What is MySearch Search browser plugin?

About MySearch Search hijacker origins

MySearch Search installation popup

MySearch Search search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is promoted as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to browse some certain info, for instance, about sport events, make your web browser a lot more safe, allow downloading of any video clip, et cetera.

However, the MySearch Search plugin is quite ineffective because all such features are currently embedded to your web browser and/or system. Such marketing mottos are targeted on low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. However often even professional users are getting caught on such a lure. In certain situations, this hijacker is dispersed along with free apps.

How harmful is MySearch Search hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, MySearch Search hijacker is likewise considerably hazardous for browser use. It changes your search engine to its specific – mysearch-app.xyz, and likewise alters your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, sometimes, changing it to default with the mentioned sign).

Aside from viewable changes done by MySearch Search hijacker, you can see that several of your search queries are redirecting to the suspicious websites, full of web links and promotions – so-called doorway sites. Such sites can have the web links for malware downloading. The chance of redirecting surges if you attempt to start Google search page by force.

MySearch Search changed the search engine to Bing

However all these actions are much more annoying than truly damaging. The greatest danger, especially for people who have a huge amount of secret information in their browsers, is installed in information collecting functions. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited websites as well as other activities are easily gathered by MySearch Search hijacker.

How to remove MySearch 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 usually quite easy to delete. Usually, they have a separate app that can be spotted in the list of installed software. Because of the certain distribution manner of MySearch Search hijacker, it can be simply tracked and erased manually. Nonetheless, if you got MySearch Search in the bundle with a free application( s), your PC might be contaminated with far more major malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I ‘d recommend you to use anti-malware tools to remove the MySearch Search PUA and all various other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of detecting and eliminating a wide range of malware, including mentioned hijacker. But serious malware, that might be present on your personal computer in the specified situation, can disable the Windows antimalware program by modifying the Group Policies. To keep away from such situations, it is better to utilize GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

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

You can spectate the detected viruses sorted by their possible hazard during the scan process. But to perform any actions against the viruses, you need to hold on until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

To choose the action for every detected virus or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of 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 intercepted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This action can be found in the Tools tab.

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

Deleteing MySearch 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