How to remove the JustAdblockSearch browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is JustAdblockSearch?
JustAdblockSearch is a browser hijacker that modifies browser settings to promote a fake search engine (justadblocksearch.com). It is common for browser hijackers to be promoted and (or) distributed using questionable methods. Thus, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
JustAdblockSearch browser hijacker in detail
JustAdblockSearch sets justadblocksearch.com as the default search engine, homepage and new tab page. Justadblocksearch.com is a fake search engine that shows results generated by Yahoo, nearbyme.io (another questionable search engine) and possibly other search engines. It can be used to promote shady websites.
It is also possible that JustAdblockSearch collects browsing-related and (or) personal information. The same applies to justadblocksearch.com. Thus, it is advisable not to have JustAdblockSearch installed or use justadblocksearch.com (or any other fake search engine).
Name | JustAdblockSearch |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Browser Extension(s) | JustAdblockSearch |
Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
Promoted URL | justadblocksearch.com |
Detection Names (justadblocksearch.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 are monetized by using them as tools to promote fake search engines. Typically, they are useless to their users and can cause problems related to online privacy, browsing safety, or similar issues. More examples of browser hijackers are PDFFreeSearch, JustSearchMaps, and Key word.
How did JustAdblockSearch install on my computer?
Browser hijackers are distributed through downloaders and installers for other programs, shady ads, fake installers, and in similar ways. Users rarely download or install them intentionally. Downloaders and installers used to distribute browser-hijacking apps have certain settings.
Browsers get hijacked when users install programs without changing "Advanced", "Custom", or other settigns available in their installers. Advertisements download or install unwanted apps when they are designed to run certain scripts and users click on them.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Use official pages and direct links to download files and programs. Do not trust advertisements appearing on questionable websites. Deselect unwanted apps before downloading or installing programs (it can be done using the settings mentioned in the previous section).
If your computer is already infected with JustAdblockSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Justadblocksearch.com redirects to nearbyme.io (GIF):
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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Quick menu:
- What is JustAdblockSearch?
- STEP 1. Uninstall JustAdblockSearch application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove JustAdblockSearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove justadblocksearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove justadblocksearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
JustAdblockSearch 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, "JustAdblockSearch"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the justadblocksearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
JustAdblockSearch 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 "JustAdblockSearch" 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 "JustAdblockSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.justadblocksearch.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 "justadblocksearch.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 justadblocksearch.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 "JustAdblockSearch", 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 "JustAdblockSearch", remove hxxp://justadblocksearch.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 justadblocksearch.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 justadblocksearch.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 justadblocksearch.com website?
The amount of revenue generated from justadblocksearch.com depends on the number of website visitors. Thus, the creators of this page seek to make the traffic of this website as high as possible.
Is visiting justadblocksearch.com a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes. A page like justadblocksearch.com can be used as a tool to collect information about the visitor.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser-hijacking apps often are distributed/promoted using social engineering tactics (for example, browser notifications, intrusive advertisements), questionable websites, downloaders/installers for other programs.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove JustAdblockSearch browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate existing browser-hijacking applications (including JustAdblockSearch browser hijacker). If there are multiple apps of this type present, they have to be removed at once using specialized software. They can be capable of reinstalling one another and keeping their settings unchangeable while they are present.
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