Search.hideyoursearch.win Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is search.hideyoursearch.win?
search.hideyoursearch.win is a fake Internet search engine identical to search.searchapp.website. By offering improved search results, search.hideyoursearch.win often tricks users into believing that it is legitimate and useful, however, criminals promote this rogue site using a browser-hijacking application called hideyoursearch.
Furthermore, search.hideyoursearch.win and hideyoursearch continually record various user-system information relating to users' Internet browsing activity.
hideyoursearch targets Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Following infiltration, search.hideyoursearch.win stealthily assigns search.hideyoursearch.win as the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage browser options. These changes may seem insignificant, however, users are unable to revert them.
Research shows that search.hideyoursearch.win continues to reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, returning web browsers to their previous states becomes impossible. Be aware that search.hideyoursearch.win and hideyoursearch gather information relating to users' Internet browsing activity.
Collected data is later shared with third parties, and since it might contain personal details, there is a high probability that criminals will misuse it to generate revenue.
This behavior can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter redirects to search.hideyoursearch.win, eliminate the hideyoursearch browser hijacker and scan the system with a legitimate anti-virus/anti-spyware suite to remove all remnants. Never return to search.hideyoursearch.win
Name | hideyoursearch 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. |
search.hideyoursearch.win shares many similarities with webdigger.net, chrome-tab.com, search.hidesearch.bid, and dozens of other fake search engines. All claim to generate improved search results and provide various other "useful features" (weather forecasts, shortcuts to popular websites, etc.), however, these claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
In fact, fake search engines deliver no real value for regular users. Sites such as search.hideyoursearch.win are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. They collect sensitive information and cause redirects.
In some cases, fake search engines also generate misleading search results and intrusive advertisements (such as coupons, banners, and so on). In many cases, users are redirected to various dubious websites. Therefore, using fake search engines can lead to high-risk computer infections.
How did search.hideyoursearch.win install on my computer?
The hideyoursearch browser hijacker has an official download website. Despite this, it typically infiltrates systems without permission. The reasons for this are the lack of knowledge and careless behavior of many users. Furthermore, hideyoursearch is proliferated using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" together with intrusive advertisements.
Developers hide "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other steps) of the download/installation processes. Many users rush these processes, skip steps, and click dubious links/advertisements. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted programs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The key to computer safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention when downloading/installing software and browsing the web. Choose "Custom/Advanced" settings and closely analyze each download/installation step. Opt-out of additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them. If you are unable to do this, cancel the entire installation.
You are also advised to avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since criminals employ them to proliferate potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links. Furthermore, many intrusive ads look legitimate.
Despite this, they are distinguishable, since most lead to gambling, adult dating, and other dubious sites. Intrusive advertisements are typically delivered by adware-type PUPs. If you encounter them, immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Using a legitimate anti-virus/anti-spyware suite is also essential.
Website promoting hideyoursearch browser hijacker:
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 search.hideyoursearch.win?
- STEP 1. Uninstall hideyoursearch application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove search.hideyoursearch.win redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove hideyoursearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.hideyoursearch.win homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove search.hideyoursearch.win redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Hideyoursearch 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 (for example, "hideyoursearch"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the search.hideyoursearch.win website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Hideyoursearch browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects (Windows OS):
Video showing how to eliminate browser redirects to search.hideyoursearch.win website using Combo Cleaner (MacOS):
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://search.hideyoursearch.win 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 "Search".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the hideyoursearch 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 "hideyoursearch_NT", "hideyoursearch_DS", and other 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, disable "hidewinsearch_NT", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.hideyoursearch.win) 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 "hideyoursearch_DS", 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 hideyoursearch 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 "hideyoursearch", as well as all other 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://search.hideyoursearch.win 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: "search.hideyoursearch.win"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with hideyoursearch 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 hideyoursearch 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 hideyoursearch browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
▼ Show Discussion