Omni-search.net – a browser hijacker that aims at Chrome and Firefox users

Omni-search.net is a domain that leads to BlaSearch. It’s a suspicious search engine that redirects searches to Yahoo Search. However, it might appear on the browser suddenly, redirect to questionable websites, display ads and collect information about the user.
However, the main problem with Omni-search.net virus is complicated removal. Nevertheless, it’s only a potentially unwanted program (PUP); it can alter browser’s settings and make several modifications to the system that prevents users from getting rid of it easily.
The hijacker aims at Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox web browsers and installs BlaSearch browser extension. Since then the virus starts its annoying activities. It might start redirecting to gaming,[1] gambling or other promotional websites, as well as displaying aggressive ads.
The Omni-search.net redirect issue not only prevents from normal browsing but might put you at risk. The hijacker can easily redirect you to a potentially dangerous website where you can be tricked into installing bogus software or revealing personal information. Therefore, it’s important to stop such activities by terminating hijacker from the system.
The diminished browsing experience is not the only problem. The hijacker might also spy on you. According to the Privacy Policy, Omni-search.net does not collect personal information. However, if you register for their services and provide your full name, phone number and other personally identifiable information about yourself, they will store it in their database.
However, Omni-search.net users should be aware that the hijacker automatically collects information[2] on how you use this extension, what websites you visit, and other browsing-related data. It is declared that company uses for improving their services, but they might also share it with third-parties or promote affiliate’s products.
Therefore, security experts suggest Omni-search.net removal for these reasons:
- ability to hijack the browser;
- stealthy infiltration method;
- data tracking and sharing features;
- suspicious redirect tendencies.
You can remove Omni-search.net manually and automatically. Manual elimination guidelines are presented at the end of the article. However, we understand that your life might be full of problems and difficult situations. Hijacker’s removal should not be one of them. Thus, install FortectIntego or another anti-malware and dedicate this task for it.

The hijacker travels with the help of freeware
The hijacker spreads in the US, the UK[3] and other European countries with the help of bundling. This software marketing technique allows attaching PUP to a software package. Therefore, when a user downloads a new program and installs it under Quick/Recommended settings, it might experience Omni-search.net hijack.
The problem with these settings is that they do not properly inform the user about additional downloads and do not ask whether a user wants to download them or not. As a result, the whole software package is installed on the system.
In order to stop infiltration of unknown programs or browser extensions, you have to choose Advanced/Standard settings and carefully follow each of the steps. Unmark pre-selected optional downloads and then you can be sure that you haven’t installed anything irrelevant.
It’s time to get rid of the Omni-search.net virus from your browser
According to the EULA, you should be able to remove Omni-search.net by following these simple steps:
- Google Chrome: Right-click on the extension icon on the menu bar and choose “Remove from Chrome” option.
- Mozilla Firefox: Go to Menu -> Add-ons -> Extensions -> In the list of extensions you should find unwanted entry and click “Remove” next to it.
However, some users claim that the extension tends to comes back. It might happen due to the installed browser helper objects, applications or modified settings. Therefore, you should remove these entries as well. If you want to do it manually, you should follow the instructions below.
We recommend speeding up Omni-search.net removal. You can get rid of the hijacker quickly using updated anti-malware/anti-spyware by running a full system scan.
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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