What is EXtSearchs?
According to security experts, EXtSearchs is a PUP (potentially unwanted program) from the group of Browser hijackers. Typically, browser hijackers make changes to the default homepage and search engine of user web browsers, making it difficult to change them back. Browser hijackers may also include unwanted ads and popups to show up in the hijacked web-browsers. Browser hijackers are usually installed with freeware or shareware downloaded from third-party web-pages; they can also be found inside legitimate web-sites and applications.
EXtSearchs redirects user seaches to Yahoo
Most often, hijackers promote fake search providers by setting their address as the default search provider. In this case, the browser hijacker installs searchnets.xyz as a search engine. This means that users whose browser is affected with the hijacker are forced to visit searchnets.xyz each time they search in the Web, open a new window or tab. And since searchnets.xyz is not a real search provider and does not have the ability to find the information users need, this web page redirects the user’s web-browser to the Yahoo search engine.
The security researchers do not recommend having PUPs like EXtSearchs on the personal computer, as it is not known exactly what it does. In addition to the above, it has the ability to gather a wide variety of privacy information about you which may be later transferred to third parties. You don’t know if your home address, account names and passwords are safe. And of course you completely do not know what will happen when you click on any ads on the EXtSearchs web page.
Take a deep breath. Learn everything you should know about EXtSearchs hijacker removal, how to get rid of browser hijacker from your internet browser and PC. Find the best free malicious software removal tools here!
How can a browser hijacker get on your PC
Most commonly, browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs are bundled with the installers from file sharing web sites. So, install a freeware is a a good chance that you will find a bundled browser hijacker. If you don’t know how to avoid it, then use a simple trick. During the setup, select the Custom or Advanced setup method. Next, click ‘Decline’ button and clear all checkboxes on offers that ask you to install additional applications. Moreover, please carefully read Term of use and User agreement before installing any software or otherwise you can end up with another unwanted program on your personal computer such as this hijacker.
Threat Summary
| Name | EXtSearchs |
| Type | PUP, browser hijacker, search provider hijacker, homepage hijacker, redirect virus |
| Associated website | searchnets.xyz |
| Affected Browser Settings | newtab page URL, search provider, homepage |
| Distribution | freeware setup files, dubious pop up advertisements, fake software updaters |
| Symptoms | You experience lots of of unexpected ads. Every time you perform an Internet search, your web browser is redirected to another web site. There is an unwanted program in the ‘Uninstall a program’ section of your Control Panel. Unwanted web-browser toolbar(s) Unexpected changes in your web browser such as displaying new tabs you didn’t open. |
| Removal | EXtSearchs removal guide |
How to remove EXtSearchs from Windows 10 (8, 7, XP)
We are presenting various solutions to remove EXtSearchs from the Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome using only internal MS Windows functions. Most of browser hijackers and potentially unwanted applications can be deleted via these steps. If these steps does not help to remove EXtSearchs, then it’s better to use free malware removal tools linked below.
To remove EXtSearchs, perform the steps below:
- How to manually get rid of EXtSearchs
- Automatic Removal of EXtSearchs
- Run AdBlocker to stay safe online
- To sum up
How to manually get rid of EXtSearchs
To get rid of EXtSearchs hijacker, adware and other unwanted software you can try to do so manually. Unfortunately some of the browser hijackers won’t show up in your program list, but some browser hijackers may. In this case, you may be able to remove it via the uninstall function of your device. You can do this by completing the steps below.
Remove EXtSearchs associated software by using Windows Control Panel
In order to remove potentially unwanted software like this hijacker, open the Windows Control Panel and click on “Uninstall a program”. Check the list of installed applications. For the ones you do not know, run an Internet search to see if they are adware, hijacker or PUPs. If yes, delete them off. Even if they are just a apps which you do not use, then deleting them off will increase your PC system start up time and speed dramatically.
Windows 10, 8.1, 8
Click the Windows logo, and then click Search 
. Type ‘Control panel’and press Enter as shown below.
