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Spyware News
  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Mar 2020

How to remove Totalrecipesearch.com redirect

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

Gabriel E. Hall · Passionate web researcher

Total Recipe Search – a browser hijacker offering advanced recipe searching and meal planning

Totalrecipesearch.com virus

Totalrecipesearch – a potentially unwanted program that has been spread in a form of toolbar. The PUP belongs to an infamous company called Mindspark Interactive Network Inc.[1] known for its hijackers which have been spread for years by using bundling and similar techniques. Allegedly, the Total Search app is suited for planning meals and provides beneficial-looking features such as fast access to Facebook, weather pages, daily recipes, menu planners, etc. However, computer security experts claim that having this toolbar on your computer can cause various inconveniences and dangers. Once the user installs the Total Recipe Search Toolbar, his/her search engine is set to search.myway.com. Additionally, the app starts tracking the user to collect non-PII.

Name Total recipe search
Type Browser hijacker
Developer Mindspark Interactive Network Inc.
Promoted as Menu planner
Detection PUP/Win32.Mindspark.R233545; GrayWare/Win32.StartPage.gen; Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.BA, etc.
Found in Bundled products, official page, unsecured third-party sources
Redirecs To  myway.com
Removal Remove the PUP manually or automatically as explained below
Recovery Use FortectIntego to recover after infection for best results

Additionally, Total Search virus can provoke redirects to questionable websites, system slowdowns, commercial content that appears during their browsing sessions and similar problems. Of course, this program is not malicious or dangerous by itself, but it might advertise third-party[2] companies, which might be questionable. We have investigated Total Recipe Search Toolbar's Terms of Use, and this is what we found:

The MS Products may integrate, be integrated into, bundled, or be provided in connection with third-party services, feeds and/or content. […] MS Products may provide access to search results or other links to Third Party Partner websites or resources. MS has no control over such sites and resources, in which you acknowledge and agree that MS is not responsible for the availability of such external sites or resources, and does not endorse nor responsible or liable for any content, advertising, products, or other materials on or available from such sites or resources. […] MS Products are exposed to various security issues, and should be regarded as unsecure.

The question here is do you really need Totalrecipesearch.com on your computer and web browsers? Once this potentially unwanted program modifies browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, or Microsoft Edge, you cannot reverse the changes performed on the homepage, search engine, or new tab URL if you do not get rid of the browser-hijacking app completely.

Totalrecipesearch.com browser hijacker

The name of Totalrecipesearch.com virus is given for this application not for no reason. All suspicious activities and modifications on web browsers are performed secretly without the user's consent mostly. Besides, the PUP enters targeted machines by using sneaky ways too. These techniques are known as “bundling” when the browser hijacker comes as an additional component within the downloaded software package.

Our suggestion would be not to fall for any “benefits” that are brought by Totalrecipesearch.com. Fast access to popular networks, recipe viewing, and similar functions are not worth experiencing other suspicious activities that can be performed by the browser hijacker. This rogue component might support some misleading products, e.g. fake repair software and try pushing it through pop-ups, pop-unders, banner ads, etc.

The worst and most potentially dangerous thing of Total search activities is the redirecting part. Redirects are supposed to take the user to affiliate websites for supporting partners. However, sometimes, you might find yourself landing on unsecured pages and networks. This might lead to unexpected malware installation on your computer. Mostly, criminals spread trojans and ransomware viruses this way.

What is annoying about Totalrecipesearch is the fact that the browser hijacker can gather some non-personal information about your browsing activities and stalk your search sessions. For example, the PUP can get on hold of such data as commonly visited websites, clicked hyperlinks, saved bookmarks, your IP. Later on, the developers might use the information for providing tricky offers to you.

Totalrecipesearch.com PUP

Remove Totalrecipesearch from your computer system and browsers. You can either choose automatic (use anti-malware software) or manual method – we provide detailed instructions for the latter below. Additionally, we recommend scanning the computer with FortectIntego to fix files that might have been damaged due to the PUP infection.

Total recipe search removal is a necessity if you are keen on ensuring the full stability of your computing and browsing work. If you do not want to find your web browsers struggling to carry out simple actions or crashing during browsing sessions, you need to get rid of the browser hijacker and all its additional components such as bogus files, processes, add-ons, plug-ins, and extensions. It involves cleaning both the operating system and web browsers also.

Invasion techniques of potentially unwanted programs

Some extensions that put the browser hijacker[3] on your browser can easily be downloaded from its official website but there is a possibility you might be offered to install it together with another program as well. Such distribution method is legitimate. However, many computer users skip the statements about the promotion of additional software because they tend to rush through the installation process by clicking 'Next' all the time. You should not behave like that.

In addition, you can always monitor the software components and disagree to install the suggested applications by selecting the “Advanced” or “Custom” installation method. Then the setup provides an additional window, which displays a list of programs that are recommended to install. If you do not want to install them, deselect these suggestions by removing the” 'tick” sign near each bogus component. 

Continuously, browser hijackers and other potentially unwanted content are capable of sneaking into the computer system unexpectedly through third-party hyperlinks and advertisements. Such objects are often met on secondary networks and include suspicious components. The best way to avoid stealth infiltration through these sources is NOT to visit them. Also, according to Virusai.lt cybersecurity specialists,[4] you should get a reputable anti-malware tool that will protect you 24/7.

Successfully terminate all objects related to Totalrecipesearch.com 

Totalrecipesearch removal can be successful in two simple ways. First, you should verify your skills and capabilities of eliminating PUPs on your own. If you think that you have the required skills and will easily succeed with the elimination process, you can go for manual removal guidelines.

There are some steps provided below that will help you to uninstall Totalrecipesearch virus from Windows/Mac operating systems and web browser applications such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Safari.

However, if you doubt your skills or think that the manual removal technique is just not for you, you can always remove Totalrecipesearch from your computer system and web browsers with the help of reliable anti-malware software. Take a look at the list provided below.

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

Did this guide help?

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2 comments

  1. natalia

    Thank you guys so much! because of you, my computer is spam free!

    Still confused that how will i know that same virus got in my System???

  2. Harry

    it is not a virus, first of all. you can realize that it happened if you see changes on your computer that were made without your intervention. look for new toolbars, unexpectedly set homepages and similar signs. moreover, a computer slowdown can also be a sign that you have installed a suspicious app

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