Torrent Search (Free Instructions) - updated Oct 2017
Torrent Search Removal Guide
What is Torrent Search?
Torrent Search still bothers the virtual community
Torrent Search (alternatively known as TSearch) functions as a browser extension which supposedly assists users to find wanted torrents faster. All might seem fine and dandy except the fact that it has been classified as adware. Once you install the extension, TSearch icon appears on the top right corner (in Chrome browser). It integrates Torrenthunt.net into your browser toolbar as well. When you enter any torrent site, the search bar opens up.
However, at the same time, the program installs multiple .dll files. Later on, it marks them as exclusions in Windows Defender. The fact why the program developers did not want for the security program to detect the files sparks suspicions. It is common knowledge that torrent cheat sites and programs often happen to be a veneer for malware[1]. Consequently, it is likely that these files may only make your PC more vulnerable to virtual assaulsts[2].
Furthermore, you cannot find the program simply by entering its name in the search bar. There are a few apps, which bear the same name, mentioned in the forums. For instance, TSearch_1.0.2 program is promoted. However, the latter also triggers doubts whether it is safe to download it. Alternatively, Torrent Search engine is available on Chrome Web Store. The extension has obviously poor ratings[3]. There are other reasons why you may want to remove TSearch.
If the program was reliable, it would deliver explicit information about its purpose, privacy policy, etc,. There is no information about its authors as well. This PUP is called adware for a reason. Regarding its negative aspects, Torrent Search ads might pop up once in a while. Even legitimate advertising network[4] might mislead you to scam sites, therefore, regarding this PUP, such scenario is more likely. Do not wait until Torrent Search redirect phenomenon becomes an issue, get rid of the extension. FortectIntego or Malwarebytes will assist you in completing TSearch removal. Torrent Search performs shady activities in a background unrelated to torrent sharing.
PUP infiltration techniques
The adware is known traveling as an add-on to other free programs. Therefore, in order to prevent TSearch hijack, choose “Advanced” rather than “Express” or “Recommended.” Unmark all optional programs. Only when you are sure that no unnecessary tools will be installed, proceed with the installation.
Alternatively, the adware is also promoted by individual users in forums and torrent-related sites. If you tend to download torrents, bear in mind that the outcomes of malware invasion may significantly outweigh the entertainment of a downloaded game, movie or program.
Ways to delete Torrent Search from the browser
First of all, delete the extension. If eliminating it did not delete torrenthunt.net from the browser, opt for the manual elimination. Automatic Torrent Search removal saves time as well. It will locate all web scripts. Update the program and scan the device again. It is necessary to eliminate associated registry entries.
Later on, uninstall programs associated with the adware. In order to remove Torrent Search completely, manual instructions prove to be useful. This adware does not only spread in English but in French[5] sites as well.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of Torrent Search. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
If you have multiple browsers, uninstall TSearch program, its extension from all browsers. Even if the icon is not visible, scan the browser with a cybersecurity app.
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Torrent Search registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting adware
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
- ^ Rachel Rose O'Leary. Torrent Website Offers Users Rewards for Cryptocurrency Mining. Coindesk. Leader in blockchain news.
- ^ Keith Collins. Hackers stole information on Windows vulnerabilities from Microsoft in 2013. Quartz. Technology news and insights.
- ^ Torrent Search Engine. Chrome Web Store.
- ^ Julie Splinters. Clicking on Taboola ads leads users to a scam site. 2-spyware. Security and spyware news.
- ^ Eliminate computer threats. Lesvirus. Security news in French.