Our team has discovered A-search.site, a fake search engine that redirects users’ search queries. This fake search engine is being promoted through potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and browser extensions that alter the default search engine settings on Chrome browsers. Once installed, it forces hijacked browsers to use A-search.site as their default search engine.
Browser hijackers like A-search.site are commonly hidden in software bundles or deceptive ads, making it easy for them to infiltrate users’ computers. Once installed, they alter the browser settings without the user’s consent, leading to unwanted redirects and potential privacy risks.
💡 If you have encountered the A-search.site browser hijacker, it is crucial to remove it promptly to protect your computer and data. Follow the steps below to eliminate the threat and safeguard your online privacy.
Table of Contents
The A-search.site Redirect Explained 🔍🔀
Once A-search.site is installed, it becomes the default search engine for affected browsers, forcing users to use it for their searches. When a search query is entered, A-search.site redirects users on legitimate search engines like search.yahoo.com or bing.com. However, A-search.site itself does not provide any actual search results.
Why Redirect to Yahoo Search? 💰
Scammers or cybercriminals use the redirect mechanism to gain financial benefits. Each time a user is redirected to Yahoo Search via these intermediary sites, and they engage with the content or ads, it can generate revenue through ad clicks or affiliate schemes for those behind the scenes. Essentially, the cybercriminals get a cut or commission, using Yahoo Search as an unintentional accomplice.
How Does This Happen? 🌐
Criminals employ a variety of cunning techniques to manipulate your browser and redirect your searches to Yahoo Search. Here’s a closer look at some of the key methods they use:
- Replacing the Homepage: The hijacker alters your default homepage to a controlled page. Each time you launch your browser, you’re greeted by this altered page, which could further lead you to other malicious sites or generate ad revenue for the criminals.
- Malicious Extensions: Cybercriminals can introduce rogue extensions to your browser. These extensions can monitor and redirect your browsing activities, often without any visible signs, making them particularly insidious.
- Tampering with Legitimate Extensions: Sometimes, instead of adding a new extension, criminals might replace or modify a legitimate one you already trust and use. This can be harder to detect because you believe you’re using a trusted tool.
- Proxy Server or Browser Settings: By altering the settings of your system’s proxy server or browser, the hijacker can control and redirect all your internet traffic. This gives them a significant level of control over your online activities.
- Modifying System Settings: More advanced hijackers can change specific system settings of your computer. By altering DNS settings, for example, they can decide which servers your system communicates with when trying to access a website, effectively controlling your entire online experience.
- Blocking Restoration of Normal Settings: To ensure their changes aren’t easily undone, these hijackers often employ mechanisms to block or limit your ability to restore regular settings. They might disable certain settings within the browser, introduce additional software that counters any restoration attempts, or even modify system permissions to prevent changes.
The techniques used by criminals for browser hijacking are not only diverse but also constantly evolving. Their aim is to remain unnoticed for as long as possible while maximizing their control over your online activities.
How A-search.site Enters Your Computer 🚪
There are multiple ways the A-search.site hijacker can sneak onto your computer:
- Bundling: The browser hijacker can be packaged with other software, especially free or pirated versions. When users install the primary software, the hidden browser hijacker gets installed too.
- Fake Updates: Pop-ups or banners urging users to update software, especially popular ones like Flash Player, might be disguises for the hijacker.
- Malicious Attachments: Phishing emails with dubious attachments can introduce the browser hijacker when opened.
- Compromised Websites: Merely visiting a hacked or malicious website might initiate a background download of the hijacker.
Examples of Browser hijackers
Browser hijackers are a persistent and growing threat to computer security. They are often distributed through free software downloads, and once installed, they can cause a range of problems such as changing browser settings, redirecting search queries, displaying unwanted ads, and collecting personal data. A-search.site is just one example of such hijackers, and unfortunately, there are many more out there. Cn.hfg7brcw.xyz, Robustsearch.io, Trendysearches.com, and Searchmenow.gg are examples of other browser hijackers similar to the A-search.site browser hijacker that you should be aware of. By learning to recognize these threats, you can take steps to protect your computer and your privacy.
Threat Summary
| Name | A-search.site, A-search.site redirect |
| Type | Browser Hijacker |
| Primary Objective | Redirect users to Yahoo Search to generate revenue and potentially collect user data. |
| Common Symptoms | Unwanted redirects to A-search.site, Altered browser homepage, New toolbars or extensions |
| Primary Infiltration Methods | Malicious Chrome extensions, Bundling with other software, Fake updates |
| Associated Risks | Data breaches, Malware infections, Privacy invasion, Financial losses |
| Underlying Techniques | Replacing legitimate browser extensions, Altering browser or system settings, Blocking restoration of normal settings |
| Primary Target | Chrome, but can affect other browsers |
| Removal | Resetting browser settings, Scanning and removal with reputable antivirus software |
How to remove A-search.site from Windows 11 (10, 8, 7, XP) 🛠️🚀
When the A-search.site browser hijacker infiltrates your Windows computer, immediate action is essential. Such malware doesn’t just disrupt your browsing; it poses a genuine threat to your digital safety. In the subsequent steps, we’ll guide you through a clear and concise method to remove A-search.site from your Windows system. Dive in, and let’s restore your computer’s health.
To remove A-search.site, perform the steps below:
- Uninstall any suspicious programs
- Fix Windows Policies to Remove A-search.site
- Remove A-search.site from Chrome
- Scan your computer for malware
Read this section to know how to manually remove the A-search.site redirect. Even if the step-by-step guide does not work for you, there are several free removers below which can easily handle such hijackers.
Uninstall any suspicious programs
The first step is to check your computer for any suspicious programs or extensions and remove them. To do this, go to the Control Panel (on Windows) or Applications (on Mac) and uninstall any programs that you don’t recognize or that you think may be associated with the A-search.site hijacker.
