How to get rid of the Key Omni browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is Key Omni browser hijacker?
Key Omni is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that hijacks a web browser by changing some of its settings. The purpose of Key Omni is to force users to visit keysearchs.com (use a fake search engine). Most users end up having a browser hijacked by an app like Key Omni inadvertently.
Key Omni browser hijacker in detail
Key Omni sets keysearchs.com as the homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL. Keysearchs.com is a fake search engine that can show results generated by Bing (bing.com), Google (google.com), or another search engine. It depends on the user's geolocation.
An important detail about fake search engines is that they can promote untrustworthy websites (include links to shady pages in search results) or display results generated by other questionable search engines. Therefore, it is strongly recommended not to use keysearchs.com or other search engines of this kind.
| Name | Key Omni |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Key Omni |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | keysearchs.com |
| Detection Names (keysearchs.com) | ADMINUSLabs (Malicious), Fortinet (Malware), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (keysearchs.com) | 104.21.36.47 |
| 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. |
Browser hijackers in general
A browser hijacker can be designed to gather IP addresses, visited pages, and other information, read and change data on visited pages. Also, it may be capable of accessing sensitive information like passwords. More examples of browser hijackers are GameSearchTech, IncognitoSearchWeb, and QuickTogo.
How did Key Omni install on my computer?
Users often download or install browser hijackers through downloaders or installers for other programs. They end up having their browsers hijacked when they download or install programs without deselecting optional installations. Usually, it can be done in "Manual", "Advanced", or other settings available in downloaders and (or) installers.
Also, users download or install PUAs by clicking on advertisements that can run certain scripts and through fake installers. Most of the fake installers are promoted using deceptive methods, for example, through pages claiming that a computer is infected, installer software needs to be updated, and so on.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Avoid downloading or installing programs using third-party downloaders or installers, unofficial pages, and other sources, tools of this kind. Use official pages and direct links for that. Do not forget to check downloaders and installers for offers to download or install unwanted apps. Also, avoid clicking on ads displayed by shady web pages.
If your computer is already infected with Key Omni, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Keysearchs.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Website promoting Key Omni 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:
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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 Key Omni?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Key Omni application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Key Omni browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove keysearchs.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove keysearchs.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Key Omni 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, "Key Omni"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the keysearchs.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Key Omni 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 "Key Omni" 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 "Key Omni", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.keysearchs.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 "keysearchs.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 keysearchs.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 "Key Omni", 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 "Key Omni", remove hxxp://keysearchs.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 keysearchs.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 keysearchs.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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit keysearchs.com website?
The bigger the count of website visits is, the more money the creators of keysearchs.com make.
Is visiting keysearchs.com a threat to my privacy?
It may be. Websites like keysearchs.com can be designed to gather various information about their visitors. For example, browsing-related data or even personal details.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
It is popular to distribute browser hijackers using social engineering tactics, such as browser notifications, intrusive advertisements. Also, apps of this type are distributed through downloaders and installers for other programs.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Key Omni browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate Key Omni and other existing browser-hijacking apps. If there are multiple browser hijackers present, then they might be capable of reinstalling one another. Also, apps of this type are capable of preventing users from modifying the affected settings. For these reasons, all browser hijackers have to be eliminated at once.
Outstanding!
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