Search App by Ask v2 virus: what it is and how to remove it
Search App by Ask v2 is one of the most common browser hijackers users might find on their Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and other browsers unexpectedly. The browser plugin, which can be downloaded from official sources, usually gets installed without users' notice and assigns search.ask.com as a homepage and new tab address.
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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If search.ask.com returns after you change the search engine back, a free scan can find the program that keeps setting it.
Do it yourself · free Remove Search App by Ask v2 virus yourself 5 steps, about 15 minutes, no software needed.
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Search App by Ask v2 virus: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | Search App by Ask v2 virus |
| Type | Search hijacker extension |
| Symptoms | A changed search engine |
| 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 5 more facts
| Evidence | 6 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
|---|---|
| Search page | search.ask.com |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 2 August 2019 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What Search App by Ask v2 virus changes in your browser
should be blocked from the store.. as with others this was installed without notification
Is Search App by Ask v2 virus dangerous? What it collects
From our report of Aug 2019 · not reviewed since
Search App by Ask v2 can gather you personal data from your Facebook profile
To increase the profits, Search App by Ask v2 wants to show you ads and direct you to sites that are relevant to you.
For that, certain type of information is gathered about you, such as:
While most of such data is collected by various providers (including Google), Ask does not stop there. The PUP also collects data that can disclose your personal information, as it also collects your search queries and comments. For example, if you disclose certain personal information while your browser is hijacked, it will be recorded and sent to Asks servers.
In some situations, Search App by Ask v2 can also harvest data on your social media, as it is explained in the Privacy policy:
It goes without saying that information is one of the most valuable assets a company might have, as it can be used for profits. However, what does this mean to you and what ramifications such excessive data gathering can bring?
It is up to you to decide, but we would highly recommend you remove Search App by Ask v2 to stop the background activities and go back to regular search results on our browser.
- IP address;
- Mobile phone ID;
- Technical data about the computer or mobile device;
- ISP or mobile network provider;
- Preferences and settings;
- Cookies;
- Search history;
- Links clicked, sites visited, search results selected;
- Goelocation, etc.
From our report of Aug 2019 · not reviewed since
Be wary when installing software updates and third-party software
Many techniques are used to distribute browser hijackers and other potentially unwanted programs.
While you can easily download the browser extension on the official web sites like Chrome web store, other distribution methods are not so straightforward, or even fair.
Beware PUPs may infiltrate your computer unnoticed because they are added to various freeware installers. Here, they are presented as "optional components" that can be either accepted or declined. However, the latter option might be a little tricky, and users who do not pay close attention to the installation process can often miss the point where they can reject the PUP.
This is because unwanted apps are often hidden under pre-ticked boxes, misleading button placements, and Recommended/Quick settings. Thus, always be attentive during the installation of new software, as well as software updates, as PUPs can be included inside and kept out of sight.
Do not forget to pick Advanced/Custom installation options, as this is usually where all the unwanted apps are hidden. In such a way, you can decline the optional components before they enter your device.
From our report of Aug 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Search App by Ask v2 virus
- Software bundles, Java updates, third-party sites, official stores
- Chrome web store user rating
- The plugin gathers various information about you; sponsored links might lead to unwanted software installation or money loss
- These third parties may also provide us with information about your interactions with their products and services and/or activities on third party websites.
- For example, use of Service functions that connect to your social media account (e.g., Facebook Connect) may permit us access to your social network profile information, including your first name, last name, gender, birth date and email address, in accordance with your settings on the social network.
- If you choose to post information to your social media account via the Services, you will be making this information available to other users of these Services.
How Search App by Ask v2 virus got into your browser
From our report of Aug 2019 · not reviewed since
Search App by Ask v2 is a widespread browser hijacker that collects a variety of information about you
Search App by Ask v2 is one of the most common browser hijackers users might find on their Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and other browsers unexpectedly.
The browser plugin, which can be downloaded from official sources, usually gets installed without users' notice and assigns search.ask.com as a homepage and new tab address.
Besides, Search App by Ask v2 uses a customized search engine developed by Ask Media Group, which exposes users to a variety of sponsored search results as soon as they press the "Search" button. It means that the results are not organic, and all the top links are rather paid for by affiliates.
Search App by Ask v2 also collects a suspiciously large amount of information about the users and, unlike most other hijackers, this one gathers data that can easily disclose users' identities, their views, interests, and other private details. Security experts highly recommend proceeding with Search App by Ask v2 removal, especially if the pest appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
From our report of Aug 2019 · not reviewed since
The dubious distribution, operation and persistence techniques of Search App by Ask v2 browser hijacker
Initially being question and answer site, Ask Media Group rapidly expanded in the 2000s and acquired multiple organizations.
Its own search engine was developed, along with the notorious Ask Toolbar that was viewed extremely negatively by the security community. The trend continued when Search App by Ask v2 was released, as it also uses dubious distribution, operation, and persistence techniques to stay on users' machines as long as possible.
It is not surprising that users called this hijacker "Search App by Ask v2 virus" or "Search App by Ask v2 malware," and there are plenty of negative reviews about its dubious operation techniques. One Google Chrome user wrote:
Most of the users complained about its suspicious installation, as they did not install Search App by Ask v2 intentionally. While in most of the cases the browser plugin is bundled with other free software from third-party sites, some installs come from Java update, which is owned by Oracle.
Upon the installation, Search App by Ask v2 changes web browser settings without asking. Nevertheless, if you are using modern browsers, such as Google Chrome, it will notify you that the changes were made, and offer you to go back to your default settings. If that is the case, do not agree and pick your previous configuration.
However, those who do agree to change the way their browser operates and start relying on a customized search engine will soon notice that their search results are filled with sponsored links. These links lead to sponsored sites, and might not necessarily be useful.
Nevertheless, Search App by Ask v2 generates money for each click made to such sites. Considering a large number of users who have this unwanted program installed against their will, the revenue generated is enormous.
Finally, those who decide to remove Search App by Ask v2 from their devices might experience difficulties, as users complained that the plugin simply gets reinstalled after its termination.
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
search.ask.com
How to remove Search App by Ask v2 virus
How to remove Search App by Ask v2 virus 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.ask.com
In Chrome open Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, make an engine you trust the default, and delete
search.ask.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.ask.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 App by Ask v2 virus 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 App by Ask v2 virus 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
To remove Search App by Ask v2 from Windows OS, please follow this guide:
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 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
Reset MS Edge in the following way as soon as you delete the PUP:
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 your Mac is suffering from a browser hijacker, proceed with these steps in order to stop it:
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 Aug 2019 · not reviewed since
Search App by Ask v2 removal methods
Search App by Ask v2 is now an old application, and it is less likely to be spread around.
Thus, if your browser is hijacked, be aware that the information about you is being tracked and you are not presented with organic search results.
If you decide to remove Search App by Ask v2 from your computer, you need to go to the installed program list and look for the program entry. However, you need to make sure that you reset each of the installed browsers as well, as traces of the app might still be present, and browser changes might not go away.
Besides, you can use security software for comprehensive Search App by Ask v2 removal. The anti-virus program will delete all the entries automatically within just a few minutes, and you will be able to enjoy browsing soon again.
Questions about Search App by Ask v2 virus
Is it safe to keep search.ask.com as my search engine?
It is not recommended. Searches through search.ask.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.ask.com, and check the browser's other settings, such as the start page and notification permissions, for further changes made at the same time.
Did search.ask.com come with a program I installed?
Most likely, yes. Search hijackers such as search.ask.com usually arrive with free software, where an extra offer is pre-ticked in the installer, or as an extension that promises something useful, such as file conversion, maps, recipes or streaming.
Look at Settings, Apps, Installed apps sorted by install date: whatever was installed just before the search engine changed is the main suspect. Uninstall it, then remove any extension you do not recognise. In future, choose the custom or advanced option in installers and untick extra offers, and install extensions only from the official store pages of publishers you know.
What is search.ask.com?
It is the search page used by the browser hijacker Search App by Ask v2 virus. 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.ask.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 App by Ask v2 virus, 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 App by Ask v2 virus 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.ask.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.ask.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 App by Ask v2 virus
- clear cookies and site data for search.ask.com
- treat sensitive searches made in the meantime as known to a third party
Why does my search page look slightly different?
Because it is not your search engine's own page. Search App by Ask v2 virus sends searches to search.ask.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.
What do I lose if I reset Chrome or Edge?
Less than you might think. A reset turns off all extensions, which you can turn back on one by one, restores the default search engine, home page, new tab and pinned tabs, and clears cookies, so you are signed out of most sites.
Bookmarks, history, saved passwords and autofill data stay. Firefox's equivalent, Refresh Firefox, keeps the same essentials but removes add-ons completely. Before you reset, make sure you know your main passwords or have them saved, since you will need to sign in again.
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.
Will Fortect remove Search App by Ask v2 virus?
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 App by Ask v2 virus, 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
- Chrome Web Store: Search App By Ask v2 (read October 6, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Pay-per-click (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)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 6, 2026)