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Removal instructions for software preventing you from using Google.com

Also Known As: Google.com browser hijacker
Damage level: Moderate

What is the google.com redirect?

Google.com, developed by the Google LLC multinational technology company, is the most popular search engine in the world. "Google redirect" can refer to two types of undesirable phenomena.

First, when Google had been the default search engine but no longer is, and users experience a redirect to a different site when they try to use it.

The second is an unwanted redirect to Google when the default search engine was not it. Additionally, users can experience so-called "drive-by" redirects when a browser hijacker redirects to a suspicious site which, in turn, redirects users to Google as a disguise.

Such redirects to various search engines are caused by software classified as browser hijackers. They modify browser settings to promote (mostly fake) Web searching tools. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software spies on users' browsing activity.

google.com

Browser-hijacking software overview

If you open your browser's homepage, new tab/window, or type a search query into the URL bar - and instead of accessing your default search engine (e.g., google.com), get redirected elsewhere - this can be caused by a browser hijacker.

Browser-hijacking software is designed to promote certain search engines by assigning them as browsers' default, as well as their homepage and new tab/window URLs. Hence, when users open the previously mentioned windows or attempt to search the Web via the URL bar - they experience an unexpected redirect.

This software typically promotes fake search engines, and since they are rarely capable of providing search results - they redirect to legitimate ones (e.g., Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.).

Therefore, if the promoted illegitimate search engine redirects to google.com (and it is the user's preferred search engine) - it may be difficult to notice and appear innocuous. However, fake search engines tend to collect (and sell) information about their visitors.

It must be emphasized that the legitimate search engines that browser hijackers redirect to (e.g., Google) are not associated with this untrustworthy software.

Changing the settings modified by browser hijackers can be complicated, as this software often uses persistence-ensuring techniques (e.g., "Managed by your organization" Google Chrome feature, etc.) to prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Furthermore, browser-hijacking software usually has data tracking abilities. Targeted information can include: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, financial/banking data, and so on. The collected information can be monetized by being shared with or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of browser hijackers on browsers/systems can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:
Name Google.com browser hijacker
Threat Type Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Supposed Functionality Browser hijackers promise enhanced search results, faster searches, improved web browsing experience, etc.
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.
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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.

Browser hijacker examples

We have analyzed thousands of browser hijackers; SwiftSearchTo Go WebKeep Secure SearchCool Search, and Tap togo are merely some examples. This software appears legitimate and offers "handy" features, which are rarely operational.

Browser hijackers alter browser settings to promote fake search engines, which typically redirect to genuine ones. Fraudulent search engines also tend to appear ordinary and harmless; nearbyme[.]iostar-search[.]xyz, websearches[.]club, searchtoolshub[.]com - are just a couple examples of such websites.

How did a browser hijacker install on my computer?

Browser hijackers are distributed using the "bundling" marketing method - packing regular program installation setups with unwanted/malicious additions. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., skipped steps, used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Intrusive advertisements are also used to proliferate browser-hijacking software. When clicked on, some of these ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent.

Additionally, browser hijackers are pushed through "official" promotional webpages and scam sites. Most users enter these websites via redirects caused by mistyped URLs, pages using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly advise researching software and only downloading from official/verified channels. Additionally, installation processes must be approached with caution, e.g., by reading terms, inspecting possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all supplements.

We also recommend being vigilant when browsing since fraudulent and malicious content typically looks innocuous. For example, intrusive adverts appear legitimate/harmless yet redirect to questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).

