OtherSearch Adware

What is OtherSearch?

OtherSearch is a rogue program that infiltrates systems during the installation of other programs (this is a deceptive marketing method called "bundling"). Following infiltration, OtherSearch generates various online advertisements and tracks Internet browsing activity. For these reasons, OtherSearch is classed as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

After system infiltration, OtherSearch employs a 'virtual layer' to generate pop-up, banner, coupon, search, and other similar advertisements marked as "Ads X". The virtual layer enables placement of third party graphical content on any site and, therefore, displayed ads often conceal underlying content of visited websites.

This significantly diminishes the browsing experience. In addition, displayed ads might lead to malicious websites - clicking them can result in high-risk adware or malware infections. Also be aware about data tracking. OtherSearch records information relating to Internet browsing activity including IP addresses, websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.

This information might seem insignificant, however, it will contain private details that are shared with third parties (who misuse private data to generate revenue), thereby causing serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to uninstall OtherSearch adware immediately.

Research shows that all adware applications have similar behavior. By falsely claiming to provide 'valuable functions', apps such as Krazy Joystick Games, Dash Browser, and LivingPlay often trick users to install.

In fact, most adware delivers no value for regular users - they are designed only to generate revenue for the developers, generate intrusive advertisements (using "Pay Per Click" [PPC] advertising model), and collect private data (which is later sold to third parties).

How did OtherSearch install on my computer?

OtherSearch is distributed using the "bundling" method - stealth installation of PUPs with regular software. Developers know that many users do not pay enough attention when downloading and installing software. Therefore, PUPs are often concealed within the "Custom/Advanced" settings.

Skipping this section often leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted programs including OtherSearch. Developers' revenue is dependent on the number of distributed PUPs and, therefore, these installations are never properly disclosed.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Installation of potentially unwanted programs can be prevented by taking a number of steps. Firstly, closely analyze each step within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes. Secondly, decline all offers to download/install third party programs and opt-out of those already included.

OtherSearch delivering intrusive online advertisements marked as "Ads X":

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Quick menu:

• What is OtherSearch?
• STEP 1. Uninstall OtherSearch application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove OtherSearch adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove OtherSearch ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by OtherSearch' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove OtherSearch extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

OtherSearch adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window, look for "OtherSearch", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes OtherSearch ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove OtherSearch adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, OtherSearch did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads x, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads x, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads x removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads x, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

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