How to remove software causing redirects to yousearch.io
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of website is yousearch.io?
Yousearch.io is presented as an Internet search engine that significantly enhances web browsing by generating improved search results. Judging on appearance alone, yousearch.io barely differs from Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other legitimate search engines.
Therefore, many users believe that this site is also legitimate and useful. In fact, developers promote it by employing browser hijackers designed to modify web browser settings without permission. In addition, yousearch.io continually tracks users' Internet browsing activity.
How do browser hijackers promote yousearch.io?
Research shows that set-ups hijack browsers by stealthily assigning the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options to yousearch.io. Browser hijackers then append this URL to the target of each browser shortcut.
These changes may seem insignificant, however, users are unable to revert them - set-ups stealthily install several third party applications and/or browser plug-ins (so-called "helper objects"). These apps and add-ons reassign browser settings when attempts are made to change them.
Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are forced to visit yousearch.io when they search via the URL bar or simply open a browser/new browser tab. This significantly diminishes the web browsing experience.
Furthermore, helper objects and yousearch.io continually track Internet browsing activity by recording Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, URLs visited, search queries, pages viewed, and other similar information.
This collected data might contain personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private details to generate revenue. Therefore, information tracking can result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft.
If you encounter unwanted redirects to yousearch.io, uninstall all suspicious applications/browser plug-ins and never visit this rogue site again.
| Name | yousearch.io browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling). |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Fake search engine examples
There are hundreds of fake search engines virtually identical to yousearch.io including, for example, searchencrypt.com, searchlock.com, and searchdimension.com. All offer improved search results, however, claims to enhance the web browsing experience are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
In fact, fake search engines are designed only to generate revenue for the developers and provide no significant value for regular users. They cause unwanted redirects and continually record various user-system information.
How did yousearch.io promoting software install on my computer?
Developers promote yousearch.io using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling", since they know that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip steps. Therefore, details of browser modifications are hidden within the "Custom/Advanced" settings. By carelessly skipping this section, users inadvertently grant set-ups permission to change browser settings.
Other common browser hijacker distribution methods include deceptive promotional pages, freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, online scams, and intrusive advertisements (capable of stealthy downloads/installations).
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
The key to computer safety is caution. Therefore, never rush the download or installation processes. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings, closely analyze each step, and decline offers to download/install additional applications. Always download from official and verified sources. Be vigilant when browsing since the Internet is full of well-disguised fake and malicious content.
If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is yousearch.io?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove yousearch.io browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove yousearch.io homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove yousearch.io redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Yousearch.io redirect 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 any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Yousearch.io redirect removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.yousearch.io) below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "yousearch.io", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the yousearch.io browser hijacker, 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove hxxp://yousearch.io and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with yousearch.io browser hijacker 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 and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
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 top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon 
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the yousearch.io browser hijacker, 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:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on yousearch.io browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit yousearch.io website?
The motivation behind developing software that generates rogue redirects to sites like yousearch.io is profit.
Is visiting yousearch.io a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like yousearch.io usually gather (and sell) information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are mainly distributed via deceptive promotional pages, bundled installation setups, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, intrusive ads, and spam browser notifications.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without security software) might not be ideal, especially when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Removal-related settings might also be unmodifiable when this software is installed. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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