QuickSearch virus is a potentially unwanted program that hijacks all the installed browsers by changing their settings

QuickSearch is a browser hijacker[1] that users might install unintentionally during the installation of freeware or after being tricked by an attractive ad online. Once inside the system, the potentially unwanted program attaches an extension to Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer and sets the homepage, new tab address, and the search engine to hxxp://search.searchquicks.com.
After the QuickSearch hijack, users will experience the symptoms straight away, including sponsored links at the top of search results (searchers are redirected to Yahoo, although the results are not organic),[2] increased amount of advertisements on all visited websites – they are usually marked as “QuickSearch ads” or “Sponsored ads” – and also slowdown of the browser. The underlying effects of the PUP are that it tracks various information about the affected users and uses it for marketing purposes.
| Name | QuickSearch |
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| Homepage assigned to | hxxp://search.searchquicks.com |
| Infiltration | Users install browser hijackers or other PUPs via software bundles downloaded from third-party sites |
| Symptoms | Changes to web browser settings, including homepage, new tab address, and the search engine; sponsored links at the top of the search results; the increased amount of ads on most visited websites, etc. |
| Risks | Users may install other potentially unwanted programs, disclose personal information to unknown parties, waste money on useless programs/services, etc. |
| Termination | You can opt to delete the browser hijacker by using security software or by checking our manual removal guide below |
| Optimization & recovery | Potentially unwanted programs might leave unwanted changes on the infected machine. For that reason, the OS might start showing errors or crashing. To avoid that, we recommend scanning the device with FortectIntego. Additionally, browser reset is also highly advised |
Another suspicious trait of QuickSearch is that it does not provide its Privacy Policy (or Terms of Service) on the official website. While the links are present, once clicked, the browser redirects to an error page which reads:
An error occurred while processing your request.
However, this is not a browser or connection error – these were placed deliberately in order to avoid any legal requirements that all the applications should have according to safety regulations. In other words, QuickSearch does not indicate what the rules of using their products are, neither does it provide any information about personal data retention.
It might be possible that QuickSearch data gathering is not safely stored appropriately (i.e., not encrypted),[3] or that it gathers much more than it should. For example, harvesting such data as email, name, and credit card details without prior approval from the user is illegal – that is what malware does. QuickSearch virus is a term that is appropriate for an app that does not provide legal documents and is gathering information in the background.
Because QuickSearch is a browser hijacker, it is likely gathering the following browsing-related information:
- Technical details about the device
- OS and browser version
- IP and ISP
- Browser cookie data
- Links clicked
- Bookmarks added
- Search queries, etc.
Such data is often collected for marketing purposes – in order to ensure targeted advertising works. However, there is no way to guarantee that the links presented to end-users are safe. For example, users might end up on phishing, tech support scam, or similar sites that seek to obtain users' personal information or make them download unsafe programs.

Unfortunately, in the majority of cases, QuickSearch ads lead users to predetermined third-party websites that are not even related to the ad content. In other words, these ads are meant to drive traffic to particular websites and make them more popular. Whenever you see an ad, ignore it and proceed with QuickSearch removal.
The quickest way to remove QuickSearch is by scanning your machine with anti-malware software, which includes the capability of detecting potentially unwanted programs. Alternatively, you can rely on our manual removal instructions below. For the best results, experts[4] also recommend scanning the machine with FortectIntego and resetting all the installed browsers.
Browser hijacker distribution methods
Browser hijackers and adware spread together with other free programs. If you plan to install a program from the Internet, make sure you find a reliable web source to download the software from. Otherwise, you risk installing a software package, disguised as an individual program. However, even if you end up with such a software pack, you can avoid installing additional unwanted components quite easily. For that, follow these steps:
- After you launch the software installer, do not rush. You should not go through the installation process by continuously clicking the “Next” button;
- Read all the information that the installer provides, including Privacy Policy and Terms of Use documents;
- The most important thing to do is to adjust the installer’s settings appropriately. Make sure you opt for a Custom or Advanced option. These options provide an additional window where you will be able to see all software’s components and opt out the ones you do not wish to install;
- Watch out for deceptive deals, misplaced buttons, fine print text, and other tricks commonly used by freeware and shareware developers.

Get rid of QuickSearch browser hijacker
Luckily, QuickSearch removal should not be a problem – we provide the uninstall instructions below, make sure you follow them carefully. However, the troubles may start if the computer is infected with multiple, potentially unwanted programs or malware. Quite often, those who have one PUP installed are unaware that there are several other unwanted apps residing on their machines.
Therefore, you should remove QuickSearch along with all the other components that might have been installed before. If you are unsure how to get rid of everything or manual removal guide is too complicated for you, you should employ anti-malware software that can recognize the QuickSearch virus, along with all the other PUPs/malware.
Once you uninstall the PUP, you should also reset all the installed browsers, as changed web browser settings might still try to push QuickSearch ads and redirect to affiliated websites.
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.

Did this guide help?
5 comments
Manthas
QuickSearch deals never work. do not even consider trying to click on them! Theyre USELESS
nick
helpful guide, thanks, removed it
JenniferRei
QuickSearch ads cheat!!!! They open random websites instead of leading me to the websites that actually provide the discounted items!!! fraudulent!
rapid.speed
This adds new homepage as well... the search is corrupted, I dont wanna use it anymore. Does this guide help to get rid of the search engine as well?
Diamond
yes it does, I tried it :) I have removed the search engine as well, you just need to reset your web browsers