponsored links and intrusive advertisements.
In another case, if you found an altered homepage out of the blue, you should check what apps you recently installed on your computer. Be aware that all third-party websites bundle apps for pay-per-install profits,[3] so you need to be attentive during the installation process. Do not rush through steps, read through the instructions, and, most importantly, pick Advanced/Custom settings. This way, you will be able to view the real list of about-to-be-installed programs and remove them from the installation list.
Terminate CryptoPriceSearch from your computer
CryptoPriceSearch removal should not be too complicated, as, in most cases, termination of the initial program can be performed via the Apps & Features (Windows)/Applications (Mac) sections or by removing the browser extension. Nevertheless, if you installed additional apps while your Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or another browser was hijacked, you should rather scan your device with security software.
As soon as you remove CryptoPriceSearch virus, you should reset each of the installed browsers, as the changed settings remain. You can find all the instructions below.
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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