How to uninstall the Wowsearch browser hijacker

What is Wowsearch?

Wowsearch hijacks browsers by changing certain browser settings to search.wowsearch.net (the address of a fake search engine).

Commonly, apps of this type track and record information relating to users' browsing habits, and other details. People often download and install browser hijackers inadvertently and, therefore, Wowsearch and other apps of this type are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Wowsearch assigns search.wowsearch.net as the address of the new tab, homepage, and default search engine, so that users are forced to visit this site when they open a browser, enter search queries into the URL bar, or open a new tab. When used to search, search.wowsearch.net redirects to google.com - it simply displays results generated by Google.

That is the reason why this search engine is considered fake and useless. To remove its address from the aforementioned browser settings,  Wowsearch must be uninstalled, otherwise this app will reassign its settings after each attempt to modify them.

Apps of this type should be removed, since they often collect browsing data such as IP addresses, entered search queries, URLs of opened web pages, geolocations, etc. Some browser hijackers are capable of recording sensitive, personal details as well.

Furthermore, the developers could misuse the data to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), or in other ways. Users with browser hijackers (including Wowsearch) installed on browsers and/or operating systems could experience problems with online privacy and browsing safety.

Depending on the gathered data, it could also be misused to steal identities. You are advised never to download and install Wowsearch or other apps of this type (browser hijackers).

Threat Summary:

Name	Wowsearch
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Browser Extension(s)	Wowsearch
Supposed Functionality	This browser hijacker supposedly improves the browsing experience.
Promoted URL	search.wowsearch.net
Serving IP Address (search.wowsearch.net)	13.227.47.60
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. ▼ 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 many browser hijackers on the internet - News Precinct, TiktokSearches and Holy Bible Daily are just some examples.

These apps supposedly include various features, improve the browsing experience, and are useful in other ways, however, they are designed only to promote fake search engines and gather browsing-related details. In summary, most browser hijackers do not operate as advertised and can cause serious problems.

How did Wowsearch install on my computer?

Developers often include PUAs into the download/installation set-ups of other programs as 'additional offers' and hope that users will fail to decline them. In most cases, the offers can be found in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the set-ups. When users download and/install software without checking and changing the settings, they allow included PUAs to infiltrate.

This distribution method of potentially unwanted apps is called "bundling". Additionally, PUAs can be downloaded and installed through deceptive ads that execute certain scripts, however, only when the ads are clicked.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download software and files only from official, trustworthy websites and via direct download links. Third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule), unofficial pages and other similar channels, tools should not be used to download or install software, since they are often monetized by distributing potentially unwanted or even malicious apps.

Check all settings such as "Advanced", "Custom" of the download/installation setup and decline offers to download or install PUAs. Do not click intrusive ads that are displayed on dubious websites. These ads open other untrusted websites or even cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Remove any unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins and add-ons that are installed on the browser, and software of this kind installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with Wowsearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Notification stating that Wowsearch can read and change certain data:

Website promoting Wowsearch browser hijacker:

Scam website promoting Wowsearch 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 Wowsearch?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Wowsearch application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove search.wowsearch.net redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove Wowsearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.wowsearch.net homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove search.wowsearch.net redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Wowsearch 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, "Wowsearch"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the search.wowsearch.net website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Wowsearch 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.wowsearch.net 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 "Wowsearch".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.wowsearch.net 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 "Wowsearch" 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 "Wowsearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.wowsearch.net) 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.wowsearch.net", 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.wowsearch.net 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 "Wowsearch", 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 "Wowsearch", remove hxxp://search.wowsearch.net 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 search.wowsearch.net 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.wowsearch.net 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.

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