Uninstall apps promoting ossearch.online

What is ossearch.online?

ossearch.online is one of many fake search engines that do not generate unique results. Generally, their associated addresses (URLs) are promoted through potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) that are classified as browser hijackers.

In most cases, apps of this type promote fake search engines by changing browser settings and collecting browsing-related (and other) information. Browser hijackers are categorized as PUAs, since people often download and install them inadvertently.

Most browser hijackers promote fake search engine URLs by changing settings such as address of the homepage, default search engine and new tab. They force users to visit certain URLs (in this case, ossearch.online) when they open a browser (new window), new tab and/or enter search queries into the URL bar.

Note that search engines promoted by browser hijackers can display misleading results. This fake search engine displays results generated by Yahoo and redirects users to search.yahoo.com.

To remove ossearch.online from browser settings, users must first uninstall the browser hijacker that originally changed them to this address, otherwise the PUA will reassign the settings after each attempt is made to modify them. This, however, it is not the only reason to uninstall browser hijackers.

These apps often collect browsing data such as IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations, and other data of this kind. Furthermore, they can also record personal, sensitive details. The data is sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue in other ways.

Users who have these apps installed on browsers and/or operating systems risk becoming victims of identity theft, experiencing problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy, and other issues. Therefore, you are advised against downloading or installing these apps.

Threat Summary:

Name	ossearch.online browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Supposed Functionality	This fake search engine supposedly generates unique, accurate results.
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine.
Serving IP Address	104.24.125.83
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.

The internet is full of fake search engines similar to ossearch.online. Some more examples are myappsclub.net, apxs.xyz and searchsafelypro.com. Generally, these addresses appear in the aforementioned browser settings due to installed browser hijackers.

Commonly, apps of this type are advertised as useful and legitimate, and supposedly improve the browsing experience, etc, however, most do not deliver any real value or operate as advertised. Furthermore, they can be the reason behind serious problems.

How did ossearch.online install on my computer?

Typically, users download and install PUAs through deceptive advertisements or together with other (usually free) software. Commonly, developers distribute PUAs using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". I.e., by including the apps into the download/installation set-ups of other programs as 'additional offers'.

These offers are usually mentioned in "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar settings. Many users download and install their software without checking and changing these settings, thereby allowing included PUAs to also be downloaded and installed. Clicking intrusive ads can cause downloads/installations when they execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

PUAs are distributed through Peer-to-Peer networks (for example, torrent clients, eMule), unofficial websites, third party downloaders, installers and other channels/tools of this kind. Therefore, they should not be used to download or install software. Software and files should be downloaded from official web pages and through direct links.

Check all download and installation settings such as "Custom" and "Advanced" and decline offers to download or install potentially unwanted applications, before completing the process. Do not click advertisements that appear on dubious web pages, since these tend to open other dubious websites or cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Remove any unwanted, suspicious extensions, add-ons and plug-ins 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.

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

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

ossearch.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://ossearch.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 "ossearch.online".

Optional method:

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