What is Cool Search?
The computer security specialists have determined that Cool Search is a PUP (potentially unwanted program) that belongs to the family of browser hijackers. Browser hijacker is a kind of software designed to change the web browser settings without the knowledge or permission of the computer user, and it usually redirects the affected system’s internet browser to some advertisement-related web sites. A browser hijacker modifies the default web-browser search provider or startpage, initiates numerous popups, installs multiple toolbars on the internet browser, redirects user web searches to its own web-page and generates multiple pop-up ads. If your browser is affected by a browser hijacker you may need to complete manual steps or use a malware removal tool to revert changes made to your browsers.
The Cool Search browser hijacker will modify your internet browser’s search provider so that all searches are sent through cool-search.com that redirects to Google Search engine that shows the search results for your query. The devs behind this hijacker are utilizing legitimate search provider as they can make revenue from the ads that are displayed in the search results.
As well as unwanted web browser redirects to cool-search.com, the Cool Search hijacker can collect your Internet surfing activity by saving IP addresses, web browser version and type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), cookie information, webpages visited and URLs visited. Such kind of behavior can lead to serious security problems or privacy info theft. This is another reason why the browser hijacker should be removed as quickly as possible.
We advise you remove Cool Search from Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and MS Edge as quickly as possible. This will also prevent the browser hijacker from tracking your online activities. A full Cool Search removal can be easily carried out using manual or automatic method listed below.
How can a browser hijacker get on your computer
Browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs actively distributed with free programs, as a part of the installer of these programs. Therefore, it’s very important, when installing a new software even downloaded from well-known download website, read the Terms of use and the Software license, as well as to select the Manual, Advanced or Custom installation option. In this mode, you can disable the installation of unneeded modules and applications and protect your personal computer from such browser hijackers as the Cool Search.
Threat Summary
Name | Cool Search |
Type | browser hijacker, home page hijacker, PUP, search provider hijacker, redirect virus |
Related domains | cool-search.com |
Affected Browser Settings | home page, newtab page URL, search provider |
Distribution | dubious popup ads, freeware installers, fake update tools |
Symptoms | Popups and newtabs are loaded without your request. Your browser is redirected to web pages you did not want. Your computer starts automatically installing unexpected programs. An unexpected web-browser toolbar appears in your web-browser. Your browser home page has changed without your permission. |
Removal | Cool Search removal guide |
How to remove Cool Search from Windows 11 (10, 8, 7, XP)
Cool Search is a hijacker that you might have difficulty in uninstalling it from your PC. Thankfully, you’ve found the effective removal guide in this post. Both the manual removal way and the automatic removal way will be provided below and you can just select the one that best for you. If you’ve any questions or need help then type a comment below. Some of the steps will require you to restart your device or exit this web page. So, read this tutorial carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.
To remove Cool Search, perform the steps below:
- How to manually get rid of Cool Search
- Automatic Removal of Cool Search
- How to stop Cool Search redirect
How to manually get rid of Cool Search
Read this section to know how to manually remove the Cool Search hijacker. Even if the step-by-step guide does not work for you, there are several free malicious software removers below which can easily handle such hijackers.
Uninstall Cool Search associated software by using Windows Control Panel
You can manually get rid of nonaggressive hijacker by removing the program that it came with or removing the browser hijacker itself using ‘Add/Remove programs’ or ‘Uninstall a program’ option in Microsoft Windows Control Panel.
Windows 7 | Windows 8 |
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Windows 10 | Mac OS |
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Remove Cool Search hijacker from web-browsers
If you are still seeing Cool Search hijacker that won’t go away, you might have malicious addons installed on your web browser. Check your web browser for unwanted add-ons using the steps below.
Google Chrome | Mozilla Firefox |
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You can also try to remove Cool Search hijacker by reset Chrome settings. |
If you are still experiencing issues with Cool Search browser hijacker removal, you need to reset Mozilla Firefox browser. |
Internet Explorer | Safari |
Another method to get rid of Cool Search hijacker from Internet Explorer is reset Internet Explorer settings. |
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Automatic Removal of Cool Search
The manual tutorial above is tedious to follow and can not always help to remove Cool Search hijacker easily. Here I am telling you an automatic solution to get rid of this browser hijacker from your browser completely. Zemana, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware and Hitman Pro are anti-malware tools that can detect and uninstall all kinds of malware including browser hijackers.
How to remove Cool Search with MalwareBytes Anti-Malware
You can get rid of Cool Search hijacker automatically through the use of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware. We suggest this free malicious software removal utility because it can easily delete hijacker, adware software, potentially unwanted programs and toolbars with all their components such as files, folders and registry entries.
- Download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware by clicking on the link below. Save it on your Windows desktop.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware
326310 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
- Once the download is done, close all applications and windows on your personal computer. Open a folder in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named MBsetup.
- Choose “Personal computer” option and press Install button. Follow the prompts.
- Once installation is finished, press the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the Cool Search hijacker. A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your computer and the speed of your PC. While the MalwareBytes AntiMalware utility is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified as being infected by malicious software.
- When MalwareBytes is finished scanning your personal computer, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will produce a list of unwanted software and hijacker. Review the report and then press “Quarantine”. After the process is done, you can be prompted to reboot your computer.
The following video offers a tutorial on how to remove hijackers, adware software and other malicious software with MalwareBytes.
How to delete Cool Search with Zemana
Zemana Anti-Malware highly recommended, because it can find security threats such hijacker and adware which most ‘classic’ antivirus apps fail to pick up on. Moreover, if you have any Cool Search hijacker removal problems which cannot be fixed by this utility automatically, then Zemana provides 24X7 online assistance from the highly experienced support staff.
Now you can install and use Zemana AntiMalware to get rid of Cool Search hijacker from your internet browser by following the steps below:
Visit the following page to download Zemana setup file called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup on your computer. Save it on your Windows desktop or in any other place.
163972 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
Start the installation package after it has been downloaded successfully and then follow the prompts to set up this tool on your computer.
During installation you can change some settings, but we suggest you do not make any changes to default settings.
When setup is complete, this malicious software removal tool will automatically start and update itself. You will see its main window as displayed in the following example.
Now click the “Scan” button for scanning your computer for the Cool Search hijacker. While the Zemana AntiMalware is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified either as being malware.
Once Zemana AntiMalware has completed scanning your PC, it will open the Scan Results. Next, you need to click “Next” button.
The Zemana AntiMalware will start to remove Cool Search hijacker. After that process is complete, you can be prompted to restart your computer to make the change take effect.
Remove Cool Search hijacker and malicious extensions with Hitman Pro
Hitman Pro is one of the most useful tools for deleting hijackers, adware software, potentially unwanted programs and other malware. It can scan for hidden malware in your device and delete all malicious folders and files linked to hijacker. Hitman Pro will allow you to get rid of Cool Search from your personal computer and Firefox, Chrome, IE and Edge. We strongly advise you to download this utility as the creators are working hard to make it better.
Installing the Hitman Pro is simple. First you’ll need to download Hitman Pro by clicking on the link below.
Download and use Hitman Pro on your computer. Once started, press “Next” button for scanning your personal computer for the Cool Search hijacker. Depending on your computer, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the Hitman Pro is scanning, you can see count of objects it has identified either as being malware..
When HitmanPro has completed scanning your computer, HitmanPro will show a list of all threats found by the scan.
You may remove threats (move to Quarantine) by simply press Next button.
It will display a prompt, press the “Activate free license” button to start the free 30 days trial to remove all malware found.
How to stop Cool Search redirect
We suggest to install an adblocker program which can block cool-search.com and other unwanted web-sites. The ad blocker utility such as AdGuard is a program which basically removes advertising from the Internet and stops access to malicious websites. Moreover, security experts says that using ad-blocking apps is necessary to stay safe when surfing the World Wide Web.
Visit the page linked below to download the latest version of AdGuard for MS Windows. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
26613 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
After downloading it, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen as shown on the image below.
Follow the prompts. After the installation is finished, you will see a window as displayed in the following example.
You can click “Skip” to close the setup program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” button 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 computer, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop unwanted ads, block cool-search.com, as well as other malicious or misleading websites. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, which can be found on your desktop.
Finish words
Once you have removed the hijacker using the few simple steps, MS Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer will no longer show the Cool Search web page on startup. 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.
Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. Try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the Cool Search hijacker.