How to remove the VIPSearch Pro browser hijacker?

What is VIPSearch Pro?

VIPSearch Pro is a piece of dubious software, endorsed as a tool offering a personalized search engine for professional use. It is classified as a browser hijacker due to the modifications it makes to browsers in order to promote (via vipsearch.top) the vipsearch.guru illegitimate search engine.

Additionally, VIPSearch Pro has data tracking abilities, which are used to spy on users' browsing activity. Since most users download/install browser hijackers inadvertently, they are also categorized as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

Browser hijackers primarily target popular browsers with large user bases. They assign illegitimate web searcher addresses as browsers' homepage, new tab/window, and default search engine URLs. VIPSearch Pro changes the aforementioned settings to vipsearch.top.

These seemingly minor alterations seriously affect the browsing experience. To elaborate, every new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar - redirect to vipsearch.top, which in turn redirects to the vipsearch.guru web searcher.

Fake search engines are rarely able to generate search results, so they tend to redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other legitimate ones.

The vipsearch.guru search engine is capable of providing search results, but they are inaccurate and may promote untrustworthy and/or malicious websites and content.

Browser hijackers can restrict/deny access to the browser settings and/or undo any permitted changes made. Therefore, restoring an affected browser is impossible without removing the software hijacking it. Furthermore, VIPSearch Pro can track data, and this is typical of browser hijackers.

They monitor browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, etc.) and gather vulnerable information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations, and even personally identifiable details). Browser hijacker developers monetize the collected data by sharing it with and/or selling it to third-parties.

In summary, presence of data-tracking software on devices - can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	VIPSearch Pro
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	VIPSearch Pro, VIPSearch, VIP
Supposed Functionality	Customized web searches
Promoted URL	(via vipsearch.top) vipsearch.guru
Serving IP Address (vipsearch.top)	5.149.249.217
Serving IP Address (vipsearch.guru)	5.149.248.86
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.

Secured Browser Search, Any Search Pro, EasySearchConverter, and Private Home are some examples of browser hijackers. They appear legitimate and useful. However, despite how good their functionalities may sound - they seldom work as promised. In most cases, the features are utterly nonoperational.

This is true of practically all PUAs. The only goal of unwanted apps is to generate revenue at user expense. Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can hijack browsers, cause redirects, run intrusive advertisement campaigns (adware), and gather sensitive and personal information.

How did VIPSearch Pro install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed via downloaders/installers of other programs. This false marketing technique of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is named "bundling".

Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., skipped steps and sections, used pre-set options, etc.) increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system.

Intrusive adverts proliferate PUAs as well. Upon being clicked, the ads can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations. PUAs may also have "official" promotional/download webpages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is recommended to research software prior to download/installation and/or purchase. Furthermore, only official and verified download channels must be used.

Untrustworthy sources, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer deceptive and/or bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is important to read terms, study all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, functions, and other additions.

Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate and harmless; however, they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

In case of encounters with ads and/or redirects of this kind, the system must be checked and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - removed from it without delay.

If your computer is already infected with VIPSearch Pro, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of vipsearch.top redirecting to vipsearch.guru (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 VIPSearch Pro?
• STEP 1. Uninstall VIPSearch Pro application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove VIPSearch Pro browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove vipsearch.guru homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove vipsearch.guru redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
• STEP 6. Remove vipsearch.guru redirect from Internet Explorer.

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

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the vipsearch.guru website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

VIPSearch Pro browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

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 "VIPSearch Pro" 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 "VIPSearch Pro" (or "VIPSearch", or simply "VIP"), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.vipsearch.guru) 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 "vipsearch.guru", 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 vipsearch.guru 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "VIPSearch Pro", 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 "VIPSearch Pro", remove hxxp://vipsearch.guru 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 vipsearch.guru 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 vipsearch.guru 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.

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://vipsearch.guru 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 "VIPSearch Pro".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the vipsearch.guru 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.

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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