QIP.ru Redirect

What is qip.ru?

qip.ru is a fake web search engine that supposedly enhances the browsing experience by generating improved results, providing the latest news and other useful features. Judging on appearance alone, qip.ru may seem legitimate, however, developers promote this site using a rogue browser called QiP Surf, which is based on Chromium.

In most cases, QIP Surf infiltrates systems without permission. Deceptive QIP Surf installation set-ups are also designed to set it as the default web browser and modify other browser settings. In addition, qip.ru and QIP Surf continually monitor browsing activity by gathering various user-system information.

Developers use the QIP Surf browser to promote the qip.ru fake search engine - this website is set as QIP Surf's default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL. Furthermore, changing these options in QIP Surf is virtually impossible.

Therefore, as long as QIP Surf is set as the default browser, users are encouraged to visit qip.ru when they open a new browser tab/window or simply search via the URL bar. The same settings (default search engine, new tab URL, and homepage) of other browsers are also assigned to qip.ru Therefore, even if the default browser is changed, the results are identical.

In most cases, installers promote fake search engines and install a number of random third party applications and browser plug-ins (so-called "helper objects") used to re-assign browser options when attempts are made to change them.

As long as these apps are present, returning browsers to their previous states is impossible, which significantly diminishes the browsing experience. Furthermore, qip.ru, QIP Surf, and "helper objects" record various user-system information that typically includes personal details.

IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, keystrokes, and other collected data is later shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

These people misuse private information to generate revenue. Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter redirects to qip.ru, immediately eliminate QIP Surf and other suspicious applications/browser plug-ins, and never return to this site.

Threat Summary:

Name	QIP.ru 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.

qip.ru is virtually identical to fluxsearch.com, nav-goo.com, z-results.com, hfastestsearch.com, and dozens of other fake web search engines. 

By offering improved results and other "useful features" (e.g., quick access to popular websites, weather forecasts, etc.), these sites attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, their only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than giving any real value for regular users, fake search engines cause unwanted redirects and record sensitive information.

Some are also designed to feed users with misleading results and intrusive advertisements (coupons, banners, and similar). These typically lead to dubious websites. Therefore, using any fake search engine can lead to high-risk computer infections.

How did QIP Surf install on my computer?

QIP Surf is proliferated using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs with regular software/apps. Developers hide "bundled" applications within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes - they do not disclose these installations properly.

Furthermore, many users rush download/installation processes and skip steps. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of PUPs such as QIP Surf. Users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. The key to safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. As well as using "bundling", developers proliferate PUPs via intrusive advertisements that redirect to malicious sites.

These ads typically seem legitimate, but once clicked, redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on). In most cases, they are delivered by adware-type PUPs. If you experience suspicious redirects, immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.

Furthermore, carefully analyze each download/installation step and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. Your software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers often include rogue apps, and thus should never be used.

QIP Surf browser hijacker installer set-up:

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Quick menu:

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

qip.ru 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 qip.ru website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

qip.ru 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://qip.ru 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 "qip.ru".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the qip.ru 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 and remove them.

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.qip.ru) 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 "qip.ru", 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 qip.ru 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://qip.ru 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: "qip.ru"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with qip.ru 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 qip.ru 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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