In case of encounters with such advertisements and/or redirects, check the system and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Example of a rogue installer used to distribute browser hijackers:

Example of a rogue installer promoting browser hijackers

Appearance of a browser hijacker redirecting to a fake search engine (GIF):

Browser hijacker redirecting the user to a deceptive search engine (GIF)

Update January 18, 2023 - At this current moment usage of malicious Google Chrome extensions is the most popular method to cause unwanted redirects. Cyber criminals employ deceptive social engineering techniques in order to trick users into installation. By presenting them as browser updates or various useful tools crooks create the impression of legitimacy and thus gullible users often end up unwillingly installing malicious extensions by themselves. Here are the screenshots of the latest and most popular Chrome extensions (fake Chrome extension, fake Google Docs extension, fake Google Translate extension, Clean Notifications and Landscape Scroller) that cause unwanted redirects to google.com:

Malicious Google Chrome extension causing unwanted redirects to google.com (fake Chrome extension) Malicious Google Chrome extension causing unwanted redirects to google.com (fake Google Docs) Malicious Google Chrome extension causing unwanted redirects to google.com (fake Google Translate) Malicious Google Chrome extension causing unwanted redirects to google.com (Clean Notifications) Malicious Google Chrome extension causing unwanted redirects to google.com (Landscape Scroller)

Examples of fake/deceptive pop-up messages promoting such malicious browser extension:

Deceptive page promoting browser hijackers that redirect users to google.com (sample 1) Deceptive page promoting browser hijackers that redirect users to google.com (sample 2) Deceptive page promoting browser hijackers that redirect users to google.com (sample 3) Deceptive page promoting browser hijackers that redirect users to google.com (sample 4) Deceptive page promoting browser hijackers that redirect users to google.com (sample 5)

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:

Browser hijacker redirect removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

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:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

browser hijacker uninstall via Control Panel

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

Browser hijacker redirect removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing malicious Google Chrome extensions

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Removing fake search engine from Google Chrome homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL 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:

Removing fake search engine from Google Chrome default search engine

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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 the browser hijacker URL, when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the google.com browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing malicious Mozilla Firefox extensions

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove all recently installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

Removing fake search engine from Mozilla Firefox homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window remove browser hijacker URL and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

Removing fake search engine from Mozilla Firefox default search engine

In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the Mozilla Firefox switch about:config entry button button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with google.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, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

removing browser hijacker from safari step 2 - removing extensions

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 3 - changing homepage

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.

removing browser hijackers from safari step 4 - changing the default Internet search engine

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...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 2

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 3

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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 Microsoft Edge (Chromium) puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the google.com browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of browser hijackers while downloading free software sampleA 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on google.com browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why am I unable to use google.com?

If Google was your default search engine, but you experience redirects to a different website whenever you enter a search query into the URL bar, open a new tab/window or the homepage on your browser - that is most likely caused by a browser hijacker. Software within this classification modifies browsers to promote (mainly fake) search engines and generate revenue by collecting private data.

Why am I seeing a different URL when trying to use google.com?

This is likely a "drive-by" redirect caused by a browser hijacker that first redirects to a suspicious site, which then redirects to Google. Browser-hijacking software primarily promotes fake search engines that lead to genuine ones (e.g., google.com) due to their inability to generate search results.

Why am I forced to use google.com?

As mentioned in the previous answer, browser-hijacking software promotes fake search engines that tend to redirect to legitimate ones (e.g., google.com). Fraudulent search engines typically collect (and sell) information about their visitors, but since they are unable to provide search results - they redirect to genuine ones as a disguise.

Is being forced to visit google.com or a different website a threat to my privacy?

Privacy issues when visiting google.com are not a primary concern. Browser hijackers that cause redirects to various search engines are known to collect users' data. Data-tracking behavior is also typical of fake search engines that are often part of the redirection chains caused by hijacker software. Furthermore, the gathered information can be particularly sensitive. Therefore, the threat does not originate from visiting google.com but rather from the software forcing users to do so.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are distributed via software bundling, misleading promotional webpages, unofficial and freeware download sites, deceptive browser notifications/ intrusive advertisements, online scams, fake updaters/installers, and so on.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. However, it must be noted that manual removal might not be a perfect solution when multiple browser hijackers are present. In such cases, it is possible for browser hijackers to re-install one another if they are not all eliminated at the same time. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be inaccessible while this software is on the system. Therefore, it is crucial to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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