Advisurf.com Redirect

What is advisurf.com?

advisurf.com is one of many fake search engines. Some examples of other similar or identical search engines are web-explore.com, navig-gg.com, and maxsearch.live. These sites and advisurf.com may seem legitimate, since their appearance is similar to popular search engines such as Google.

In fact, developers promote advisurf.com using browser-hijacking installation/download set-ups that modify browser settings without direct user permission. This fake search engine also collects various data relating to users' browsing habits.

Rogue set-ups usually target the most popular browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer. In this case, once a browser is hijacked, set-ups assign the default search engine, new tab URL, and homepage options to advisurf.com. They also install "helper objects".

These apps/browser add-ons prevent users from undoing the settings changes (they are reassigned when an attempt is made to revert them). Therefore, users are forced to visit advisurf.com when they open the affected browser or new tab. In this way, browser-hijacking apps can significantly diminish the browsing experience.

Furthermore, helper objects and the advisurf.com fake search engine record data relating to browsing habits, including IP addresses, keystrokes, search queries, URLs of visited websites, and so on. They often record personal/sensitive data. Developers share the information with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.

Thus, using fake search engines or having browser-hijacking apps installed, can lead to privacy/browsing safety problem and other issues. Do not use these rogue search engines.

Threat Summary:

Name	advisurf.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.

Most fake search engines are promoted as 'useful' tools and users are often tricked into using them, willingly or otherwise. Developers offer various features, tools, and an enhanced browsing experience, however, these rogue search engines provide none of the functionality promised and are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

They also cause unwanted redirects and gather information, thereby diminishing the browsing experience and posing a threat to your privacy. In addition, some generate misleading results and intrusive advertisements (which typically lead to dubious websites). Therefore, using fake search engines can lead to various system infections.

How did advisurf.com install on my computer?

advisurf.com is promoted using rogue installers and/or downloaders and, therefore, users are often tricked into allowing changes to be made to their browsers. Developers achieve this using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". This is used to trick people into installing unwanted apps or allowing them to make changes to browsers, and so on.

Additional PUAs are hidden in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the installation/download processes. These unintentional installations or permissions to change browser settings often occur when users do not check available settings presented within installation/download procedures.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download software using legitimate, official and trustworthy sources only. That does not include third party software downloaders such as torrents. Install software with care and do not finish installations without first checking all available "Custom", "Advanced", and other settings of the installation procedures.

Pay attention to checkboxes that might indicate your approval to install potentially unwanted apps. Deselect all unwanted additional apps and only then finish the installation. Intrusive ads (even those developed by cyber criminals) often appear legitimate, however, some might be malicious and cause unwanted redirects to untrustworthy websites.

They usually redirect to websites such as gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc. If you encounter these redirects/ads, check your browser for any unknown or unwanted extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons installed on your browser, or programs installed on your computer.

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

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

advisurf.com redirect 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 applications that cause browser redirects to the advisurf.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

advisurf.com redirect 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://advisurf.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 "advisurf.com".

Optional method:

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

Optional method:

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

▼ Show Discussion