Prevent Email Search Tools from hijacking your browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Email Search Tools?
Email Search Tools is a browser hijacker, which is endorsed as a tool for quick access to email accounts. In fact, it makes unauthorized changes to browsers in order to promote search.emailsearchtools.com (a fake search engine).
Furthermore, this rogue app also possess data tracking abilities, which it uses to monitor and record browsing-relating information. Due to Email Search Tools dubious proliferation methods, it is considered to be a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).
The most common browser hijackers target Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and others with large user bases. After successful installation, they assign the addresses of their fake web searchers as the homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs.
With Email Search Tools infiltrated into the system, each new browser tab/window opened and each search query typed into the URL bar redirects to search.emailsearchtools.com. Few fake search tools can generate unique results, and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) a legitimate search engine.
In this case, search.emailsearchtools.com is no different, since it redirects to search.yahoo.com. While this may seem a relatively minor alteration, which is easy to undo, this is not the case. Any changes users attempt to make might be automatically reset, if indeed access to the settings is allowed at all.
Removing the hijacker application is necessary to recover the affected browser. As mentioned, Email Search Tools can also track data. It monitors users' browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) and collects their personal information (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).
Therefore, the presence of data-tracking content on devices can lead to serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To protect devices against various browser/system infiltration and infections, and to ensure safety, remove all suspicious applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | Email Search Tools |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab. |
| Detection Names | Avast (Win32:AdwareSig [Adw]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/WinWrapper.V Potentia), DrWeb (Adware.Spigot.155), Fortinet (Riskware/WinWrapper), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Browser Extension(s) | Email Search Tools |
| Supposed Functionality | Quick access to email accounts. |
| Promoted URL | search.emailsearchtools.com |
| Serving IP Address (search.emailsearchtools.com) | 34.194.245.177 |
| 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 the 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. |
Incognito Search, MapsMyWayFree, ansd EasyPackageTracker are some examples of other browser hijackers similar to Email Search Tools. In general, all PUAs share certain similarities. The unwanted content often appears legitimate and lures users into downloading/installing with offers of a wide variety of "useful" features.
In fact, the only purpose of PUAs is to generate revenue for developers. The functionality of any features is not a priority.
Therefore, advertised features tend to be nonoperational, rendering these applications redundant to regular users. PUAs hijack browsers, cause redirects to compromised/malicious websites, deliver intrusive advertisements (pop-ups, banners, coupons, etc.) and gather sensitive data.
How did Email Search Tools install on my computer?
Email Search Tools has an "official" promotional webpage, from which it can downloaded free of charge. This, however, is not the most common way that PUAs are spread. They are much more likely to be downloaded/installed together with other programs.
This deceptive marketing tactic of pre-packing ordinary products with unwanted or malicious content is called "bundling".
Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, using pre-set options, skipping steps and sections, etc.), increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled software to infiltrate the system. When intrusive advertisements are clicked, they can be triggered to execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Research all content carefully to verify its legitimacy, before downloading/installing. Use only trustworthy and verified download channels. Unofficial and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, Gnutella, eMule, etc.) and other third party downloaders are untrusted and should be avoided.
When downloading and installing, read the terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out of additional apps, tools, functions, etc. While hosted by dubious sites, intrusive ads typically seem legitimate and innocuous, however, they redirect to rogue web pages, such as gambling, pornography, adult-dating and so on.
If you experience ads/redirects of this type, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Email Search Tools, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Email Search Tools browser hijacker installer set-up:
Email Search Tools browser hijacker asking for various permissions:
Website promoting Email Search Tools 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 Email Search Tools?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Email Search Tools application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove search.emailsearchtools.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Email Search Tools browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.emailsearchtools.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove search.emailsearchtools.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Email Search Tools 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, "Email Search Tools"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the search.emailsearchtools.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Email Search Tools 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.emailsearchtools.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 "Email Search Tools".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.emailsearchtools.com redirect, 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 "Email Search Tools" 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, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.emailsearchtools.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.emailsearchtools.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 search.emailsearchtools.com redirect, 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 "Email Search Tools", 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 hxxp://search.emailsearchtools.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: "emailsearchtools"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with search.emailsearchtools.com redirect 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.emailsearchtools.com redirect, 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 search.emailsearchtools.com redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion