How to eliminate elitesearchhub.com from web browsers

What is elitesearchhub.com?

We have discovered that elitesearchhub.com is a fraudulent search engine. It is promoted via the Elite Search browser extension, which hijacks browsers by modifying settings. Visiting the site may redirect users to unsafe websites. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid both the site and the extension.

Elitesearchhub and Elite Search browser hijacker overview

Our analysis shows that elitesearchhub.com does not provide actual search results. Instead, it redirects queries to other sites, occasionally legitimate ones, such as search.yahoo.com. However, elitesearchhub.com can be used to promote scam websites designed to steal personal or financial information, or pages hosting unwanted and even malicious applications.

The Elite Search extension, which is responsible for promoting elitesearchhub.com, hijacks browsers by modifying some of their settings, including the homepage, new tab page, and default search engine. It may prevent users from restoring these settings, making the removal of elitesearchhub.com impossible without eliminating the extension first.

It is important to note that Elite Search may be designed to collect information related to browsing activity, such as the websites users visit and the searches they perform. It may also collect other personal data, such as IP addresses or location, and potentially track interactions with ads.

This data may be used for targeted advertising, sold to third parties, or monetized in other ways. Overall, Elite Search and elitesearchhub.com pose a privacy risk to users. It is important to remove them from affected browsers as soon as possible. If manual removal is not possible (or too difficult), we recommend using a tool like Combo Cleaner.

Conclusion

Elitesearchhub.com is a fake search engine that redirects queries and can lead to scam or malicious websites. The Elite Search extension hijacks browsers to promote elitesearchhub.com and may collect personal and browsing data. Users of hijacked browsers should remove both the extension and the site immediately.

Some examples of other fake search engines are browsingsafety.net, searchsafelypro.net, and search.safelysearch.net.

How did Elite Search install on my computer?

Browser hijackers and other unwanted programs are commonly included with free or suspicious software. If users do not customize installation settings (change options like "Advanced" or "Custom"), they may unintentionally add or install these extra components. This distribution technique is called bundling.

Browser hijackers can also spread through unofficial websites or app stores, third-party downloaders, deceptive ads and pop-ups, peer-to-peer networks, and similar channels. In most cases, users do not add or install them intentionally.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Close websites that appear suspicious and do not interact with their links, pop-ups, or advertisements. Also, never accept notifications from questionable sites. Keep your operating system and installed applications up to date. Perform regular scans using reliable antivirus or anti-malware tools.

When installing software, use only official sources or reputable app stores and review each installation step carefully to prevent unwanted programs or browser extensions from being installed (or added). If your computer is already infected with Elite Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Elitesearchhub.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):

Permissions asked by Elite Search browser hijacker:

Website promoting Elite Search 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:

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.

Quick menu:

• What is elitesearchhub.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Elite Search application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Elite Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove elitesearchhub.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove elitesearchhub.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Elite 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the elitesearchhub.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Elite 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 "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Elite 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 "Elite Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.elitesearchhub.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 "elitesearchhub.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 elite search browser hijacker, 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 "Elite 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 "Elite Search", remove hxxp://elitesearchhub.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 elite search browser hijacker 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 elite search browser hijacker, 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 elitesearchhub.com website?

Forcing traffic to elitesearchhub.com is intended to increase profits through monetization methods tied to higher visitor numbers.

Is visiting elitesearchhub.com a threat to my privacy?

Elitesearchhub.com can present privacy risks by collecting user information and sending users to unsafe or malicious sites.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are typically spread through free or suspicious software. Users usually install or add them unintentionally by accepting default installation settings. Also, browser hijackers can be downloaded via sources like unofficial websites or app stores, misleading ads, and third-party downloaders.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Elite Search browser hijacker?

Combo Cleaner can detect and remove browser hijackers. If more than one hijacker is present, they may try to reinstall each other, so all of them must be removed at the same time to ensure complete cleanup.