Gosearchresults.com Redirect

What is gosearchresults.com?

gosearchresults.com is another fake search engine that supposedly offers an enhanced browsing experience using improved search results. Judging on appearance alone, this may seem like a legitimate search engine, however, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA).

Once installed, the gosearchresults.com browser hijacker takes control over your browser. It manipulates browser settings and assigns the new tab, search engine, and home page URLs to gosearchresults.com It also collects data such as visited websites, IP addresses, search queries, and so on.

As its developers claim, they do not share any of the collected information with third party companies, however, they mention that collected data may be shared with their business partners. When a search query on gosearchresults.com is made, it provides no results of any real value (they are inaccurate or not relevant).

In most cases, fake search engines tend to provide misleading redirects and intrusive ads. This is so that developers can generate revenue from the ads (results with ads) clicked.

Fake search engine (browser hijackers) are mostly created to generate revenue, and it is likely that you will encounter a diminished browsing experience rather than benefiting from any functionality promised. Furthermore, many browser hijackers track your browsing behaviour - this can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	gosearchresults.com 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.

Gosearchresults.com is not the only one fake search engine out there, in fact, there are dozens of them. Some of the examples include mysearchprotect.com, searchdims.network, and search14.co. All of them seem to be legitimate, however, usually they are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

Fake search engines cause unwanted redirects and record sensitive information, using one could get your computer infected, cause privacy issues or other damage.

How did gosearchresults.com install on my computer?

Some potentially unwanted programs (browser hijackers) have official download websites, however, there are usually a number of ways they can infiltrate the system. In most cases, browser hijackers are installed using the 'bundling' method or through intrusive ads.

Bundling is stealth installation of PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) together with regular software. These bundled programs are usually hidden in "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual", and other settings or options of the installation processes.

Browser hijackers can also be installed through intrusive ads - once this type of ad is clicked, it stealthily installs a browser hijacker (or other similar software). Therefore, these ads redirect you to malicious websites and execute certain scripts that download or install software without your knowledge.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Pay attention to the details and do not skip steps when installing various software, especially if it is ad-suppoortive or free. Check installation options/setting such as "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual", and others. Look for checkboxes and ensure they do not imply that you agreeing to install any bundled software.

Avoid clicking intrusive ads, pop-up ads, suspicious "Download" buttons and untrustworthy links. Avoid using third party software downloaders/installers, use direct links, and download software from official and trusted sources only. Avoid installing software downloaded via torrents and keep your antivirus software enabled at all times.

If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate it.

Update 18 December, 2018 - Gosearchresults.com is now also promoted via the installation setup of µTorrent application (legitimate BitTorrent client). This app is completely free, however, it is monetized via advertising, including promotion of gosearchresults.com website.

The installation setup contains an option that allows users to decide if they want their browsers' settings to be assigned as securedsearch.lavasoft.com URL (a search engine) which, once a search query is entered, redirects users to lavasoft.gosearchresults.com sub-domain.

Screenshot of µTorrent installer promoting securedsearch.lavasoft.com by presenting it as SecuredSearch:

Appearance of securedsearch.lavasoft.com website which redirects to lavasoft.gosearchresults.com (GIF):

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

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

gosearchresults.com 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://gosearchresults.com 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 "gosearchresults".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the gosearchresults.com 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.gosearchresults.com) 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 "gosearchresults.com", 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 gosearchresults.com 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 on "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://gosearchresults.com 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: "gosearchresults.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with gosearchresults.com 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 gosearchresults.com 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 gosearchresults.com browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion