How to remove Planty-Search browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Planty-Search?
After downloading and adding the Planty-Search browser extension, we noticed that it changes some settings. It hijacks a web browser to promote planty-search.com - a fake search engine. Also, it can read and change bookmarks. Our team discovered Planty-Search on a deceptive website.
Planty-Search browser hijacker overview
Planty-Search promotes planty-search.com by making it the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. When we tried using planty-search.com the page was down. Usually, fake search engines show results generated by questionable or legitimate search engines (like Google, Yahoo, etc.). Also, they can generate misleading results by showing links to shady pages.
Most browser hijackers prevent users from undoing their changes. This means it may be impossible to remove planty-search.com from the settings of a hijacked browser while Planty-Search is added to it. Our removal guide is provided below.
Another reason to remove Planty-Search is that it may be designed to gather various data. Browser hijackers can read browsing data and sometimes even personal information that can be misused for malicious purposes. Thus, having browser hijacking apps added to browsers can cause problems related to online privacy and other issues.
| Name | Planty-Search |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Browser Extension(s) | Planty-Search |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | planty-search.com |
| Serving IP Address (planty-search.com) | 104.21.71.206 |
| 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. |
More about browser hijackers
Usually, browser hijackers are promoted using deceptive methods. Thus, users add them to browsers unintentionally. Browser hijackers can come in the form of toolbars. Also, they can be designed to bombard users with ads and redirect them to various websites.
More examples of browser hijackers are Interesting Facts, Smilebox Tab, and Secure Search Pro.
How did Planty-Search install on my computer?
We discovered Planty-Search on a deceptive website saying that adding this extension to a browser may be required. That page does not specify why visitors should add this app or what it does. Planty-Search gets added after completing the provided steps.
It is also common for browser hijackers to be bundled with other software. Users add or install browser hijackers with other software when they do not deselect optional installations. Usually, it can be done by changing "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings or unticking checkboxes in installers.
Sometimes, unexpected installations are caused by clicking untrustworthy advertisements or using fake installers (or updaters).
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download applications from trustworthy websites and verified stores. Do not download them from unofficial sites, third-party stores, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, and similar sources. Also, do not trust advertisements on questionable pages or agree to receive notifications from such websites.
Always check downloaders and installers for unwanted apps before downloading or installing programs. Use the provided settings to deselect unwanted apps. If your computer is already infected with Planty-Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of the planty-search.com fake search engine (GIF):
Permissions asked by Planty-Search browser hijacker:
Website promoting Planty-Search browser hijacker:
Deceptive website promoting Planty-Search:
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:
▼ 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 Planty-Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Planty-Search application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Planty-Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove planty-search.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove planty-search.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Planty-Search 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, "Planty-Search"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the planty-search.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Planty-Search 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 "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Planty-Search" 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 "Planty-Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.planty-search.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 "planty-search.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 planty-search.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 "Planty-Search", 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 "Planty-Search", remove hxxp://planty-search.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 planty-search.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 planty-search.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 planty-search.com website?
The creators of this fake search engine make more money when more users browse the Internet with planty-search.com.
Is visiting planty-search.com a threat to my privacy?
Using/visiting fake search engines can cause problems related to online privacy and browsing safety.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Most browser-hijacking apps are promoted and (or) distributed via deceptive websites, notifications from shady pages, dubious advertisements, and software bundles (installers for various programs).
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Planty-Search browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will remove all browser-hijacking applications. If there is more than one app of this type installed, removing all of them at once may be required to prevent them from reinstalling one another. Since it can be difficult to achieve it manually, we recommend using Combo Cleaner for removal.
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