What is Mazy Search browser plugin?

About Mazy Search hijacker origins

Mazy Search installation popup

Mazy Search search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is spread as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically advertised as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that helps to search some certain info, as an example, about sporting activity events, make your browser much more secure, allow downloading of any web video, et cetera.

Nevertheless, the Mazy Search plugin is rather ineffective because all such features are already integrated to your web browser and/or system. Such marketing mottos are targeted on low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. However frequently even professional users are getting caught on such an appeal. In certain situations, this hijacker is dispersed together with free tools.

How harmful is Mazy Search hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, Mazy Search hijacker is also really unsafe for browser use. It modifies your search engine to its particular – browser.mazysearch.com, and likewise transforms your background, putting its watermark on your wallpaper (or, in some cases, changing it to default with the mentioned symptom).

Apart from viewable alterations done by Mazy Search hijacker, you can discover that a couple of your search queries are redirecting to the uncertain sites, full of links and promotions – so-called doorway websites. Such sites can include the web links for malware downloading. The possibility of redirecting surges if you try to launch Google search page by force.

Mazy Search hijacked the search engine

However all these actions are more frustrating than truly damaging. The most important threat, specifically for people who have a lot of secret information in their internet browsers, is embedded in information gathering capabilities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited web pages and various other activities are easily gathered by Mazy Search hijacker.

How to remove Mazy 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 rather simple to delete. In many cases, they have an independent app that can be seen in the list of installed software. As a result of the specific distribution tactic of Mazy Search hijacker, it can be easily tracked and removed manually. However, if you got Mazy Search in the bundle with a free program( s), your PC might be infected with a lot more major malware – trojans, spyware or perhaps ransomware. That’s why I ‘d suggest you to make use of anti-malware tools to remove the Mazy Search PUA and all various other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of recognizing and clearing away various malware, including mentioned hijacker. Nevertheless, significant malware, that might exist on your computer in the discussed case, can disable the Windows antimalware program by modifying the Group Policies. To minimize the chanse of such circumstances, it is far better to make use of GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and erase all unwanted applications 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 viruses, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and folders.

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

To set the action for each spotted malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of detected malware. By default, all malware will be moved 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 counteracted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be located in the Tools tab.

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

Deleteing Mazy 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 the time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of 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