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Fix Windows Policies to Remove the A-search.site hijacker
Sometimes, browser hijacker removal is hindered by certain malware-induced policies. By making changes to the Windows Registry and addressing group policies, you can overcome this obstacle. Here’s how:
- Open Windows Registry Editor:
- Press the Windows key (🪟) and “R” simultaneously. This will bring up the Run dialog box.
- Type “regedit” and hit Enter. The Windows Registry editor will now be visible.
- Navigate and Remove Malicious Registry Entries:
- Head over to “Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\”. Use this path as your guide.
- Identify and delete the folders named Chromium and Chrome which are associated with the “Managed by your organization” malware.
- Once done, exit the Windows Registry editor.
- Address Group Policy Folders:
- Hold the Windows key (🪟) and “X” together to open a quick-access menu.
- From the menu, choose Command prompt (Administrator). You’ll be presented with a command prompt window.
- Execute the Following Commands:
- Input
rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers"and hit Enter. - Next, type
rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy"and press Enter. - Lastly, enter
gpupdate /forceand press Enter. If executed correctly, you’ll be greeted with messages indicating both the Computer Policy and User Policy have been updated successfully.
- Input
- Restart Your Computer:
- After executing the above steps, it’s crucial to restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.
Remember, modifying the registry and group policies are advanced actions. Always proceed with caution and ensure you’re following the steps correctly.
Remove A-search.site from Chrome
Having successfully fixed any restrictions that might have prevented the removal of unwanted extensions, it’s now time to tackle and eliminate A-search.site from your Chrome browser.
- Access Chrome Extensions: Open your Yahoo Chrome browser. Locate the three horizontal dots at the top-right corner (the Chrome menu button) and click it to reveal a drop-down. From this list, opt for ‘More Tools’ and subsequently select ‘Extensions’. Alternatively, quickly navigate by typing
chrome://extensionsinto Chrome’s address bar. - Inspect and Remove: Examine the list of installed extensions. Identify any unfamiliar or suspicious ones, or those you simply don’t need anymore. Click the “Remove” button beneath these extensions. A confirmation pop-up will appear; press “Remove” again.
- Reset Your Browser: To ensure no traces remain, consider resetting your browser settings. This action disables all extensions, clears cookies, and undoes unwanted changes but preserves your bookmarks and saved passwords. To do this:
- Revisit the Chrome main menu.
- Choose “Settings”.
- Find and select “Reset settings”.
- Click on “Restore settings to their original defaults”.
- Confirm by selecting the “Reset settings” button.
Note: If an unwanted extension remains despite these steps, consider using a trustworthy antivirus tool to scan your computer for any related malware or threats.
Scan your computer for malware
After you’ve tried to remove A-search.site and reset your browser, there might still be hidden problems. Some bad files can stay hidden or look like normal ones. It’s always a good idea to do a full computer scan to catch these. This way, you can be sure everything harmful is gone. Let’s make sure your computer is clean and safe!
To fully ensure your computer’s safety, consider using MalwareBytes to automatically remove the A-search.site browser hijacker. MalwareBytes is a trusted anti-malware tool with a strong track record. It’s been widely recognized for its efficiency in detecting and eliminating a broad range of threats, from sneaky browser extensions to more aggressive forms of malware. By employing advanced scanning techniques, MalwareBytes digs deep into your system, ensuring no malicious elements go unnoticed. Simply download, install, and run a full scan with MalwareBytes to clear out any lingering threats related to the A-search.site or other potential risks.
- Download Malwarebytes by clicking on the link below. Save it on your Windows desktop.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware
326469 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, scan your computer. Run a full scan of your computer to detect and remove any browser hijackers and other forms of malware. The scan may take several minutes to complete, depending on the size of your hard drive and the speed of your computer.
- Remove detected threats. If the scan finds any threats, click Quarantine to remove them. The software will automatically remove the browser hijacker and any associated malware. After the removal process is complete, restart your computer to ensure that any changes made by the hijacker are fully removed.
The following video demonstrates how to remove hijackers, adware and other malware with MalwareBytes.
What to Do After Removing the hijacker 🤔✅
After successfully removing the A-search.site hijacker from your computer, it is important to take some additional steps to ensure that your computer and personal information remain secure. Here are some recommended actions to take:
- It’s important to change your browser settings back to your preferred search engine and homepage. Make sure that A-search.site is completely removed from your browser’s settings and that it cannot reappear.
- If you entered any sensitive information such as login credentials or passwords while the browser hijacker was active, change them immediately. This will prevent any potential identity theft or unauthorized access to your accounts.
- To remove any traces of the browser hijacker, clear your browser history and cache. This will help ensure that any data or information collected by the hijacker is removed from your system.
- Use a reputable anti-malware program like Malwarebytes to scan your computer for any remaining malware or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). This can help ensure that there are no hidden threats or malicious files on your computer.
- Make sure that your browser and operating system are up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates. This can help prevent future security issues and keep your system protected.
- To avoid getting infected with similar malware in the future, be cautious of downloads and only download from reputable sources. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
Conclusion 📝👋
The A-search.site browser hijacker mainly comes from Chrome extensions and PUPs. These bad extensions look like normal or useful tools, but they actually cause unwanted changes in your browser. When you install them, they can change where your searches go, often sending you to Yahoo Search instead of your chosen search site. It’s important to be careful about what extensions you add to your browser and where you download them from. Checking and cleaning your browser’s extensions regularly can help keep your online experience safe and normal.
Remember, removing the A-search.site hijacker is just the first step. It’s important to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting yourself from similar threats that may emerge in the future. Stay informed, stay cautious, and enjoy a safer browsing experience!
