Search.searchpcst2.com Redirect

What is search.searchpcst2.com?

search.searchpcst2.com is a fake search engine promoted by the My Speed Test browser hijacker app (also known as the PC Speed Test).

It offers an enhanced browsing experience with improved search results and an internet performance testing tool that can be accessed direct from the search engine. This may seem to be a legitimate app, however, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

The My Speed Test browser hijacker targets five popular web browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Internet Explorer. Depending on the browser, it can be installed as an extension, add-on, or a program on Windows. When installed, it modifies browser settings - the homepage, search engine, and new tabs are replaced with the search.searchpcst2.com URL.

These changes cannot be reverted in the usual way - browser hijackers tend to prevent users from doing this (and are thus called hijackers). Furthermore, hijackers collect browsing-related data. This includes IP addresses, search queries, visited websites, and so on.

Generally, they track browsing behaviour and, later, use this information to generate revenue by providing you with misleading or unwanted redirects. This is the main purpose of virtually all hijackers available. Collected data will probably be shared with third parties, potentially cyber criminals.

Clicked misleading results can lead to malicious websites whereby you could be tricked into downloading other malicious software, or your computer could become infected using scripts that, when executed, stealthily install malicious or other unwanted software. Avoid using browser hijackers, even if they appear legitimate. Most are not.

Threat Summary:

Name	My Speed Test 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.

Some companies develop numerous browser hijacker apps, including developers of My Speed Test. Most browser hijackers are similar, claim to be legitimate, and offer quick access to dubious tools, such as the performance test tool. Here are some examples of other browser hijackers that are virtually identical: BitcoinPriceSearch, Weather Update, and Amazing Tab

How did My Speed Test install on my computer?

You can find and download the My Speed Test browser hijacker at my-performance-test.com, however, in most cases, browser hijackers are installed without permission 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 or other unwanted software. "Bundling" is stealth installation method of third party programs with regular software. Developers hide these bundled programs in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar sections of software installation processes.

Developers do not disclose these installations of unwanted programs properly. Therefore, they can go unnoticed and it is often difficult to understand what you are agreeing to, what "special offers" are included, and how to uninstall them.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Remember to study all available options and settings of software installation steps. Do not rush them, analyze each step, and look for any signs of unwanted programs. Check all available checkboxes, "Custom" and "Advanced" settings/options, and deselect software that you do not want to install.

Download software from official sources, and do not use third party software downloaders or installers or torrents to download software. Avoid visiting untrustworthy websites and avoid clicking ads or "Download" buttons when on websites of this kind. Finally, you are strongly advised to keep your antivirus software real-time protection enabled at all times.

If your computer is already infected with My Speed Test, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Website promoting My Speed Test 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.searchpcst2.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall My Speed Test application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove search.searchpcst2.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove My Speed Test browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.searchpcst2.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove search.searchpcst2.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

My Speed Test 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, "My Speed Test"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the search.searchpcst2.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

My Speed Test 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://search.searchpcst2.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 "Search".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the my speed test 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 "My Speed Test" 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, disable "My Speed Test", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.searchpcst2.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 "search.searchpcst2.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 my speed test 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 "My Speed Test" (or simply "SpeedTest"), 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 My Speed Test (or simply "SpeedTest") 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: "moz-extension"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with my speed test 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 my speed test 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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