AnySearchPro browser hijacker removal instructions

AnySearchPro – What is it?

“AnySearchPro” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is spread as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that helps to browse some specific details, for instance, about sporting activity events, make your browser a lot more safe, enable downloading of any type of web video, et cetera.

Nevertheless, the “AnySearchPro” plugin is quite useless since all such functions are currently built-in to your browser and/or Windows. Such marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. But frequently even qualified users are getting caught on such an attraction. In specific situations, this hijacker is distributed together with free programs.

AnySearchPro Search Hijacker

How harmful is AnySearchPro hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, AnySearchPro hijacker is likewise quite harmful for browser utilization. It alters your search engine to its specific – Anysearchpro.com, and likewise alters your background, putting its watermark on your background image (or, sometimes, changing it to default with the specified symbol).

Aside from viewable modifications done by AnySearchPro hijacker, you might observe that many of your search questions are redirecting to the untrustworthy sites, full of web links and advertisements – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can consist of web links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting increases if you attempt to open Google search page forcibly.

But all these activities are more annoying than truly hazardous. The most important danger, specifically for individuals who have a lot of secret information in their browsers, is installed in data collecting functionalities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited web pages, as well as other activities are simply gathered by AnySearchPro hijacker.

How to remove AnySearchPro search hijacker?

• Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
• Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
• “Move to quarantine” all items.
• Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
• Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
• Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are usually quite simple to delete. Usually, they have an independent application that can be spotted in the list of installed apps. Due to the specific distribution method of AnySearchPro hijacker, it can be simply tracked and erased manually. Nevertheless, if you got AnySearchPro in the bundle with a free applications, your computer might be contaminated with much more major malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you make use of anti-malware tools to deal with the AnySearchPro PUA and all various other malware.

You can use Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of finding and removing a wide range of malware, including named hijacker. Nevertheless, significant malware, that may be present on your personal computer in the specified case, can disable the Windows antimalware program by editing the Group Policies. To keep away from such circumstances, it is better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and eliminate all unwanted programs on your personal computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to utilize Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malware, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and folders.

You can see the detected viruses sorted by their possible harm during the scan process. But to choose any actions against malicious apps, you need to wait until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.

To set the action for every detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malware. By default, all the viruses will be removed to quarantine.

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you need to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action cannot be intercepted by any malware, hence, you will surely see the result. This action can be found in the Tools tab.

After pressing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be displayed, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing AnySearchPro hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :

After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

References

1. More information about PUAs
2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender