Speedtestace.co Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is speedtestace.co?
Very similar to searchmedia.online, feed.ebooks-club.com, feed.searchfrit.com, and many other sites, speedtestace.co is a fake search engine.
Its developers claim that this search engine provides an enhanced browsing experience (fast and accurate searches, improved results, and so on), however, they promote this fake search engine using a browser hijacker, a potentially unwanted application (PUA) called Speed Test Ace.
Like most apps of this type, it modifies browser settings and records data relating to users' browsing activity.
Typically, browser hijackers target popular browsers such as Safari, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Once Speed Test Ace is installed, it assigns speedtestace.co as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL. This unwanted app prevents users from undoing any of these changes - Speed Test Ace reassigns settings when attempts are made to revert them.
The only way to avoid having to visit speedtestace.co when a browser/new tab is opened or the URL bar is used to search, is to uninstall this browser hijacker. Furthermore, most fake search engines (with browser hijackers) gather data such as IP addresses, entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, geolocations, etc.
Collected data sometimes includes personal/sensitive details. PUAs developers share the data with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. In summary, using speedtestace.co (and Speed Test Ace) might lead to various privacy and browsing safety issues. Some users might even end up having their identities stolen.
| Name | Speed Test Ace browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab. |
| Browser Extension(s) | Speed Test Ace |
| Supposed Functionality | Internet speed testing. |
| Promoted URL | speedtestace.co |
| Serving IP Address (speedtestace.co) | 104.18.58.40 |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Symptoms | Manipulated internet browser settings (homepage, default internet search engine, new tab settings). Users 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 browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Fake search engines usually serve one purpose: to generate revenue for their developers. They provide none of the promoted features or other benefits. They simply cause unwanted redirects and gather data. Do not use PUAs and remove them immediately.
How did Speed Test Ace install on my computer?
To promote unwanted apps, developers use a deceptive marketing method called bundling. This tricks people into downloading and installing unwanted apps by hiding information about their inclusion in software setups. The details are hidden in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings.
People who download/install software without checking these settings often inadvertently allow PUAs to be downloaded and installed. This can also happen due to clicked intrusive and deceptive ads.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Do not use third party downloaders, unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks, or other similar channels to download software. The best and safest way to download it via official and trustworthy websites and using direct download links. Furthermore, download and install software properly.
Check all setup settings and dismiss offers to download/install unwanted, additionally-included programs. Do not click intrusive ads, since they redirect users to untrustworthy websites, such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on. If you experience frequent unwanted redirects and intrusive ads, it is possible that an unwanted app is installed on your browser.
Check installed extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons and remove all unwanted, suspicious entries immediately. Also remove any unwanted programs installed on the system. If your computer is already infected with Speed Test Ace, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Speed Test Ace browser hijacker installer set-up:
Website promoting Speed Test Ace 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 speedtestace.co?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Speed Test Ace application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove speedtestace.co redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Speed Test Ace browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove speedtestace.co homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove speedtestace.co redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Speed Test Ace 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, "Speed Test Ace"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the speedtestace.co website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Speed Test Ace 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://speedtestace.co 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 "https://speedtestace.co".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the speed test ace 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 "Speed Test Ace" 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 "Speed Test Ace", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.speedtestace.co) 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 "speedtestace.co", 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 speed test ace 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 "Speed Test Ace", 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, disable "Speed Test Ace", remove hxxp://speedtestace.co 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 speed test ace 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 speed test ace 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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