How to remove apps that promote cosappzsearch.online and similar addresses

What is cosappzsearch.online?

cosappzsearch.online is a useless, fake search engine. Generally, these search engines are promoted through potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) called browser hijackers. Apps of this type promote fake search engines by changing certain browser settings.

Commonly, they gather browsing data and other information. People often download and install PUAs inadvertently.

Browser hijackers affect browsers by modifying settings such the address of the homepage, default search engine and new tab. In this case, they are assigned to cosappzsearch.online. Typically, the main purpose of browser hijackers is to force users to visit a specific address when they open a browser, new tab, or enter search queries into the URL bar.

Typically, the only way to remove the address from the aforementioned settings, or change it to another, is to uninstall the browser hijacker that originally assigned it. Fake search engines do not generate unique results (or they generate misleading results).

Note that cosappzsearch.online redirects users to search.yahoo.com and simply displays results generated by Yahoo. Furthermore, most browser hijackers change browser settings and gather data. Usually, apps of this type target details such as users' IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites, and other browsing data.

In some cases, browser hijackers collect sensitive, confidential information. Furthermore, the data could be sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue in other ways. In summary, having a browser hijacker installed on the browser and/or operating system could cause problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy, or even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	cosappzsearch.online browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Supposed Functionality	Fake search engines supposed to improve browsing experience.
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine.
Serving IP Address	104.18.62.209
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. ▼ 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.

Some examples of other fake search engines include searchsafelypro.com, wwmiox.xyz and lpxsx.xyz. Usually, they are promoted through browser hijackers that users download or install unintentionally. PUAs do not deliver any real value or operate as advertised - they simply cause problems. Therefore, remove any installed browser hijackers immediately.

How did cosappzsearch.online install on my computer?

Generally, users download and install PUAs by clicking advertisements designed to execute certain scripts, or by downloading/installing software that has PUAs included into the set-ups. Commonly, PUAs are distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

They are included into the download/installation set-ups as 'additional offers'. Typically, these offers can be declined through "Advanced", "Custom" or other settings, however, many users leave these settings unchecked and unchanged. By leaving default settings unchanged, they allow additional PUAs to be downloaded and installed together with the required software.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised against using third party software downloaders/installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (such as torrent clients, eMule, etc.), dubious, unofficial websites or other similar channels to download or install software - they are often used to distribute PUAs and, in some cases, even malicious apps.

Files and programs should be downloaded only from official, trustworthy websites and via direct links. Check set-ups for "Advanced", "Custom" settings and decline offers to download or install additionally-included, unwanted apps.

Do not click intrusive advertisements that appear on untrusted pages, since they can open potentially malicious sites or cause unwanted downloads/installations. Remove any suspicious, unwanted, unknown extensions, plug-ins and add-ons installed on the browser, and programs of this kind installed on the operating system.

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

cosappzsearch.online redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):

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

cosappzsearch.online 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 cosappzsearch.online website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

cosappzsearch.online 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://cosappzsearch.online 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 "cosappzsearch.online".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the cosappzsearch.online 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.cosappzsearch.online) 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 "cosappzsearch.online", 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 cosappzsearch.online 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://cosappzsearch.online 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 cosappzsearch.online 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 cosappzsearch.online 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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