Once the ‘Control Panel’ opens, click the ‘Uninstall a program’ link under Programs category as displayed below.
Windows 7, Vista, XP
Open Start menu and choose the ‘Control Panel’ at right as on the image below.
Then go to ‘Add/Remove Programs’ or ‘Uninstall a program’ (MS Windows 7 or Vista) like the one below.
Carefully browse through the list of installed software and delete all questionable and unknown applications. We suggest to click ‘Installed programs’ and even sorts all installed applications by date. Once you have found anything dubious that may be the EXtSearchs browser hijacker or other potentially unwanted application, then choose this program and click ‘Uninstall’ in the upper part of the window. If the dubious program blocked from removal, then use Revo Uninstaller Freeware to fully remove it from your computer.
Remove EXtSearchs from Chrome
If your Chrome web browser is hijacked by EXtSearchs, it may be necessary to completely reset your browser application to its original settings.
Open the Google Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal dotes (
). It will show the drop-down menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
Carefully browse through the list of installed extensions. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guidance: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy otherwise, just go to the step below.
Open the Google Chrome main menu again, press to “Settings” option.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the Reset settings section is visible, similar to the one below and press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
Confirm your action, press the “Reset” button.
Delete EXtSearchs browser hijacker from Firefox
This step will help you delete EXtSearchs, third-party toolbars, disable malicious extensions and return your default home page, new tab and search engine settings.
Run the Mozilla Firefox and click the menu button (it looks like three stacked lines) at the top right of the web browser screen. Next, press the question-mark icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu. It will open the slide-out menu.
Select the “Troubleshooting information”. If you’re unable to access the Help menu, then type “about:support” in your address bar and press Enter. It bring up the “Troubleshooting Information” page as displayed below.
Click the “Refresh Firefox” button at the top right of the Troubleshooting Information page. Select “Refresh Firefox” in the confirmation prompt. The Firefox will begin a procedure to fix your problems that caused by the EXtSearchs browser hijacker. Once, it’s finished, click the “Finish” button.
Delete EXtSearchs hijacker from Internet Explorer
In order to recover all internet browser homepage, new tab page and search provider you need to reset the Internet Explorer to the state, that was when the MS Windows was installed on your personal computer.
First, start the Internet Explorer, press 
) button. Next, click “Internet Options” as shown in the figure below.
In the “Internet Options” screen select the Advanced tab. Next, click Reset button. The Internet Explorer will open the Reset Internet Explorer settings prompt. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box and click Reset button.
You will now need to reboot your device for the changes to take effect. It will remove EXtSearchs hijacker, disable malicious and ad-supported web browser’s extensions and restore the Internet Explorer’s settings such as search engine by default, new tab page and start page to default state.
Automatic Removal of EXtSearchs
It is not enough to remove EXtSearchs from your browser by completing the manual steps above to solve all problems. Some browser hijacker related files may remain on your computer and they will recover the hijacker even after you remove it. For that reason we suggest to use free antimalware utility such as Zemana Free, MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) and HitmanPro. Either of those programs should be able to detect and get rid of EXtSearchs browser hijacker.
Use Zemana Free to remove EXtSearchs browser hijacker
Zemana Free is an ultra light weight utility to delete EXtSearchs hijacker from your web browser. It also removes malicious software and adware from your personal computer. It improves your system’s performance by uninstalling PUPs.
- Zemana Free can be downloaded from the following link. Save it directly to your Microsoft Windows Desktop.
Zemana AntiMalware
164106 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
- Once you have downloaded the installation file, make sure to double click on the Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup. This would start the Zemana installation on your personal computer.
- Select installation language and click ‘OK’ button.
- On the next screen ‘Setup Wizard’ simply click the ‘Next’ button and follow the prompts.
- Finally, once the installation is complete, Zemana Free will open automatically. Else, if doesn’t then double-click on the Zemana Anti-Malware icon on your desktop.
- Now that you have successfully install Zemana AntiMalware, let’s see How to use Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) to get rid of EXtSearchs hijacker from your computer.
- After you have opened the Zemana Anti-Malware, you’ll see a window as shown on the screen below, just click ‘Scan’ button for scanning your device for the hijacker.
- Now pay attention to the screen while Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) scans your personal computer.
- As the scanning ends, the results are displayed in the scan report. Make sure all threats have ‘checkmark’ and click ‘Next’ button.
- Zemana Anti Malware may require a reboot PC in order to complete the EXtSearchs browser hijacker removal procedure.
- If you want to completely delete browser hijacker from your device, then click ‘Quarantine’ icon, select all malicious software, adware software, PUPs and other items and click Delete.
- Reboot your personal computer to complete the hijacker removal procedure.
Use Hitman Pro to get rid of EXtSearchs from the device
HitmanPro is one of the most useful utilities for removing hijackers, adware, PUPs and other malware. It can look for hidden malware in your PC system and remove all malicious folders and files linked to browser hijacker. Hitman Pro will help you to remove EXtSearchs from your computer and Chrome, IE, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge. We strongly recommend you to download this utility as the creators are working hard to make it better.
Installing the HitmanPro is simple. First you will need to download HitmanPro on your MS Windows Desktop from the link below.
Download and run HitmanPro on your computer. Once started, click “Next” button . HitmanPro tool will begin scanning the whole computer to find out the EXtSearchs hijacker. Depending on your computer, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. When a malicious software, adware or potentially unwanted software are found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. .
After HitmanPro completes the scan, you’ll be shown the list of all detected threats on your PC.
Once you have selected what you wish to remove from your device click Next button.
It will show a dialog box, press the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial to remove all malicious software found.
Delete EXtSearchs browser hijacker with MalwareBytes Free
Manual EXtSearchs hijacker removal requires some computer skills. Some files and registry entries that created by the hijacker can be not completely removed. We recommend that run the MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) that are fully clean your personal computer of browser hijacker. Moreover, this free application will help you to delete malicious software, potentially unwanted programs, adware and toolbars that your device can be infected too.
MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your Microsoft Windows desktop.
326460 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
After the download is complete, close all apps and windows on your computer. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s called MBSetup as displayed on the image below.
When the installation begins, you will see the Setup wizard that will help you install Malwarebytes on your device.
Once install is done, you will see window like the one below.
Now press the “Scan” button for scanning your PC system for the EXtSearchs hijacker. While the MalwareBytes AntiMalware utility is checking, you may see how many objects it has identified as being infected by malware.
After that process is finished, a list of all threats found is produced. Review the results once the tool has complete the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply click “Quarantine” button.
The Malwarebytes will now remove EXtSearchs hijacker. After the process is finished, you may be prompted to restart your computer.
The following video explains step-by-step guide on how to remove hijacker, adware and other malicious software with MalwareBytes Anti-Malware.
Run AdBlocker to stay safe online
It is also critical to protect your web-browsers from harmful webpages and advertisements by using an ad-blocking program such as AdGuard. Security experts says that it’ll greatly reduce the risk of malware, and potentially save lots of money. Additionally, the AdGuard may also protect your privacy by blocking almost all trackers.
- First, please go to the link below, then press the ‘Download’ button in order to download the latest version of AdGuard.
Adguard download
26656 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- After the downloading process is complete, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- When the installation is finished, press “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you start your PC system, AdGuard will start automatically and stop undesired advertisements, block EXtSearchs, as well as other harmful or misleading web sites. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon called AdGuard, which may be found on your desktop.
To sum up
Once you have finished the steps above, your device should be clean from the EXtSearchs hijacker and other malicious software. The Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Edge and Chrome will no longer open the searchnets.xyz webpage. Unfortunately, if the few simple steps does not help you, then you have caught a new hijacker, and then the best way – ask for help here.
