How to remove Cool baro browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is Cool baro?
Cool baro is a browser extension designed to promote barosearch.com by hijacking a web browser. Barosearch.com is a fake search engine that does not generate its own results. Typically, users download and add browser hijackers to browsers (or install them on computers) inadvertently.
Cool baro browser hijacker overview
Cool baro promotes barosearch.com by making it the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. While testing barosearch.com, we learned that it shows results generated by Bing. It redirects to bing.com via secure-checker.com (a questionable site).
Usually, browser-hijacking apps like Cool baro prevent users from removing fake search engines (their addresses) from the settings. Thus, it is required to remove browser hijackers before trying to undo their changes.
It is also important to mention that both browser hijackers and fake search engines can be designed to collect browsing data and other information. Gathered data can be misused for marketing or other purposes. A removal guide for browser hijackers is provided below.
| Name | Cool baro |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Cool baro |
| Supposed Functionality | Accurate search results |
| Promoted URL | barosearch.com |
| Detection Names (barosearch.com) | Heimdal Security (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (barosearch.com) | 172.67.154.53 |
| 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), fake Flash Player installers. |
| 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. |
Browser hijackers in general
Most browser hijackers are promoted as tools that improve the browsing experience. However, they rarely provide any features. Their main purpose is to force users to browse the Internet using fake search engines. There are many examples of browser hijackers. Some of them are Motorsports Start, EmailCheckToday, and Shiny Searches.
How did Cool baro install on my computer?
Typically, browser hijackers get downloaded from deceptive pages and added to browsers by following the instructions given by those pages. Also, browsers get hijacked via installers for other programs. In such cases, users agree to add browser hijackers when they install programs without changing "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings in installers.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download applications from official websites and stores. Do not use third-party stores and downloaders, P2P networks, questionable websites, and similar sources to download apps or files. Also, do not trust ads while visiting dubious websites or allow such pages to show notifications.
Deselect optional (unwanted) installations before completing the software installation. Always check installers for unwanted apps before installing programs. If your computer is already infected with Cool baro, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Barosearch.com redirects to bing.com via ecure-checker.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Cool baro browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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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 Cool baro?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Cool baro application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Cool baro browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove barosearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove barosearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Cool baro 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 (for example, "Cool baro"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the barosearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Cool baro browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Cool baro browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Cool baro" 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 "Cool baro", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.barosearch.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 "barosearch.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 barosearch.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 "Cool baro", 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 "Cool baro", remove hxxp://barosearch.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 barosearch.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 barosearch.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 visit barosearch.com website?
The creators of fake search engines are interested in making their sites more popular because that determines how much money they make.
Is visiting barosearch.com a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines can be designed to gather various information about their users. Depending on the collected data, it may be sold to third parties, used for marketing purposes, etc.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Most browser hijackers are promoted and distributed using social engineering tactics, such as browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, etc. It is also common for browser-hijacking apps to be included in installers for other programs.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Cool baro browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate existing browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal is not always a perfect solution. When multiple browser hijackers are added, it may be required to remove all of them at once because they may be designed to reinstall one another.
Outstanding!
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