What is HideSearch browser plugin? — Fix Guide

HideSearch – What is it?

“HideSearch” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is promoted as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically shared as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to search some particular details, as an example, about sport events, make your browser far more secure, allow downloading of any type of video, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nonetheless, the “HideSearch” plugin is quite ineffective because all such functions are currently built-in to your browser and/or system. Such advertising and marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. However occasionally even professional users are getting caught on such a lure. In certain situations, this hijacker is distributed along with free programs.

HideSearch Search Hijacker

How harmful is HideSearch hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, HideSearch hijacker is also considerably hazardous for web browser usage. It alters your search engine to its particular – Hidesearch.bid, and likewise changes your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, occasionally, altering it to default with the specified symbol).

Apart from aesthetic modifications done by HideSearch hijacker, you can discover that a couple of your search questions are redirecting to the dubious sites, full of links and promotions – so-called doorway websites. Such sites can contain links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting rises if you attempt to start Google search page by force.

However all these actions are much more frustrating than truly damaging. The major hazard, primarily for people who have a considerable amount of secret information in their browsers, is embedded in data gathering capabilities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited web pages, and other activities are easily collected by HideSearch hijacker.

How to remove HideSearch 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 generally fairly easy to remove. Most of the times, they have an independent application that can be spotted in the list of installed software. Because of the particular distribution way of HideSearch hijacker, it can be easily tracked and erased manually. Nonetheless, if you got HideSearch in the bundle with a free applications, your computer may be infected with a lot more dangerous malware – trojans, spyware or even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you make use of anti-malware tools to remove the HideSearch PUA and all other malware.

You can utilize Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of recognizing and removing different malware, including mentioned hijacker. Nevertheless, serious malware, that might be present on your PC in the discussed case, can disable the Windows antimalware program by modifying the Group Policies. To minimize the chanse of such situations, it is far better to utilize GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and delete all malicious programs on your computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use 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 viruses sorted by their possible hazard simultaneously with the scan process. But to perform any actions against malicious programs, you need to hold on until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

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

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To revert your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be intercepted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This action can be located in the Tools tab.

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

Deleteing HideSearch 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