How to remove Anywhere Search browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What type of app is Anywhere Search?
Anywhere Search is a browser hijacker that changes some of the browser's settings to anywheresearch.com (promotes a fake search engine). Also, it adds the "Managed by your organization" feature. It is unusual for apps of this type to be installed intentionally. Thus, Anywhere Search falls into the category of potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Anywhere Search browser hijacker in detail
Anywhere Search changes the default search engine, new tab page and homepage to anywheresearch.com. This address/fake search engine shows search results generated by Google, Bing, and possibly other search engines. It might promote untrustworthy pages (it may include those pages in its search results or redirect users to them).
A removal guide for apps like Anywhere Search and fake search engines are provided below. It is worth mentioning that fake search engines and browser hijackers can be designed to collect information about their users.
| Name | Anywhere Search |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Detection Names (App Installer) | Avast (Win32:PWSX-gen [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Jaik.45703), ESET-NOD32 (Multiple Detections), Kaspersky (UDS:Trojan.Win32.Cryprar.gen), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/Sabsik.FL.B!ml), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Browser Extension(s) | Anywhere Search |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | anywheresearch.com |
| Detection Names (anywheresearch.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| 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
Browser hijackers modify the browser's settings to push users to browse the Internet using fake search engines. Most browser hijackers share the same qualities. More examples of browser hijackers are My Togo, Smart Search, and HistCleaner.
How did Anywhere Search install on my computer?
Users often end up having their browsers hijacked when they install programs without deselecting optional installations. Downloaders and installers used to distribute browser hijackers, or other PUAs have "Manual", "Advanced", or other settings that can be used to deselect unwanted apps.
In other cases, users download or install PUAs by clicking on advertisements designed to certain scripts and through fake installers downloaded from untrustworthy (usually, deceptive) pages.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Unexpected/unwanted downloads and installations can be avoided by using only official pages and direct links to download files and programs. Two more ways to avoid it is to check downloaders and installers for settings (and decline unwanted offers before downloading or installing programs), and not to click on ads that appear on shady pages.
If your computer is already infected with Anywhere Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Anywheresearch.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Browser notification providing information about Anywhere Search 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 Anywhere Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Anywhere Search application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Anywhere Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove anywheresearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove anywheresearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Anywhere Search 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, "Anywhere Search"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the anywheresearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Anywhere Search 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 "Anywhere Search" 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 "Anywhere Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.anywheresearch.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 "anywheresearch.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 anywheresearch.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 "Anywhere Search", 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 "Anywhere Search", remove hxxp://anywheresearch.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 anywheresearch.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 anywheresearch.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 anywheresearch.com website?
The bigger number of anywheresearch.com visits is, the more revenue individuals behind it generate.
Is visiting anywheresearch.com a threat to my privacy?
Anywheresearch.com and other pages of this type (fake search engines) can be designed to collect information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are often distributed using social engineering tactics (for example, browser notifications, intrusive advertisements), through downloaders and installers for other programs.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Anywhere Search browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate Anywhere Search or other browser hijackers. When several apps of this type are present, all of them have to be removed at once. Otherwise, they might reinstall one another and (or) not allow to undo the changes that they have made.
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