Remove YesSearches from Chrome, Firefox browsers

YesSearches.com redirect Removal Guide

What is YesSearches.com redirect?

YesSearches — a fake search engine that is launched by ShortcutBoost.exe process

YesSearches hijackerYesSearches - a fake search tool which controls your Firefox and Chrome web browsers to fill your searches with sponsored content.

YesSearches is a bogus search engine that has features of a browser hijacker.[1] This potentially unwanted program (PUP) can infiltrate the system unnoticed thru bundling. Once there, it drops Clqvrfsrv.exe, ShortcutBoost.exe and Uninst.exe to launch with every startup. Additionally, it replaces the default search engine and the homepage to www.yessearches.com domain to start rerouting its victim to sponsored sites. To prevent users from reverting these changes back, the virus also alters the computer's Registry. From first sight, YesSearches might look like a legitimate search engine which includes a Privacy policy, EULA,[2] and optional languages. However, as you must have already understood, it hides shady functionality behind these allegedly useful functions. You should not spend your time dealing with this hijacker. Make sure you terminate it right after it appears on your web browsers.

Name YesSearches
Type Browser hijacker
Main file Clqvrfsrv.exe; ShortcutBoost.exe; Uninst.exe
Detected as PUA.Yessearches
Affects web browsers Chrome, Firefox
Symptoms Delivers intrusive advertisements, causes redirects, displays altered search results
Distribution Software bundles, deceptive promotions or websites
Main danger Collects various user information
Elimination Use FortectIntego for general system cleaning

The main aim of YesSearches virus is infiltrating third-party ads directly into the search results it displays on victim's screen. As a result, you might find difficulties in finding needed information quickly. Reasonable and safe search tools always limit the amount of commercial content displayed to their users and separate them from the organic search results. However, this browser hijacker acts in the opposite way. As a result, security vendors have started detecting it as PUA.Yessearches and similar.

Additionally, YesSearches seeks redirect victim's searches to third party sites that are typically working on increasing their search rank or visitors' number. While some part of these domains is considered to be safe, the other part should be avoided or at least left when entered. Beware that visiting such domains can end up with useless tools on your computer, e.g. fake optimization tools, rogue anti-spyware apps, etc. Additionally, such sites can locate tech support scams seeking to swindle users' personal data.

Furthermore, this potentially unwanted program is also capable of collecting various information about users. Fortunately, YesSearches does not collect personally identifiable information.[3] However, browser hijacker immediately after infiltration starts tracking and recording:

  • search keywords;
  • visited websites;
  • clicked ads;
  • IP address;
  • location.

YesSearches browser hijackerYesSearches is a shady search tool that might hijack your browser after installing freeware or shareware.

Aggregated information is usually used for advertising purposes, meaning that based on your activities online, the hijacker display targeted or personalized ads.[4] However, information about you might be shared or sold to third-parties. Thus, if you do not want to see more ads on the browser, you should remove YesSearches virus.

Browser hijackers are not hard to uninstall manually (check the instructions below). However, we recommend opting for automatic YesSearches removal. It allows deleting hijacker-related entries from the system using reputable anti-malware software like FortectIntego.

This automatic removal is beneficial for the system, according to various users, this program gets installed on the system with programs like VPlay. You need to uninstall this or any similar program and change browser settings to default if you want to get rid of YesSearches search engine. Uninstalling the program is not enough browser changes may still affect your browsing online. Cleaning the system thoroughly with anti-malware os system tools can terminate all additional processes and applications completely.

YesSearches infiltrationYesSearches virus has been spread with the help of bundling. Opt for Advanced installation and de-select unwanted additions to prevent the PUP.

Free software installers might include browser hijacker

The virus usually infiltrates the target system when users download freeware or shareware incorrectly. A security team from bedynet.ru[5] reminds that PUPs cannot get into the system by themselves. They need users permission to enter the system, and users give it without even knowing it.

If you have recently downloaded some “safe” freeware from the Internet, then it means you have probably received a bundle with it. Shareware bundling is a method used to spread various potentially unwanted programs, such as questionable add-ons or plug-ins. Developers of the freeware do not warn you what lies behind „standard“ or „default“ installation options.

Most of the computer users rush through installation steps, hastily choose default settings for the installation and click finish. You should always pay attention to freeware installation:

  • Read the Terms and Agreements, as well as Privacy Policy.
  • Use “Custom” or “Advanced” installation settings instead of “Quick” or “Recommended.”
  • Untick all the boxes suggesting to install extra programs,
  • Do not give the authorization to change your homepage.

YesSearches virusYesSearches is a potentially unwanted program that displays commercial content to your browser and redirects to questionable websites.

Remove YesSearches from Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox web browsers

One of the ways to remove YesSearches from your web browser is to download a reliable anti-spyware, update it to its latest version and run a full system scan. This should help you get rid of its reappearance on the system. Keep in mind that hijacker travels around together with numerous components, including specific BHOs and Windows services. Also, you should think about an alternative search engine that does not track its users and then share such data with third parties.

However, if you do not want to opt for automatic YesSearches removal, you can follow the manual removal guide below. Make sure you terminate the following processes at first: Clqvrfsrv.exe, ShortcutBoost.exe, Uninst.exe. Then, uninstall all apps that you don't know or seem suspicious and reset your web browsers:

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.

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What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of YesSearches.com redirect. Follow these steps

Uninstall from Windows

To uninstall YesSearches from Windows, follow these steps to get rid of every suspicious app that you can't remember installing:

Instructions for Windows 10/8  machines:

  1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 1
  3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
  4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
  5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
  6. Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK. Uninstall from Windows 2

If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 7/XP
  3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
  4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
  5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
  6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove malicious Firefox extensions related to this browser hijacker as shown below:

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 unwanted plugin 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 Options.
  3. Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.

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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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

Get rid of YasSearches by removing suspicious extensions at first. Additionally, reset 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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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

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 YesSearches.com 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 stealing programs

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 Private Internet Access 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 Private Internet Access 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. Data Recovery Pro 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.

About the author
Lucia Danes
Lucia Danes - Virus researcher

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References
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