How to eliminate redirects to speedsearch.xyz and the software causing them?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is speedsearch.xyz?
Speedsearch.xyz is the address of a fake search engine. Typically, such web searchers are promoted by PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications) classified as browser hijackers. It is noteworthy that both illegitimate search engines and the software endorsing them - often spy on users' browsing activity.
How do browser hijackers promote speedsearch.xyz?
Fake web searcher addresses (e.g., speedsearch.xyz) are assigned as browsers' default search engine, new browser tab/window, and homepage URLs - by browser hijackers. Hence, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - redirect to the promoted address like speedsearch.xyz.
These web searchers usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to legitimate ones. Speedsearch.xyz redirects to the Bing (bing.com) search engine (possibly others).
Furthermore, browser hijackers can reset any changes users attempt to make to their browsers. Alternatively, they can deny access to the browser settings outright. Therefore, restoring a browser is impossible without removing the software hijacking it.
Most browser hijackers monitor browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, etc.) and gather sensitive data extracted from it (IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc.). The collected information is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
In summary, the presence of data-tracking software on devices can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | speedsearch.xyz browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Detection Names | alphaMountain.ai (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 198.54.120.198 |
| 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. |
Fake search engines and browser hijackers in general
Musttrust.xyz, search1.me, peatea.xyz, and ctcodeinfo.com are some examples of fraudulent search engines, and HistCleaner, Key Omni, TopADSBlockSearch - of browser hijackers. They appear legitimate and typically offer "useful" functions, which seldom work.
In fact, this applies to nearly all PUAs. Instead of delivering on any promises, unwanted apps can hijack browsers, cause redirects, run intrusive ad campaigns (adware), and gather vulnerable data.
How did speedsearch.xyz promoting software install on my computer?
PUAs are spread using the "bundling" marketing method - packing regular software with unwanted/malicious supplements. Rushed downloads/installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive advertisements are used to distribute PUAs as well. Upon being clicked, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent. Select PUAs have "official" promotional/download webpages.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to research software and download it from official/verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. - often offer bundled and harmful content.
When downloading/installing, it is advised to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from all additions. Intrusive advertisements appear ordinary, yet they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
In case of encounters with adverts and/or redirects of this kind, the system must be checked and all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - removed from it without delay. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate it.
Appearance of speedsearch.xyz redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is speedsearch.xyz?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove speedsearch.xyz browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove speedsearch.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove speedsearch.xyz redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
speedsearch.xyz redirect 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the speedsearch.xyz website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
speedsearch.xyz redirect 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 all 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, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.speedsearch.xyz) 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 "speedsearch.xyz" 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 speedsearch.xyz browser hijacker, 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 all 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 remove hxxp://speedsearch.xyz 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 speedsearch.xyz browser hijacker 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 speedsearch.xyz browser hijacker, 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 to visit speedsearch.xyz website?
Cyber criminals generate revenue by forcing visitors to visit the speedsearch.xyz website.
Is visiting speedsearch.xyz a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes, it does endanger your privacy. Websites like speedsearch.xyz typically gather information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are spread using social engineering and dubious distribution techniques, e.g., deceptive "official" promotional pages, unofficial and free file-hosting sites, browser notifications/ intrusive advertisements, software bundling, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. It is noteworthy that manual removal may not be ideal in cases when multiple browser hijackers are present. Since after one is removed - the others may re-install it. Furthermore, browser hijackers can restrict or deny access to removal-related settings. Therefore, it is crucial to remove browser hijackers all at once.
Outstanding!
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