Remove Feed.combo-search.com (Removal Guide) - Free Guide
Combo Search – extension that should not be added to Google Chrome and other web browsers
Combo-search is a browser add-on which claims to help users switch their default search engine easily. Is this a great feature? You are the one to decide. However, according to 2-spyware security experts, you should not waste your time with Combo Search virus which has already been added to “browser hijacker”[1] and “adware”[2] categories.
The main reason why you need to stay away from Combo Search is that it changes your browser’s settings and starts causing redirects to various destinations. First of all, you can be redirected to hxxp://feed.combo-search.com/?st=ds&q=searchquery&publisher=combosearch. Then, you should see results provided by the search engine that you normally use.
Such potentially unwanted activity[3] can be noticed each time you start your browsing sessions. However, it should also warn you that ComboSearch tracks your searches and gathers information related to your search queries. Such information is typically used for market analysis or targeted advertising[4]. However, you cannot be sure that it won't be sold to unreliable parties seeking to misuse it for their own needs.
What kind of information is collected by ComboSearch is described in the Privacy Policy of the app:
The Non-Personal Information which is being collected may include technical information automatically transmitted by the user's device (for example, type of browser, the type of the user's device and technical information pertaining to the user's device, language preferences, time stamps, clicks and visited pages, search logs, the operating system, utilized internet service provider and other similar information, as well as IP Address.
Sincerely, we can hardly find helpful features provided by Combo Search virus. If you like a smooth browsing on the web, you should not even bother with this browser add-on because it won't enhance your browsing experience. If you have already installed this browser hijacker on your computer (accidentally or not), we advise you to use an anti-malware software, like Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego, to remove Combo Search without wasting your time.
Keep in mind that neither Combo Search, nor Feed.combo-search.com can improve your search experience. In fact, their aim is to earn the money for their developer by redirecting you to sponsored content or showing you different ads. Such activity may lead you to the infiltration of more serious malware, so we highly suggest you to refrain yourself from using this piece of software. Make sure you take care of Combo Search removal to forget about its unwanted activity.
Picture shows the official website of Combo Search extension, which, once installed, starts causing redirects through Feed.combo-search.com.
Browser hijackers are typically installed alongside other programs
Programs like these two viruses hijack[5] computer systems without being noticed because they are distributed in a bundle with popular free programs. When installing a popular free program downloaded from the Internet, the user should intently look into details provided by its installation wizard.
Usually, such assistants suggest installing the software using Default or Standard installation settings; meanwhile, these are the options you should never opt for. By selecting them, you will provide permission to install all “recommended” programs that are bundled with your chosen software.
To drop off all of the additions, we recommend choosing Custom or Advanced software installation settings. They will provide you with a list of extra programs and give you a chance to refuse to install them. Usually, all it takes is just to deselect unwanted programs presented to you.
Feed.combo-search.com removal can be a tricky business
If you are not an experienced PC user, you may find it hard to remove Combo Search virus from your computer. If you have never installed a similar browser hijacker, you might not even know where to look for its components. To assist you in uninstalling this program, we provided a comprehensive Feed.combo-search.com removal tutorial which you can find down below.
After completing all of the steps that are given below, do not forget to scan the entire computer using spyware or malware removal software. This way, you will be assured that your computer is virus-free and is filled only with components that have to be there.
You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego. 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 Feed.combo-search.com, follow these steps:
Uninstall Feed.combo-search.com from Windows systems
To remove Combo Search from Windows, you need to find suspicious programs related to this PUP. Sort the list of all programs, installed on your computer, according to date and uninstall the suspicious ones.
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Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
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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 Feed.combo-search.com and related programs
Here, look for Feed.combo-search.com or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove Feed.combo-search.com from Windows shortcuts
Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties.
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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.
Delete Feed.combo-search.com from Mac OS X system
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If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Feed.combo-search.com or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Erase Feed.combo-search.com from Internet Explorer (IE)
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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.
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You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Feed.combo-search.com and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
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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.
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Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
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When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Feed.combo-search.com removal.
Remove Feed.combo-search.com 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.
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Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
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Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
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Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
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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.
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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.
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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, Feed.combo-search.com should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
Get rid of Feed.combo-search.com from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
To fix Firefox, eliminate Feed.combo-search, ComboSearch and similar extensions from the browser.
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions.
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Here, select Feed.combo-search.com and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
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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.
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Click OK to save these changes.
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Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information.
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Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Feed.combo-search.com removal.
Eliminate Feed.combo-search.com from Google Chrome
To restore Chrome to its previous state, you need to delete Combo Search extension according to instructions we provided below.
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions.
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Here, select Feed.combo-search.com and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
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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.
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Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
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When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
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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.
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Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Feed.combo-search.com removal.
Uninstall Feed.combo-search.com 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.
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Here, select Extensions and look for Feed.combo-search.com or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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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 Feed.combo-search.com, 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.
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Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari....
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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 Feed.combo-search.com removal process.
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 various losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Software issues created by malware or direct data loss due to encryption can lead to problems with your device or permanent damage. When you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work.
It is crucial to create updates to your backups after any changes on the device, so you can get back to the point you were working on when malware changes anything or issues with the device causes data or performance corruption. Rely on such behavior and make file backup your daily or weekly habit.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware occurs out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the system restoring purpose.
About the author
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References
- ^ Gabriel E. Hall. How to eliminate browser hijackers. NoVirus. Malware Removal Guides.
- ^ What is Adware?. Kaspersky Lab. Cyber Security Resource Center for Threats & Tips.
- ^ URL redirection. Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia.
- ^ Darla Cameron. How targeted advertising works. Washington Post. Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis..
- ^ Robert Siciliano. What is Browser Hijacking?. McAfee Blogs. Securing Tomorrow. Today.
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