Eliminate browser redirects to approvedresults.com

What is approvedresults.com?

approvedresults.com is a rogue website presented as high-end web search engine that significantly enhances web browsing experience by generating improved search results. Judging on the appearance alone, approvedresults.com actually seems appropriate and handy.

However, it is worth mentioning that this website is promoted using various browser-hijacking extensions and download/installation setups. Moreover, fake web search engines like approvedresults.com usually gather various information relating to user's web browsing activity.

Rogue browser extensions (e.g., MapsQuick) and downloaders/installers typically target the most popular web browsers (e.g., Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc.) and assign new tab URL, default search engine, homepage options as search.approvedresults.com. In addition, rogue installers inject so-called "helper objects" (rogue extensions and/or applications).

Such apps/add-ons are designed to reassign web browsers' options whenever attempts to change them are made. For this reason, returning browsers to their previous state simply becomes impossible. Ultimately, users have no choice but to visit search.approvedresults.com every time they open a new browsing tab or search the web via URL bar.

Such redirects significantly diminish web browsing experience. Another important issue is data tracking. Fake web search engines (as well as "helper objects") typically gather IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other similar information relating to user's web browsing activity.

For this reason, collected data may eventually lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Users who encounter redirects to approvedresults.com should immediately remove all suspicious applications and never return to this site again.

Threat Summary:

Name	search.approvedresults.com browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Search Extension by ApprovedResults, MapsQuick, and many others.
Supposed Functionality	Improved search results.
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Serving IP Address	52.23.27.157
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.

There are hundreds of fake web search engines that share similarities with approvedresults.com. The list of examples includes traveldealscenter.co, freeonlinepdftools.com, informationvine.com and many others.

By offering improved search results and, in some cases, other useful features (quick access to popular websites, weather forecast, currency exchange rates, etc.) fake search engines create the impression of legitimacy. However, these websites usually have only one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers.

Therefore, rather than giving any actual value, fake search engines significantly decrease web browsing experience.

How did Search Extension by ApprovedResults install on my computer?

As mentioned above, approvedresults.com is promoted using rogue downloaders/installers and browser extensions. This marketing method is called "bundling". Developers know that users often carelessly rush download/installation processes and skip most of the steps.

For this reason, information regarding modification of browsers' settings is intentionally concealed behind "Custom/Advanced" settings of these procedures.

Rogue extensions also typically hide the fact that they'll modify web browsers' options. Therefore, users who carelessly skip download/installation steps and install various questionable extensions often end up getting their browsers' settings changed.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

In order to prevent this situation users must be very cautious when browsing the Internet, as well as downloading/installing software. Always be sure to investigate each extension you're planning to install. If the extension seems questionable (it doesn't have any reviews, the name seems irrelevant, there's a very small number of users, etc.), then do not install it.

Moreover, download desired programs only from official sources, using direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers often include rogue apps, which is why such tools shouldn't be used. We should also mention that rogue extensions/apps are often distributed using intrusive advertisements (which are often delivered by adware-type programs).

These ads usually look completely appropriate. Yet distinguishing is still easy, because most of them redirect to unreliable websites (gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.) In case of such ads/redirects users should eliminate all suspicious applications/browser plug-ins as soon as possible.

The key to computer safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with Search Extension by ApprovedResults, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Search Extension by ApprovedResults browser hijacker asking for permissions:

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

Approvedresults.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 (for example, "Search Extension by ApprovedResults", "MapsQuick"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the approvedresults.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Approvedresults.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://search.approvedresults.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 search.approvedresults.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 "Search Extension by ApprovedResults", "MapsQuick", 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 rogue browser extension, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.approvedresults.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 disable rogue extension, look for "approvedresults.com" 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 search.approvedresults.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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "Search Extension by ApprovedResults", "MapsQuick", 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 rogue browser extension, remove hxxp://approvedresults.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: "moz-extension"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with search.approvedresults.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 search.approvedresults.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.

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