How to uninstall the Coupon Search browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Coupon Search?
Coupon Search is a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser hijacker that promotes a fake search engine (searchforcoupons-svc.org) by changing certain browser settings to searchforcoupons-serp.org.
Commonly, browser hijackers are designed to promote fake search engines and also to track and record information. They are classified as PUAs, since people often download and install them inadvertently.
Coupon Search browser hijacker overview
After installation, browser hijackers reassign settings (such as the address of the default search engine, homepage and new tab) to the address of a specific fake search engine. Coupon Search assigns them to searchforcoupons-serp.org, which redirects users to searchforcoupons-svc.org, the address of a fake search engine that does not generate any unique results.
I.e., it simply displays results generated by the Yahoo search engine (by redirecting users to search.yahoo.com). Note that Coupon Search and similar apps ensure that users are forced to visit the address of a fake search engine when they open a browser, new tab and enter search queries into the URL bar.
Typically, the only way to stop browsers from opening addresses of fake search engines is to uninstall the browser hijacker. Therefore, searchforcoupons-svc.org can be removed from browser settings by uninstalling Coupon Search. This is not the only reason to uninstall this PUA.
Generally, browser hijackers collect browsing data such as IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, and other information. Some might be capable of recording personal, sensitive details as well. The data is sold by the developers to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue in other ways.
These actions can cause problems relating to privacy and browsing safety, and some users might even become victims of identity theft. Therefore, it is not safe to have apps of this type (including Coupon Search) installed on your browser or computer.
| Name | Coupon Search |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab. |
| Browser Extension(s) | Coupon Search |
| Supposed Functionality | This app supposedly allows people to search for various coupons. |
| Promoted URLs | searchforcoupons-svc.org and searchforcoupons-serp.org |
| Serving IP Address (searchforcoupons-svc.org) | 104.27.168.184 |
| 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. |
Browser hijacker examples
Other examples of PUAs that are also classified as browser hijackers include SearchAnything, Templates Here Tab and Shield My Searches.
These apps supposedly deliver various features, improve the browsing experience, etc., however, most do not operate as promised and are designed only to promote fake search engines and collect data. Browser hijackers can cause serious problems and should be uninstalled immediately.
How did Coupon Search install on my computer?
People often download and install browser hijackers (or other potentially unwanted apps) through the set-ups of other programs. I.e., when they are included into various download/installation set-ups.
In most cases, information relating to these apps can only be found in settings such as "Custom", "Advanced" and so on, however, many users fail to check and change these settings when they download and install their programs. This grants included PUAs permission to be downloaded and installed together with other, regular software.
This PUA distribution method is known as "bundling". Additionally, unwanted downloads and installations can be caused by clicking deceptive advertisements that execute certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Software should not be downloaded or installed through third party downloaders or installers, Peer-to-Peer networks such as eMule, torrent clients, unofficial websites, and other channels of this kind. You are advised to download programs using only official websites and direct download links.
Furthermore, set-ups that contain "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings should be checked for offers to download or install unwanted software. Decline such offers before completing the process. Do not click intrusive ads that appear on dubious web pages, since they often redirect users to untrusted sites or download and install unwanted apps.
Remove, all unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins and add-ons that are installed on the browser, and programs of this kind that are installed on the computer immediately. If your computer is already infected with Coupon Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Coupon Search redirects to search.yahoo.com through searchforcoupons-svc.org (GIF):
Website promoting Coupon Search browser hijacker:
Notification stating that Coupon Search can read and change data (on Chrome):
Notification stating that Coupon Search can read and access data (on Firefox):
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 Coupon Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Coupon Search application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove searchforcoupons-svc.org redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Coupon Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove searchforcoupons-svc.org homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove searchforcoupons-svc.org redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Coupon Search 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, "Coupon Search"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the searchforcoupons-svc.org website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Coupon Search 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://searchforcoupons-serp.org 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 "Coupon Search".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchforcoupons-svc.org 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 "Coupon Search" 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 "Coupon Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.searchforcoupons-serp.org) 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 "searchforcoupons-serp.org", 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 searchforcoupons-svc.org 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 "Coupon Search", 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 "Coupon Search", remove hxxps://s.searchforcoupons-serp.org 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: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with searchforcoupons-svc.org 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 searchforcoupons-svc.org 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 searchforcoupons-svc.org redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit searchforcoupons-svc.org website?
The motivation behind developing software that generates rogue redirects is profit. In other words, the developers profit through redirects to sites like searchforcoupons-svc.org.
Is visiting searchforcoupons-svc.org a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like searchforcoupons-svc.org usually collect (and sell) information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are mainly distributed via online scams, bundled installers, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, intrusive ads, and spam browser notifications.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Coupon Search browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might not be ideal, particularly when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, this software may deny access to removal-related settings or undo user-made changes. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion