How to remove timesearches.com from web browsers

What is timesearches.com?

Our research shows that timesearches.com is a fake search engine. It is distributed through the Time Search browser extension, which is a browser hijacker. Typically, browser hijacking involves changing browser settings. Using timesearches.com can lead to redirects to potentially harmful pages, so both the website and Time Search should be avoided.

Timesearches.com and Time Search browser hijacker overview

Our investigation found that timesearches.com does not function as a legitimate search engine. Rather than generating its own results, it forwards user searches to websites, sometimes to legitimate services like search.yahoo.com. Despite this, timesearches.com may also be used to direct users to scam pages and other unreliable sites.

Timesearches.com can lead users to websites created to trick visitors into downloading unwanted apps, infecting computers, revealing sensitive information (e.g., passwords or credit card details), or transferring money to scammers. Thus, it is not recommended to visit websites like timesearches.com.

The Time Search browser extension promotes timesearches.com by modifying the settings of a hijacked website, including the homepage, new tab page, and default search provider. It can block users from changing these settings back, meaning timesearches.com may not be removed unless the extension itself is removed first.

It should be noted that Time Search may be used by its developers to gather data about users' browsing habits, including visited websites and search queries. It could also collect additional personal information, such as IP addresses or location details. These details may be misused, which could cause privacy issues.

Generally, Time Search and timesearches.com present a risk to user privacy and should be removed from impacted browsers. If removing them manually is difficult or not possible, using a security tool such as Combo Cleaner is recommended.

Conclusion

Timesearches.com and Time Search are unsafe and do not work as legitimate search tools. They can expose users to scams, unwanted software, and privacy risks. For these reasons, they should be removed as soon as possible. Additional examples of fake search engines are elitesearchhub.com, safesearchessurf.com, and safepixsearch.com.

How did Time Search install on my computer?

It is common for browser hijackers to be spread through free or questionable software installers. When users rush through the setup process without reviewing or adjusting installation options (such as selecting "Advanced" or "Custom" settings), they may unknowingly allow additional programs or extensions to be installed or added.

Browser hijackers may also be distributed through unofficial websites or app stores, third-party downloades, untrustworthy ads and pop-ups, peer-to-peer networks, and similar sources.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Download programs from trustworthy sources, such as official websites or app stores, and carefully review each step during installation to ensure that unwanted software or browser extensions are not selected. Avoid engaging with suspicious websites by closing them immediately and ignoring any links, ads, or pop-ups they display.

Do not allow notifications from untrusted pages, keep your operating system and software up to date, and run regular scans with trusted security tools. If your computer is already infected with Time Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

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

Permissions asked by Time Search browser hijacker:

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

Time 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 timesearches.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Time 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 "Time 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 "Time Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.timesearches.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 "timesearches.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 time 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 "Time 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 "Time Search", remove hxxp://timesearches.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 time 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 time 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 timesearches.com website?

Sending users to timesearches.com is designed to raise earnings by inflating site visits.

Is visiting timesearches.com a threat to my privacy?

Yes, redirecting users while collecting personal data makes timesearches.com potentially unsafe.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are commonly spread through free or untrustworthy software installers when users skip custom setup options, as well as through unofficial websites, third-party downloads, misleading ads, pop-ups, and peer-to-peer networks.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Time Search browser hijacker?

Combo Cleaner detects browser hijackers, but when more than one is present, they can restore each other. Removing all of them simultaneously is required to fully clean the system.