How to remove eadblock Search Manager and redirects to q.eadblock.com
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is eadblock Search Manager?
eadblock Search Manager is software classified as a browser hijacker. Software within this classification operates by making modifications to browser settings to promote certain search engines. Browser hijackers typically promote fake search engines that are unable to provide unique results.
Additionally, browser hijackers have data tracking capabilities, which are used to collect information relating to browsing activity. It is likely that eadblock Search Manager also has such capabilities. Due to the dubious techniques used to proliferate browser hijackers, they are also classified as Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs).
Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and other popular browsers with large user bases are common targets of browser hijackers. They reassign the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of bogus search engines - eadblock Search Manager makes these changes to promote q.eadblock.com.
Therefore, with eadblock Search Manager installed, each new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar redirect to q.eadblock.com. The search engines promoted by browser hijackers are seldom capable of providing unique results, and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate sites.
The web searcher of eadblock Search Manager (q.eadblock.com) is no exception to this, and simply redirects to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com). Furthermore, browser hijackers usually reset any changes users attempt to make to their browsers and/or restrict/deny access to the settings.
As mentioned, most browser hijackers can track data. They can record browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and collect sensitive information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The gathered data is likely to contain personally identifiable information.
Furthermore, the developers often share/sell this information to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). In summary, the presence of data-tracking software on browsers/systems can result in serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft.
To ensure device integrity and user safety, you are strongly advised to eliminate all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
Name | eadblock Search Manager |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab. |
Browser Extension(s) | eadblock Search Manager, eadblock |
Promoted URL | q.eadblock.com |
Serving IP Address (q.eadblock.com) | 37.48.68.241 |
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. |
Convert Files Tools, Email Pro Hub, Streaming Lab Tab and Nebula Search are some examples of other browser hijackers. They may seem legitimate and offer a wide variety of "useful" functionality, however, the features promised are seldom operational. This is true of most PUAs.
The sole purpose of this unwanted software is to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs can hijack browsers, force-open untrusted or malicious websites, run intrusive advertisement campaigns and collect private information.
How did eadblock Search Manager install on my computer?
PUAs are distributed via the download/installation set-ups of other software. This deceptive marketing technique of packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling".
Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system. Some PUAs have "official" promotional web pages from which they can be downloaded and/or purchased. Intrusive advertisements proliferate these applications as well.
Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
You are advised to research all products prior to download/installation and/or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources, since dubious download channels including unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders commonly offer deceptive and bundled content.
When downloading/installing, it is important to read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to highly dubious sites (e.g. gambling, adult-dating, pornography, and so on).
If you experience these ads or redirects, inspect all devices and immediately remove any suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with eadblock Search Manager, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
eadblock Search Manager browser hijacker asking for permissions:
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Quick menu:
- What is eadblock Search Manager?
- STEP 1. Uninstall eadblock Search Manager application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove q.eadblock.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove eadblock Search Manager browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove q.eadblock.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove q.eadblock.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
eadblock Search Manager 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, "eadblock Search Manager"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the q.eadblock.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
eadblock Search Manager 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://q.eadblock.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 "eadblock Search Manager".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the q.eadblock.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 "eadblock Search Manager" 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 "eadblock Search Manager" (or simply "eadblock"), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.q.eadblock.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 "q.eadblock.com", 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 q.eadblock.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 "eadblock Search Manager", 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 "eadblock Search Manager", remove hxxp://q.eadblock.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: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with q.eadblock.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 q.eadblock.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.
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