How to get rid of the search-crown.com browser hijacker

What kind of website is search-crown.com?

During a routine investigation, our researchers discovered search-crown.com - a fake search engine that is promoted through various browser hijackers and unwanted browser extensions.

Users whose browsers are affected by this type of software are redirected to search-crown.com without their consent. Since neither the site nor the software promoting it offer any real value, we recommend removing any related hijackers or extensions right away.

Search-crown.com in detail

Browser-hijacking software typically reassigns a browser's default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to a promoted address. Once such software is installed, users are sent to search-crown.com whenever they perform a search or open a new browser tab.

search-crown.com is a fake search engine - it cannot produce search results on its own. Where it redirects depends on factors such as the user's geolocation.

In some cases, searches done through search-crown.com are forwarded directly to bing.com. In others, it routes users through myhoroscopepro.com - another fake search engine - before landing on Yahoo.

Browser hijackers often use persistence mechanisms that make them difficult to remove. These can prevent users from accessing removal-related settings or reverse changes that users attempt to make.

The software promoting search-crown.com likely tracks user data. This may include visited URLs, search queries, browser cookies, IP addresses, and other browsing-related information. Such data can be sold to third parties and may end up in the wrong hands.

In summary, browser-hijacking software can lead to system infections, serious privacy violations, financial losses, and identity theft. Any related extensions or applications should be removed immediately.

Fake search engine examples

More examples of questionable search engines promoted by browser hijackers are gadgetech.info, searchscr.com, and dinosrchius.com.

Typically, these websites and the software promoting them appear ordinary and legitimate. They may advertise useful features, but those features rarely work as promised.

How do browser hijackers spread?

Browser-hijacking extensions and applications are commonly spread through bundling - a practice where additional software is packed into the installers of other, seemingly legitimate programs. Installers of this kind can be found on freeware sites, free file-hosting platforms, and peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. Rushing through setup without reviewing the options makes it far easier to end up with unwanted additions.

Browser hijackers also spread through deceptive promotional pages and online scam sites. They can be accessed via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or mistyped URLs.

Some intrusive ads can trigger downloads or installations automatically when clicked. A user can end up with a browser hijacker without ever knowingly agreeing to install anything.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software before downloading it, and using only official and verified sources. During installation, always read the terms carefully, choose "Custom" or "Advanced" setup where available, and opt out of any extra apps, extensions, or features.

It is also important to stay cautious while browsing. Intrusive ads often look harmless but can lead users to shady sites, including gambling platforms and fake giveaway pages. Never allow notifications from sites that seem suspicious.

If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate all detected threats, including any browser hijackers promoting search-crown.com.

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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Quick menu:

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

search-crown.com redirect 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-crown.com redirect 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 all 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 the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search-crown.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 "search-crown.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 search-crown.com 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 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 malicious extension (if present), remove hxxp://search-crown.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 search-crown.com 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.

If you continue having problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

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 search-crown.com 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 to visit websites like search-crown.com?

The operators of search-crown.com profit from forced visits. Increased traffic allows them to generate revenue through ads, partner redirects, and other monetization methods tied to the sites users are funneled toward.

Is visiting search-crown.com a threat to my privacy?

search-crown.com may gather visitor data such as searched queries and browsing history, which can then be passed to or sold to third parties. Visiting the site also exposes users to potentially harmful redirects and scam content.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser-hijacking software spreads through bundled installers, deceptive promotional pages, online scams, freeware websites, peer-to-peer networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of detecting and removing browser hijackers. Manual removal alone may not be sufficient, especially if multiple hijackers are present - they can reinstall each other. Combo Cleaner eliminates all detected threats at once.