Skip to content
  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Apr 2021

How to remove VideoSearchz

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

Alice Woods · Likes to teach users about virus prevention

VideoSearchz – a potentially unwanted program that will redirect your search inquiries through a fake search engine

VideoSearchz browser hijacker

VideoSearchz is a browser hijacker that can be installed either as an application or a browser extension. As soon as it's in the system, it makes modifications to your browser preferences by changing the default search engine, new tab, and homepage to feed.videosearchz.com.

That's an address of a fake search engine. It doesn't generate any search results but redirects you to a legitimate search engine like Yahoo, Bing, and others, depending on your geolocation. Usually, the search results are riddled with tons of deceptive ads.

Due to their shady functions and stealthy installation techniques, browser hijackers are categorized as potentially unwanted programs (PUP, for short). That makes this infection sound less dangerous than malware, but you should still remove it immediately. We're going to help with that in this article.

name VideoSearchz
Type Redirect virus, PUP, browser hijacker
Altered browser settings Homepage, new tab, default search engine
Promoted fake search site feed.videosearchz.com
Symptoms Search inquiries redirected through an unknown page, and search results are displayed from a different source than before; sudden redirects open questionable sites; the device is visibly slower
Risks PUP installation, malware infections, financial losses, privacy issues
Distribution Deceptive ads, file-sharing platforms, software bundles, fake Flash player updates
Elimination If you see any of the abovementioned symptoms, please scan your device with trustworthy anti-malware software to remove this browser hijacker
System health check All cyber infections leave their mark on your device's system files and settings. Please use the all-in-one FortectIntego system optimizer to take care of all system-related irregularities automatically

As well as similar browser hijackers such as Quick App virusCtcodeinfo.com virus, Searchmy.co virus, and others, VideoSearchz virus modifies your browser settings without your direct consent. By doing so, it can:

  • reroute all search traffic through a search engine of its choice,
  • cause sudden redirects to affiliated sites,
  • inject ads into the search results,
  • collect various device and browser-related data.

The article's culprit displays deceptive ads as recommended searches or search results. However, other forms are also possible. These ads have nothing to do with the affiliated sites as they are made to attract your attention and convince you to click on them.

Usually, developers of potentially unwanted programs, such as adware, browser hijackers, etc., advertise either each other or other shady websites. Thus such shown ads could redirect you to pages with push notification viruses, gambling, tech support scams, malware, porn, etc.

Furthermore, this type of PUP is well-known for its data-tracking capabilities. By causing redirects, it can gather all kinds of non-personal information,[1] including geolocations, IP addresses, device/browser info, used apps, frequently visited sites, clicked links, search inquiries, and so on. These details are then used to customize ads and make them irresistible to you.

If you value your security and privacy, you have to immediately remove this browser hijacker from your device. To do that automatically, download free but trustworthy security software such as MalwarebytesMalwarebytes or SpyHunterCombo Cleaner and perform a full system scan. The anti-malware tool will take do the dirty work for you.

Since all PUPs and questionable pages leave traces on your machine, you have to take care of that. The time-proven FortectIntego system diagnostics tool will finish virus removal by eliminating any of VideoSearchz entries from core system settings/files and delete tracking cookies. That's why cybersecurity experts[2] recommend it.

Keep your devices free of PUPs by avoiding their most common spreading techniques

Developers of junkware use various methods to spread their vile creations. One of the most popular ones is are packs of software containing installers for at least two apps. It's called software bundling. Nowadays, not only third-party vendors but legit software developers use this technique too.

You can avoid PUPs from such bundles by choosing the Advanced/Custom mode and deselecting all additional unwanted, untrustworthy-looking, suspicious apps from installation. Another sure way to get a PUP infection is to believe in ads or prompts that suggest that you need to update your Flash Player.

VideoSearchz virus

Support for this software was discontinued on December 31, 2020,[3], but cybercriminals still distribute spyware and malware camouflaged as Flash Player updates. If you ever see such a prompt/ad, please leave the page immediately, clear your browser history, and never visit it again.

Use proper anti-malware software to remove VideoSearchz virus safely

If your search queries are going through random pages until search results littered with ads are shown from a different search engine than before – you have VideoSearchz virus on your device. It can be installed either as a browser extension or an app.

To remove the former option, please use our free guidelines posted below. If installed as software, you will need to scan your infected device with a reliable security tool. Such a scan is recommended to identify, isolate, and remove any suspicious files or entries.

Browser hijackers, such as VideoSearchz, alter not only browser preferences but system files and settings too. That could cause various abnormal system behavior, such as crashing, lag, freezing, etc. Resolve all system inconsistencies automatically by running system diagnostics with compatible software.

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.

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

Be the first to comment

Spyware news
Privacy preferences

We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze traffic. Some cookies enable embedded content like videos and social posts. Choose what you allow — you can change this anytime.