Bettersearch.co Redirect

What is bettersearch.co?

bettersearch.co is another fake Internet search engine that supposedly enhances users' browsing experience by generating improved results. Judging on appearance alone, bettersearch.co may seem similar to Yahoo, Bing, Google, and other legitimate search engines.

Therefore, many users believe that bettersearch.co is also legitimate and useful. In fact, this site is promoted using rogue download/installation set-ups designed to modify Internet browser options without permission. In addition, bettersearch.co records various user-system information relating to Internet browsing activity.

Immediately after infiltration, rogue set-ups hijack Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, stealthily assigning the default search engine, new tab URL, and homepage options to bettersearch.co. From this point, users continually encounter unwanted redirects to bettersearch.co when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar.

Furthermore, although these changes may seem insignificant, users are unable to revert them - set-ups stealthily install a number of browser extensions and/or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). These so-called "helper objects" continue to reassign browser settings when attempts are made to change them.

Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible. By deceptively building bettersearch.co traffic, developers significantly diminish users' Internet browsing experience. Another downside is information tracking.

This fake search engine and "helper objects" continually record various sensitive information: IP addresses, keystrokes, search queries, website URLs visited, and other information is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). In doing so, developers put your privacy at risk.

Modification of browser options and information tracking is very common to browser-hijacking apps, however, in some cases, browser hijackers run unwanted processes (e.g., to mine cryptocurrency) in the background, without permission.

They misuse system resources, thereby diminishing overall system performance. If you encounter redirects to bettersearch.co, immediately eliminate all suspicious programs/add-ons and never visit this website again.

Threat Summary:

Name	bettersearch.co browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

bettersearch.co is virtually identical to nowsearch.info, searchdimension.com, newtab.today, and dozens of other fake search engines. Note that, although these viruses are developed by different cyber criminals, all have identical behavior.

By falsely claiming to generate improved search results and to provide other 'useful features' (shortcuts to popular websites, weather forecasts, etc.), fake search engines attempt to give the impression of legitimacy. In fact, however, these sites are useless for regular users. The only purpose of all fake search engines is to increase developers' revenue.

Rather than giving any real value for regular users, websites such as bettersearch.co cause unwanted redirects and record private information.

Research shows that some fake search engines generate intrusive advertisements and false search results. These rogue ads and results typically lead to malicious websites. Furthermore, there is a high probability that the ads will execute scripts that download and install malware/PUPs. Therefore, using a fake Internet search engine risks computer infection.

How did bettersearch.co install on my computer?

To promote bettersearch.co, developers employ a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". They hide all information regarding modification of browser settings within the "Custom/Advanced" options or other sections of the download/installation processes.

Many users rush and skip the associated steps, thus inadvertently granting set-ups permission to change various settings and exposing their systems to risk of various infections.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Potentially unwanted programs are proliferated using the "bundling" method and via intrusive advertisements. Therefore, be cautious during the download/installation processes, and when browsing the Internet in general. Carefully analyze each window of the download/installation processes and cancel all additionally-included programs.

Criminals monetize third party downloaders/installers by promoting dubious apps (the "bundling" method). Therefore, we strongly advise you to download your apps from official sources only, using a direct download link.

Many intrusive ads look legitimate, since developers invest many resources into their design, however, once clicked, they redirect to pornography, adult dating, gambling, and other dubious websites. These ads are commonly delivered by adware-type programs. Therefore, if you encounter them, immediately eliminate all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins.

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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is bettersearch.co?
• STEP 1. Uninstall bettersearch.co application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove bettersearch.co redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove bettersearch.co browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove bettersearch.co homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove bettersearch.co redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

bettersearch.co browser hijacker 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 programs that cause browser redirects to the bettersearch.co website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

bettersearch.co browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

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 extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://bettersearch.co and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "bettersearch".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the bettersearch.co browser hijacker, 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 "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.bettersearch.co) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click 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 "bettersearch", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the bettersearch.co 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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

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

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://bettersearch.co 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 "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "bettersearch.co"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with bettersearch.co 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 bettersearch.co 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.

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