How to eliminate the GoCouponSearch browser hijacker?

What is GoCouponSearch?

GoCouponSearch is a browser hijacker promoting the gocouponsearch.com fake search engine. Since most users unintentionally download/install software products of this type, they are also categorized as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).

GoCouponSearch browser hijacker overview

GoCouponSearch reassigns browsers' default search engine, new tab/window, and homepage URLs - to gocouponsearch.com. Hence, with it installed: web searches done via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened - redirect to this fake web searcher.

Illegitimate search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to genuine ones. Gocouponsearch.com is not an exception; it redirects to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com) or to the fake searchlee.com search engine (possibly others). While searchlee.com can provide search results, they are inaccurate and may endorse dubious/malicious content.

Furthermore, browser hijackers usually use persistence-ensuring methods to prevent users from recovering their browsers.

What is more, most browser hijackers have data tracking abilities. This applies to GoCouponSearch as well. Information of interest includes: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc. The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of data-tracking software on devices can result in serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	GoCouponSearch
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	GoCouponSearch
Promoted URL	gocouponsearch.com
Detection Names (gocouponsearch.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. ▼ 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

Venus Tab, Anywhere Search, and SecureTab are a couple examples of browser hijackers. They appear legitimate and offer "handy" features that seldom work.

In fact, this is true of nearly all PUAs. The sole purpose of unwanted apps is to generate profit at user expense. PUAs are designed to hijack browsers, cause redirects, run intrusive advert campaigns (adware), and gather vulnerable information.

How did GoCouponSearch install on my computer?

Some PUAs (e.g., GoCouponSearch) have "official" download webpages. These applications are also spread by using the "bundling" marketing method - packing regular programs with various additions. Rushed downloads/installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.

Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the adverts can execute scripts to download/install this software stealthily.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to research software and download from official and verified channels. Untrustworthy sources, e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. - commonly offer bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, explore available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from all additions. Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate, yet they redirect to unreliable/questionable sites (e.g., adult-dating, pornography, gambling, 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 GoCouponSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

GoCouponSearch browser hijacker asking for various permissions:

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

Website promoting GoCouponSearch browser hijacker;

IMPORTANT NOTE! This deceptive site asks to enable web browser notifications:

Therefore, before commencing, perform these steps:

Google Chrome (PC):

• Click the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and select "Settings"
• Scroll down to the "Privacy and security" section, select "Site settings" and then "Notifications"
• Click three dots on the right hand side of each suspicious URL and select "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)

Google Chrome (Android):

• Click on the Menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the screen and tap "Settings"
• Scroll down, tap on "Site settings" and then "Notifications"
• In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and tap on them one-by-one
• Once the pop-up shows up, select either "Block" or "Remove" (if you tap "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)

Mozilla Firefox:

• Click the Menu button (three bars) on the right upper corner of the screen
• Select "Settings" and click on "Privacy & Security" in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen
• Scroll down to the "Permissions" section and click the "Settings" button next to "Notifications"
• In the opened window, locate all suspicious URLs and block them using the drop-down menu or either remove them by clicking "Remove Website" at the bottom of the window (if you click "Remove Website" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)

Microsoft Edge:

• Click the menu button (three dots) on the right upper corner of the Edge window and select "Settings"
• Click on "Cookies and site permissions" in the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen and select "Notifications"
• Click three dots on the right hand side of each suspicious URL under "Allow" section and click "Block" or "Remove" (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)

Safari (Mac):

• Click "Safari" button on the left upper corner of the screen and select "Preferences..."
• Select the "Websites" tab and then select "Notifications" section on the left pane
• Check for suspicious URLs and apply the "Deny" option using the drop-down menu or either remove them by clicking "Remove" at the bottom of the window (if you click "Remove" and visit the malicious site once more, it will ask to enable notifications again)

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Quick menu:

• What is GoCouponSearch?
• STEP 1. Uninstall GoCouponSearch application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove GoCouponSearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove gocouponsearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove gocouponsearch.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

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

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

GoCouponSearch 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 "GoCouponSearch" 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 "GoCouponSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.gocouponsearch.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 "gocouponsearch.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 gocouponsearch.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 "GoCouponSearch", 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 "GoCouponSearch", remove hxxp://gocouponsearch.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 gocouponsearch.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 gocouponsearch.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 to visit gocouponsearch.com website?

Users are forced to visit gocouponsearch.com, as the visits generate revenue for the developers of browser hijackers promoting it.

Is visiting gocouponsearch.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites like gocouponsearch.com usually collect information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are distributed through software bundling, online scams, unofficial and freeware sites, deceptive browser notifications/ intrusive advertisements, and other dubious methods.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove GoCouponSearch browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning devices and eliminating the browser-hijacking applications present. However, manual removal might not be a perfect solution when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In such cases, when one is eliminated - the others may re-install it. Additionally, this software can restrict or deny access to removal-related settings. Therefore, all browser hijackers have to be removed thoroughly and at once.

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