How to remove the GoToMovieSearch browser hijacker?

What is GoToMovieSearch?

GoToMovieSearch is a piece of rogue software categorized as a browser hijacker. It operates by promoting the gotomoviesearch.com illegitimate search engine. Furthermore, most browser hijackers spy on users' browsing activity; hence, GoToMovieSearch likely does as well. Since most users download/install browser hijackers inadvertently, they are also classified as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

GoToMovieSearch in detail

Browser hijackers mainly target browsers with large user bases. Following successful infiltration, this software assigns fake web searcher addresses (e.g., gotomoviesearch.com) as browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs. These alterations may appear minor, yet they seriously affect the browsing experience. To elaborate, with GoToMovieSearch installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and web searches done via the URL bar - redirect to the gotomoviesearch.com web searcher.

Fake search engines rarely can provide search results, so they tend to redirect (or cause redirection chains leading) to Yahoo, Google, Bing, and other legitimate ones. This applies to gotomoviesearch.com as well. Its users' geolocations determine where this web searcher redirects. It has been observed redirecting to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com) and searchlee.com (though it might redirect to others). The latter is deemed to be illegitimate, and while searchlee.com can generate search results - they are inaccurate and may endorse untrustworthy/malicious content.

Browser hijackers can undo any changes users try to make to their browsers. In other cases, this software ensures persistence by restricting or denying access to the browser's settings. Therefore, unless the browser hijacker is removed - recovering an affected browser is impossible.

Most browser hijackers have data tracking abilities. Targeted information includes (but is not limited to): visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, IP addresses/ geolocations, and personally identifiable details. Browser hijacker developers monetize the gathered data by sharing it with and/or selling it to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of data-tracking software on devices can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. To protect device integrity and user safety, it is strongly recommended to eliminate all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	GoToMovieSearch
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	GoToMovieSearch
Promoted URL	gotomoviesearch.com
Serving IP Address (gotomoviesearch.com)	104.21.27.78
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.

Browser hijackers in general

PDFConverterSearchOnline, My Note, Quick WordCount, and DigitalMusicSearch are some examples of browser hijackers. They appear legitimate and useful. This software typically offers a broad range of features. However, despite how handy the functionalities may sound - they are usually nonoperational. This is true of nearly all PUAs.

Other types of unwanted applications lure users into download/installation with promises of various functions as well. The sole goal of these apps is to generate revenue for the developers; hence, functionality and user privacy are irrelevant. PUAs are designed to hijack browsers, run intrusive advertisement campaigns (adware), cause redirects to unreliable/malicious sites, and collect private information.

How did GoToMovieSearch install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed via download/installation setups of other programs. "Bundling" is the term that defines this deceptive marketing method of pre-packing ordinary software with unwanted or malicious additions. Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., ignored terms, skipped steps, used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the device, thereby endangering the system with potential infections.

PUAs are also spread through intrusive adverts. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user permission. Some PUAs may have "official" promotional/download pages as well.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to research software before download/installation and/or purchase. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and trustworthy sources. Since dubious download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - often offer bundled and harmful content.

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

It is just as important to exercise caution when browsing. Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate and innocuous; however, they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.). In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the device must be inspected and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with GoToMovieSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of gotomoviesearch.com redirecting to the Yahoo search engine (GIF):

Appearance of gotomoviesearch.com redirecting to the searchlee.com fake search engine (GIF):

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

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

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

GoToMovieSearch 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 "GoToMovieSearch" 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 "GoToMovieSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.gotomoviesearch.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 "gotomoviesearch.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 gotomoviesearch.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 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 "GoToMovieSearch", 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 "GoToMovieSearch", remove hxxp://gotomoviesearch.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 gotomoviesearch.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 gotomoviesearch.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.

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://gotomoviesearch.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 "GoToMovieSearch".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the gotomoviesearch.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.

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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