Search.playnsearch.net Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is search.playnsearch.net?
search.playnsearch.net is a fake search engine that supposedly enhances the browsing experience by generating improved results. Judging on appearance alone, search.playnsearch.net may seem similar to Google, Bing, Yahoo, and a number of other legitimate search engines. Therefore, many users believe that search.playnsearch.net is also legitimate and useful.
In fact, developers promote this site using browser-hijacking applications called Play N Search and Play N Start, offering a feature that allows users to find various movies. Furthermore, search.playnsearch.net and the aforementioned browser hijackers record information relating to Internet browsing habits.
Play N Search and Play N Start target Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Immediately after infiltration, they assign the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options to search.playnsearch.net These changes may seem significant, and yet users are unable to revert them.
Research shows that these browser hijackers reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, as long as Play N Search and/or Play N Start are installed, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are encouraged to visit search.playnsearch.net when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar.
These redirects significantly diminish the browsing experience. As mentioned above, search.playnsearch.net, Play N Search, and Play N Start continually record user-system information relating to Internet browsing activity. Collected data typically includes personal details.
Furthermore, the collected data is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). These people generate revenue by misusing private information. Therefore, data tracking might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly recommend that you uninstall the Play N Search and Play N Start browser hijackers, and never return to search.playnsearch.net
| Name | Play N Search 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. |
The Internet is full of fake search engines similar to search.playnsearch.net The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) qogotte.com, bronav.com, searchinspired.com, fluxsearch.com, and many others.
By offering improved search results and (in some cases) other "useful features" (shortcuts to popular websites, weather forecasts, latest news, etc.), websites such as search.playnsearch.net 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, they cause unwanted redirects and gather sensitive information. Some even generate misleading results and intrusive advertisements (leading to potentially malicious websites). Therefore, using fake search engines can lead to high-risk computer infections.
How did Play N Search and Play N Start install on my computer?
Play N Search and Play N Start have an official download website. Despite this, these PUPs often infiltrate systems without permission, since developers proliferate them using intrusive advertisements and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".
Intrusive advertisements redirect users to malicious websites and execute scripts that stealthily download and install malware/PUPs. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party programs together with regular software.
Developers do not disclose these installations properly - they hide "bundled" PUPs within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users rush these procedures and skip steps. In addition, they often click various advertisements without understanding the possible consequences.
This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of PUPs such as Play N Search and Play N Start - users expose their systems to risk of 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. Bear in mind that intrusive advertisements typically seem legitimate, since developers invest many resources into their design.
Distinguishing them, however, is easy, since most redirect to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious websites. In most cases, they are delivered by adware-type PUPs. Therefore, if you encounter these rogue ads, immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.
Carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. Never use third party downloaders/installers, since they are monetized by promoting ("bundling") PUPs. All software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links.
Website promoting Play N Search and Play N Start browser hijackers:
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Quick menu:
- What is search.playnsearch.net?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Play N Search and Play N Start application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove search.playnsearch.net redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Play N Search and Play N Start browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.playnsearch.net homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove search.playnsearch.net redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Play N Search and Play N Start browser hijackers 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, "Play N Search and Play N Start"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the search.playnsearch.net website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Play N Search and Play N Start browser hijackers 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://search.playnsearch.net 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 "playnsearch".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the play n search 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 "Play N Search and Play N Start" and other 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.search.playnsearch.net) 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 "search.playnsearch.net", 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 play n search 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 "Play N Search and Play N Start", 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.playnsearch.net 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.playnsearch.net"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with play n search 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 play n search 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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