Remove Clear Search Redirect — How to Fix Guide

Clear Search – What is it?

“Clear Search” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is promoted as a plugin for your web browser. It is usually spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to browse some precise info, for instance, about sport events, make your browser a lot more safe, enable downloading of any web video, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nevertheless, the “Clear Search” plugin is rather ineffective because all such functions are currently embedded to your browser and/or Windows. Such advertising slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. But in some cases even qualified users are getting caught on such an appeal. In specific situations, this hijacker is spread together with free apps.

Clear Search Search Hijacker

How harmful is Clear Search hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, Clear Search hijacker is likewise pretty hazardous for web browser utilization. It modifies your search engine to its specific – Clear-search.com, and additionally changes your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, sometimes, altering it to default with the mentioned symbol).

Apart from visual transformations done by Clear Search hijacker, you may notice that some of your search inquiries are redirecting to the uncertain websites, filled with links and ads – so-called doorway sites. Such sites can include links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting rises if you attempt to start Google search page by force.

However all these activities are a lot more bothersome than really hazardous. The biggest danger, especially for individuals who have a lot of confidential information in their internet browsers, is installed in data gathering functions. Cookie files, chats, often-visited web pages, as well as other activities are easily gathered by Clear Search hijacker.

How to remove Clear Search 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 often very simple to delete. In most cases, they have a separate app that can be spotted in the list of installed software. As a result of the specific distribution tactic of Clear Search hijacker, it can be easily tracked and erased manually. Nevertheless, if you got Clear Search in the package with a free applications, your PC can be contaminated with a lot more dangerous malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you utilize anti-malware programs to remove the Clear Search PUA and all various other malware.

You can utilize Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of discovering and clearing away various malware, including named hijacker. However, serious malware, that might be present on your computer in the discussed case, can disable the Windows antimalware tool by modifying the Group Policies. To stay clear of such scenarios, it is far better to make use of 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 malicious apps, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and directories.

You can spectate the detected malware sorted by their possible hazard simultaneously with the scan process. But to perform any actions against malware, you need to wait until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

To set the action for every detected virus 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 is not able to be counteracted by any virus, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.

After choosing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be shown, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing Clear Search 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