Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker: what it is and how to remove it
Search.accessiblelist.com is a fake search engine as it doesn't produce any search results itself but redirects all search queries to search.yahoo.com. In case this suspicious activity occurs on your browser, then it is likely that a browser hijacker such as SkilledSearchAdvise is installed on your computer.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker: summary
| Damage | Privacy issues, possible malware acquisition |
|---|---|
| name | Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker |
| Type | Browser hijacker, PUP, macOS virus |
| Possible infecting apps | SkilledSearchAdvise and others |
| IP address | 52.84.53.8 |
| Symptoms | Slower performance in both macOS and Windows computers, increased number of ads, pop-up ads, redirect to Search.accessiblelist.com, changed browser settings |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 8 more facts
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Search page | search.accessiblelist.com |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 8 January 2021 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Is Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker dangerous? What it collects
From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
Search.accessiblelist.com – a fake search site that's being promoted by browser hijackers
Search.accessiblelist.com is a fake search engine as it doesn't produce any search results itself but redirects all search queries to search.yahoo.com.
In case this suspicious activity occurs on your browser, then it is likely that a browser hijacker such as SkilledSearchAdvise is installed on your computer.
While the potentially unwanted application might be installed on the system, it is also possible that the browser hijacking activities start due to a browser extension. Either way, it adds the Managed by your company feature to browsers and doesn't let users change any browser settings by claiming that their company controls it.
Furthermore, to promote Search.accessiblelist.com fake search engine, the browser hijacker changes multiple browser settings such as the homepage, new tab preference, and the default search engine, so that all search inquiries go through the aforementioned site until results from Yahoo search engine are displayed.
Browser hijackers such as Search.accessiblelist.com, Search.validexplorer.com, Stream Tube, Webwow, and others, are considered as potentially unwanted programs, or PUPs for short, due to these features:
Browser intruders can be installed on cell phones, Windows, or macOS devices, either as browser extensions or as software. Usually, they get on devices without their users even knowing what they're installing them, or by being tricked into doing that.
These PUPs can show an abnormal amount of all kinds of ads, banners, pop-ups, and so on. Moreover, they can collect various browsing data and, in some cases, even private data, which may lead to possible privacy issues, financial loss, or even identity theft.
So if you're redirected to a fake search site, and you can't restore browser settings, it's time to remove Search.accessiblelist.com. We've compiled easy step-by-step instructions on how to do it, and you can find them at the bottom of this article.
Dependable anti-malware software like or could also be used for Search.accessiblelist.com removal. Additionally, it would find any other suspicious files that might have got downloaded whilst using the browser hijacker and prevent malicious software from infecting your devices in the future.
Due to the fact that PUPs can alter system registry and other system files by inserting themselves, experts recommend performing a full system scan with reliable system repair tools such as the app or similar to undo any changes that if left unattended might lead to various system irregularities.
- Deceptive installation/distribution methods.
- Gathering of browsing (sometimes personal) information, such as IP addresses, geolocation, visited sites, search queries, and so on.
- Forcing their users to visit affiliated, promoted websites.
- Displaying unwanted ads that could lead to malware infections.


From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker
- Tune-up devices that had this browser intruder to completely eliminate it by using the tool or similar powerful system repair tools
How Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker got into your browser
From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
Usually, browser hijackers, adware, and other potentially unwanted programs get installed on devices without the users' direct consent or by deceiving them into doing it.
The most common ways to spread these types of applications are misleading ads and software/freeware bundles.
Deceiving ads might pop-up on certain websites urging you to, for example, update your Flash Player or other software. And as soon as the user agrees to do that, some sort of PUP might get installed on their devices. Remember that websites don't know whether some of your software is out-dated, so don't get tricked.
PUPs are also commonly distributed with freeware/software bundles. Users rarely read the Terms & Conditions or choose Advanced/Custom installation instead of Standard/Quick one. And that's how this type of application gets installed because all checkboxes authorizing their installation are preselected.
Our suggestion is to download the required software only from official, established distributors as they very rarely use software bundling. If you desperately want an app that's been offered in a bundle, then take the time and go step-by-step in Advanced or Custom installation mode by deselecting all pre-ticked boxes of software that you're not willing to acquire.
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
search.accessiblelist.com
How to remove Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker
How to remove Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker and get your search engine back
Remove the extension first.
The search settings only stay fixed once nothing on the PC can change them again.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
In Chrome open
chrome://extensions, in Edgeedge://extensions, and in Firefox the menu > Extensions and themes.Remove every extension you do not remember adding, especially search, new tab, coupon, PDF, weather or video downloader add-ons. Check every browser and every profile, because each keeps its own list.
If an extension has no Remove button or comes back, a browser policy holds it (see "Managed by your organization" in the procedure below). The pages are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Put the search engine back and delete search.accessiblelist.com
In Chrome open Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, make an engine you trust the default, and delete
search.accessiblelist.comfrom the list.In Edge type
search engineinto the search box at the top of Settings and open Manage search engines; in Firefox use Settings > Search. Then check the homepage and the new tab page in the same settings, because hijackers change all three.If search.accessiblelist.com is back after a restart, an extension, a program or a policy still sets it, so finish the other steps and check again. The settings are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker rarely comes alone: it is usually installed by, or together with, a free program. In Windows 11 open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, in Windows 10 Settings > Apps > Apps & features, and sort by install date.
Uninstall every entry from the day the trouble began that you did not install on purpose, for example a download manager, a converter or a browser you never chose.
Keep drivers and entries from Microsoft, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA or your PC's maker unless you are sure.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 4: Reset the browser
A reset removes what the steps above could miss:
- changed start pages
- site permissions
- hidden settings
In Chrome open Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults; in Edge Settings > Reset settings; in Firefox Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox.
Tip: Bookmarks and saved passwords stay, while extensions are turned off and the search engine and start page return to the defaults.
Reset every browser on the PC, including Edge, which Windows 11 and Windows 10 always have.

Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
A scan finds the parts of Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker that the manual steps cannot see. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, start a Full scan and quarantine what it reports.
Follow it with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now, which restarts the PC and checks the disk while Windows and the malware are not running.
It takes about 15 minutes and works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. If either scan finds something, run the full scan again after removal until it comes back clean.

Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall potentially unwanted programs from Windows machines:
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.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete all the unwanted extensions and clean Chrome as follows:
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.

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.

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.

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.

Delete from macOS
If you are a macOS user, you should use the following guide to uninstall suspicious programs from your device:
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.

Protect your privacy - employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private - you can access an incognito tab.
However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise.
Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers - human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence.
In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market - it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
From our report of Jan 2021 · not reviewed since
Detailed instructions for Search.accessiblelist.com removal
As we've pointed out in the first chapter of this article, it's unsafe to keep using Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker.
It may lead to additional installations of potentially unwanted programs, malware infections, privacy issues, and many other factors.
We urge our readers to remove Search.accessiblelist.com browser extension or software that promotes it from all devices that get redirected to that site. Detailed instructions are provided below this paragraph. People don't have to be tech-savvy, just follow our instructions step-by-step.
Search.accessiblelist.com removal might also be done with the help of trustworthy anti-malware software or system repair tools that could not only eliminate the threat with all of its components but also repair their device's operating systems.
Questions about Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker
Is it safe to keep search.accessiblelist.com as my search engine?
It is not recommended. Searches through search.accessiblelist.com usually still return results, but the operator sees every query, often stores it with an identifier for your browser and shows extra ads or paid links. Some hijacked results lead to fake downloads or scam pages.
You also did not choose it, which means something changed your settings without asking and may still be installed. Set your own search engine back, remove the extension or program that set search.accessiblelist.com, and check the browser's other settings, such as the start page and notification permissions, for further changes made at the same time.
Can search.accessiblelist.com see my searches?
Yes. Every search typed into the address bar goes to search.accessiblelist.com first, which is how it earns money. It can log the query, the time and an identifier for your browser, and some hijackers also collect the pages you visit through their extension.
The privacy policy of such sites usually allows sharing that data with partners. Once the hijacker is removed and your own search engine is set again, new searches no longer reach it. Searches already sent cannot be taken back, so avoid entering sensitive information until the clean-up is finished, and clear cookies afterwards.
What is search.accessiblelist.com?
It is the search page used by the browser hijacker Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker. It has no search index of its own: it forwards your queries to another search engine and adds ads and tracking along the way.
People rarely choose it on purpose; it becomes the default search engine, home page or new tab after an extension, program or policy changes the browser settings. The page itself is not malware, but it should not be in your browser if you did not set it. The steps above remove the source and restore your settings.
Is search.accessiblelist.com dangerous?
It is not designed to infect the PC, but it is not neutral either. It logs searches, adds sponsored results that are hard to tell apart from real ones, and its ad partners are not checked as strictly as those of major search engines.
Some hijacker pages have shown ads for fake updates, tech support scams and unwanted software. The main harm is to privacy. Remove Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker, and if you entered personal data on sites reached through its results, check those sites carefully.
Do I have to fix every browser?
Yes, every one where the search engine or start page changed. In the cases we checked, Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker affected Chrome, Edge and Firefox.
Each browser stores its own search settings and extensions, so fixing one does not fix the others, and Windows-level changes such as shortcuts can affect each browser differently. Work through them one at a time:
- remove the extension
- check the policies
- restore the search engine
- start page
If you sync a browser, stay signed in so the fix spreads to your other computers.
Did search.accessiblelist.com record my searches?
Almost certainly. Logging is the point of a hijacker search page: each query, with your IP address, browser details and the result you clicked, is valuable to advertisers.
The operators of search.accessiblelist.com can store and share that data under their own privacy policy, which you never agreed to knowingly. There is no way to delete it from their side. What you can do is stop the flow:
- remove Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker
- clear cookies and site data for search.accessiblelist.com
- treat sensitive searches made in the meantime as known to a third party
Is only one browser affected?
Often not. Programs that install hijackers tend to change every browser they find, and sync can carry the extension to other computers signed in to the same browser account. Check Chrome, Edge and Firefox, even the ones you rarely use, and look at the shortcut targets on the desktop and taskbar for each.
If you use sync, remove the extension while signed in so the removal syncs too. Also check the On startup setting and the new tab page, because hijackers change those as well as the search engine.
Why can't I change my search engine back?
Because something keeps setting it. If an extension controls the search engine, Chrome and Edge show a note that an extension is controlling this setting, and your change is reverted. If a policy controls it, the field is greyed out and the browser shows Managed by your organization.
Remove the extension first, then the policies, and only then change the search engine; the change will stay. If it still reverts, look for a program in Installed apps or a scheduled task that reinstalls the extension.
Why does my search page look slightly different?
Because it is not your search engine's own page. Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker sends searches to search.accessiblelist.com, which may copy the colours and layout of a known search engine while adding its own ads and tracking. Small differences give it away:
- an unfamiliar address
- more ads than usual
- a different logo
- a search box with a brand name you do not recognise
Remove the hijacker and set your search engine again from the browser's settings to get the real page back. Then delete the hijacker's entry from the saved search engines list.
Will Fortect remove Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Search.accessiblelist.com browser hijacker, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Huntresslabs: Understanding Potentially Unwanted Programs Part I — It's Not Always Malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Zondervirus: Zondervirus (read October 6, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Product bundling (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)