AVG Search Redirect

What is is AVG search?

AVG Search redirect is a term used by Internet users who have installed AVG antivirus software, and thus, experience browser (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) redirects to mysearch.avg.com or isearch.avg.com These browser redirects are caused by AVG toolbar, which installs on users' computers together with AVG antivirus.

Note that users have an option to opt-out of installation of these toolbars by unchecking several options when installing the software.

Unfortunately, however, the majority of Internet users do not pay close enough attention during the installation phase, thus inadvertently install various toolbars, which modify the Internet browser settings (specifically, the homepage and default search engine).

The Mysearch.avg.com and isearch.avg.com websites use the Google and Yahoo! search engines to return legitimate Internet search results, however, they add little significant value and are used only to monetize incoming web traffic.

Note that, today, the majority of download websites and freeware developers 'bundle' their software downloads with various toolbars and free browser add-ons, and therefore, these browser add-ons are often categorized as potentially unwanted applications or adware.

Whilst AVG antivirus is a legitimate security program, Internet users should be attentive during installation in order to avoid unwanted browser redirects - ensure you opt out of installation of AVG toolbar.

AVG toolbar is categorized as being adware since it modifies browser settings and generates coupon ads (AVG Rewards). This toolbar is similar to other potentially unwanted applications such as Ask toolbar and Conduit toolbar, amongst many others.

Internet users who wish to avoid installation of these toolbars, should pay close attention when downloading and installing free software. If your download is managed by a 'download client', opt-out of installation of any promoted browser add-ons by clicking the 'decline' button.

When installing free software, choose the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options - this will reveal any bundled browser toolbars or plugins. If your Internet browser/s redirect you to mysearch.avg.com or isearch.avg.com, use the removal guide provided to eliminate AVG toolbar from your computer.

Deceptive free software installers used in mysearch.avg.com browser hijacker distribution:

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 AVG Search?
• STEP 1. Uninstall AVG SafeGuard toolbar applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove AVG Search redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove AVG Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove AVG Search homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove AVG Search redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

AVG search 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 "AVG SafeGuard toolbar", select it click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the AVG SafeGuard toolbar (which causes browser redirects to the mysearch.avg.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software. Remove all entries that this program detects to ensure your PC is clean from any possible spyware and malware infections.

AVG search redirect removal from browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click on the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "AVG SafeGuard toolbar" and "ScriptHelperApi Class", select these entries and click "Remove".

Change homepage:

To change your homepage from mysearch.avg.com to your preferred domain, click on the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove mysearch.avg.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer.

Change default search engine:

Click on the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing" or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "AVG Secure Search".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the avg safe guard toolbar, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) select "Tools" and click on "Extensions".  Locate "AVG SafeGuard", select it and click on the trash can icon.

Change homepage:

Change Google Chrome homepage from mysearch.avg.com to your preferred domain- click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) select "Settings". In the "On startup" section click "set pages", hover your mouse over "Search" and click the x symbol. Now you can add your preferred website as your homepage.

Change 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" section click "Manage Search Engines...", remove "AVG Secure Search" and add or select your preferred domain.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the avg safe guard toolbar, 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click on the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "AVG SafeGuard toolbar".

Change homepage:

To reset your homepage, click on the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) then select "Options", in the opened window remove mysearch.avg.com and enter your preferred domain.

Change 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: "mysearch.avg.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with avg safe guard toolbar 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 avg safe guard toolbar, 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on avg safe guard toolbar or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion