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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Nov 2020

How to remove Pro Search

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Olivia Morelli · Ransomware analyst

Pro Search is the search hijacker that promotes other sites like Tailsearch.com

Pro Search

Pro Search – the browser hijacker that manipulates search settings, so the online traffic can be controlled. This potentially unwanted program triggers various changes on the web browser to promote sponsored content, expose users to advertisements and other third-party material online. There are various preferences and settings that this threat can alter to keep the PUP more persistent. Even when users install the browser tool un purpose by falling for the promotional ads, the PUP should be deleted as soon as possible since this is useless and cannot improve the performance in any way.

You cannot call it a Pro Search virus, but once the toolbar or another application gets installed, you cannot access any needed content that is valuable for you. The PUP can get extremely intrusive the more time it gets to run on the machine. So make sure to clear the intruder off of the system once you notice any changes.

Name Pro Search
Type Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program
promotes Tailsearch.com
IP address 104.27.146.124
Distribution Software bundle packages, deceptive ads, fake update prompts[1]
Symptoms Unknown extension or application is installed on the system; homepage and new tab address are set to the related search provider; Pro Search search engine is appended to the homepage; search results get filled with sponsored links and commercial content, banners
Risks Installation of other potentially unwanted programs, privacy risks due to data tracking and malvertising[2] techniques
Removal You can remove Pro Search potentially unwanted program by following the manual guide below or by scanning the computer with powerful anti-malware tools that can find and terminate the programs with all the associated files automatically
Optional steps PUPs trigger significant damage to system files and PC functions. To revert these changes and recover the OS, perform a full system scan with FortectIntego or a similar PC repair software

Pro Search is the search engine app that gets installed on the browser behind the user's back because PUPs are designed to interfere with settings without the knowledge of the person. This tactic allows PUPs to control what sites appear on the screen and what sponsored content appears on the browser.

In most cases, such intruders like Pro Search rely on redirecting techniques and commercial content traffic, so the revenue can be generated for third-party advertisers and other PUP creators. This is the main goal of these browser-based threats. Making a profit, creating views, page visits is the only aim.

You should avoid clicking on anything that is related to Pro Search hijack, so you can keep the machine safe from all the PUPs and other intrusive programs. There is nothing valuable about the cyber threat and the content that you get exposed to. Rely on proper tools in the anti-malware category like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, so these infections get cleared off automatically and your machine works as it is supposed to.

Pro Search hijack

Pro Search is nothing but a cyber intruder that aims to get more views and page visits on sites that sponsor the PUP distribution and delivery, so you can uninstall the program, the toolbar, extensions, other related applications. However, the PUP that triggers and controls these activities runs in the background and cannot be found that easily.

You should run the proper procedure if you want to remove Pro Search from the PC. Launch anti-malware tool or security programs, as experts[3] always suggest to do. Then you can see the detection results and choose programs that can be eliminated from the system. 

Pro Search removal process is not ending there because you also need to clear the web browser from any unwanted or potentially dangerous content. You can reset those applications fully to default with the help of a guide below. You need to pay attention to the fact that all the online content that you get exposed to can also trigger additional installs of intruders, so running a full system scan with the AV tool is beneficial either way. Even when you manage to eliminate the PUP from the system by uninstalling the browser extension or application. Rely on tools like FortectIntego too, so system functions get fully recovered.

Pro Search PUP

Control the security of your device by paying attention

You can and should choose proper sources for the programs you download from the internet. There are various issues that such hijackers and adware programs create besides being intrusive and annoying because running silently in the background allows PUPs to trigger changes and even install additional browser-based threats.

You can avoid these installations in the first place and keep the machine secure entirely. It is done by going for Advanced or Custom options during any installation of the program or tool. This is how you can see the list of all included apps and choose which ones to install on the PC. Do so every time you download anything from the web.

Pro Search hijack termination requires attention to details

You should remove Pro Search from the system as soon as you notice redirects and pop-ups or different content delivery instead of the normal search queries. You can fight the intruder automatically with proper tools that run a check on the machine and indicate various intruders that affect the performance of your computer.

This way, you not only find the virus that bothers you. By running a proper Pro Search removal with anti-malware tools, you also improve the performance significantly once all the applications and possibly malicious threats get indicated and deleted properly. 

Do not forget about Pro Search virus damage and additional changes that the intruder makes to keep the persistence up. You should rely on tools that can provide optimization for the system and help with the damaged system files and functions.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

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