How to remove VIPSearch Pro browser hijacker

VIPSearch Pro is a browser hijacker that won't provide reliable search results

VIPSearch Pro is promoted as a useful tool that allegedly could help users to receive personalized search results and is meant to enhance the web browsing experience. However, this app is commonly distributed via software bundle packages and is not installed intentionally – this is just one of the reasons it falls into the potentially unwanted program^[1] category.

As soon as the application is installed on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, MS Edge, or another web browser, it changes its settings immediately. To be precise, the homepage and new tab URL are immediately swapped to vipsearch.pro, which alters their appearance and functionality. The customized search box is also inserted – a tool that users are meant to employ every time they search the web.

Unfortunately, the web browsing experience is nothing like it used to be due to the hijacker's functions. First and foremost is the search provider, as it uses a different one from before. While it might look familiar, it is not based on Google. Instead, the alternative provider shows inaccurate and altered search results. The most distinct browser hijacker's function is to insert ads at the top of the results, making users likely to click on them.

Unfortunately, some of the provided links may not be entirely useful or even secure. People might end up installing other potentially unwanted programs on their devices or subscribing to useless services. Therefore, we recommend you remove VIPSearch Pro immediately, especially if you gound it on your browser seemingly out of nowhere.

Tricks of browser hijackers

Browser hijackers are rather sneaky applications that are commonly disguised as something useful. They are supposed to block ads, provide discounts and coupons, and more. Many of such apps are presented as tools that can “enhance” or “speed up” browsing activities. As evident, VIPSearch Pro is trying to use the same trick, claiming that it is “Your personalized search engine for professional users!”

However, not allegedly useful features are usually nowhere to be found when it comes to browser hijackers. All of them have a very distinct goal – to change browsing preferences in order to alter the search function. This is advertised as the main selling point by the developers, as it is supposed to improve the web browsing experience. In reality, these apps do not provide anything useful and just spam users with ads.

The search provider that is assigned by the hijacker might seem like something trustworthy, as it even uses colors similar to how Google uses them. This is a very known technique, as it makes people associate it with something familiar and trustworthy. However, this is a bare imitation, and the hijacker has nothing to do with Google or other reputable providers.

Instead, users are fed with links to websites where dubious software is promoted. We strongly recommend avoiding these sites and not installing anything from them, as it could cause technical and security issues with your device.

Instead, you should eliminate the hijacker and everything related to it. It is worth mentioning that there could be other PUPs or even malware installed on your system, so you should definitely use SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, or another anti-malware to check for high-risk software and remove it instantly.

VIPSearch Pro removal steps

Most browser hijackers are considered to be minor infections that are not that difficult to remove. Just as many other apps of this type, VIPSearch Pro is spread as a browser extension. Extensions are much easier to make and spread; they take little space and can provide enough functionality.

Unfortunately, browser hijackers are not using this power for something positive but rather for monetization purposes through insecure ads. This can put users' safety and computer security at risk. This is why removing PUPs from browsers or systems is vital.

1. Remove the unwanted extensions

If you have never used browser extensions and are not sure how to remove them, please check the steps below.

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.

Mozilla Firefox

• Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the window's top-right).
• Select Add-ons.
• In here, select the unwanted plugin and click Remove.

MS Edge (Chromium)

• Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
• Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Safari

• Click Safari > Preferences…
• In the new window, pick Extensions.
• Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.

2. Clean your browsers

Removing browser extensions is just the first step to ensure that your device is secure again. VIPSearch Pro browser hijacker uses cookies, web beacons, and other tracking technologies to collect various data about you. For example, the following information can be gathered:

• IP address
• Browser preferences such as language
• Technical device data
• Cookies
• Search queries
• Clicked links, etc.

While most of this information is considered to be anonymous, it is yet another party that is tracking you, which is not a welcome development when it comes to privacy. In order to stop unwanted information tracking by third parties, you should clean your browser's caches and cookies from time to time. It is especially important after eliminating adware, a browser hijacker, or another potentially unwanted program from your machine.

You can clean your browsers quickly and efficiently with FortectIntego repair and maintenance utility. If you would like to do this yourself, you can refer to the step-by-step guide below.

Google 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.

Mozilla Firefox

• Click Menu and pick Options.
• 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.

MS Edge (Chromium)

• Click on Menu and go to Settings.
• Select Privacy and services.
• Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
• Under Time range, pick All time.
• Select Clear now.

Safari

• Click Safari > Clear History…
• From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
• Confirm with Clear History.

3. Perform extra checks

It is important to note that there could be other applications or extensions installed on your system/browser. This is particularly common due to deceptive distribution tactics used by third-party websites and other sources. For example, you might be tricked by a fake update or Flash Player^[2] install prompt and install a PUP without even realizing it. Freeware^[3] installers also commonly include optional components that are cleverly hidden within the installation wizard.

Thus, always be attentive when installing new software, especially when it comes from unknown, previously unexplored sites. It goes without saying that you should not download anything from torrent sites, as they commonly spread malware such as Nqsq ransomware.

If you are not sure where or how to check for potentially malicious programs, you should instead employ SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes security software for the job. It can also check the system for malware and remove it as required. Below we also provide methods to manually remove programs from your Windows, Android, or macOS devices.