How to remove Search-UIX browser hijacker and the redirects it generates

What kind of software is Search-UIX?

Search-UIX is a rogue browser extension that operates as a browser hijacker. Software within this classification modifies browser settings to promote (via redirects) fake search engines.

While there is an illegitimate Internet search website that shares this extension's name – searchuix.com – this was not the engine endorsed by Search-UIX when we analyzed it. At the time of research, this browser hijacker generated redirects to thesearchfeeds.com site.

Search-UIX browser hijacker overview

On our test machine, Search-UIX assigned thesearchfeeds.com as the browser's homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URL. Therefore, whenever we searched the Web via the URL bar or opened a new browser tab/window – it resulted in redirects to thesearchfeeds.com website.

As mentioned in the introduction, there is a fake search engine under the same name as Search-UIX – searchuix.com. It is not unlikely that this browser extension may generate redirects to the searchuix.com page.

Illegitimate search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they lead to genuine Internet search websites. Thesearchfeeds.com redirects to Google (google.com). Keep in mind that it could land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation may determine redirects.

Browser-hijacking software commonly utilizes persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as restricting access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to complicate its removal.

Furthermore, software within this classification usually has data-tracking functionalities, and this might apply to Search-UIX. Targeted information may include: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The collected information can then be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

In summary, the presence of software like Search-UIX on devices may result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Search-UIX
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Search-UIX
Promoted URL	thesearchfeeds.com, searchuix.com
Detection Names (thesearchfeeds.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (thesearchfeeds.com)	198.187.29.237
Detection Names (searchuix.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (searchuix.com)	154.62.106.211
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling).
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Browser hijacker examples

We have examined thousands of browser hijackers; Travel Tab, To Do Search, Zen Searcher – are merely a couple of examples. Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and offers a wide variety of handy features. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.

It must be mentioned that even if a piece of software operates as promised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Search-UIX install on my computer?

Browser hijackers commonly have "official" promotional pages, and they are pushed through scam websites. Most visitors access these webpages via redirects generated by sites using rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, intrusive adverts, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

"Bundling" – packing ordinary program installation setups with unwanted/malicious additions – is also used to proliferate browser-hijacking software.

The risk of allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., skipping steps, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Intrusive ads spread browser hijackers as well. When clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

It is important to always research software before downloading or purchasing it. We recommend downloading only from official and trustworthy sources. When installing, it is essential to read terms, explore possible options, and use the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt out of all supplements (e.g., apps, extensions, features, tools, etc.).

We also recommend being vigilant while browsing since fraudulent and dangerous online content usually appears genuine and innocuous. For example, while intrusive adverts may look harmless – they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, gambling, adult dating, etc.).

If you keep encountering such ads/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Search-UIX, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by Search-UIX browser hijacker:

Appearance of the searchuix.com website:

Appearance of thesearchfeeds.com redirecting to the Google search engine (GIF):

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▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is Search-UIX?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Search-UIX browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove thesearchfeeds.com/searchuix.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove rogue redirects from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Search-UIX browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Search-UIX browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Search-UIX" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Search-UIX", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.thesearchfeeds.com or hxxp://www.searchuix.com) below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "thesearchfeeds.com" (or "searchuix.com"), when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the thesearchfeeds.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Search-UIX", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Search-UIX", remove hxxp://thesearchfeeds.com or hxxp://searchuix.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with thesearchfeeds.com redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the thesearchfeeds.com redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit thesearchfeeds.com or other websites?

Redirects to sites like thesearchfeeds.com and searchuix.com are generated because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) profit through them.

Is visiting thesearchfeeds.com (or searchuix.com) a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like thesearchfeeds.com and searchuix.com usually gather (and sell) information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most widely used distribution techniques include: deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installers, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Search-UIX browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be an ideal solution, particularly when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these instances, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with browser-hijacking software installed. Therefore, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.

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