How to remove the WebAdblockSearch browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is WebAdblockSearch?
WebAdblockSearch is a browser that changes hijacked browser's settings to webadblocksearch.com - a fake search engine. Most browser-hijacking applications are promoted and distributed using questionable methods. Thus, users download and install them inadvertently. Apps of this kind are called potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
WebAdblockSearch in detail
WebAdblockSearch changes the default search engine, new tab page, and homepage. It sets them to webadblocksearch.com and prevents users from removing this address while it is present. Webadblocksearch.com can redirect to/show results generated by nearbyme.io, search.yahoo.com, and possibly other addresses.
Webadblocksearch.com is a fake search engine that does not generate any results. It is important to mention that webadblocksearch.com could redirect to shady websites or show results generated by untrustworthy search engines (like nearbyme.io).
| Name | WebAdblockSearch |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | WebAdblockSearch |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | webadblocksearch.com |
| Detection Names | 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
A browser hijacker has one main purpose - to change the browser's settings to promote a fake search engine. It also can be used as a tool to collect information about its user. More examples of browser hijackers are QuickConverterz, TheMapsFinderSearch, and Safe Togo. Typically, browser-hijacking apps are useless to their users.
How did WebAdblockSearch install on my computer?
A big part of browser-hijacking apps can be found in downloaders, installers for other programs. Users end up having their web browsers hijacked when they download or install those programs without making changes in "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual", or similar settings that downloaders or installers have.
Also, apps of this kind can be distributed through advertisements designed to run certain scripts or fake installers. Typically, users download fake installers from untrustworthy pages that use deceptive techniques to promote them.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is strongly recommended not to use third-party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks like eMule, torrent clients, questionable websites to download files or programs. Download them from official pages and via direct links. Also, avoid clicking on advertisements that show up on dubious sites.
Deselect unwanted apps before downloading or installing programs that have "Custom", "Advanced" settings, or ticked checkboxes in their downloaders or installers. If your computer is already infected with WebAdblockSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
WebAdblockSearch.com browser hijacker installation setup:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is WebAdblockSearch?
- STEP 1. Uninstall WebAdblockSearch application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove WebAdblockSearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove webadblocksearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove webadblocksearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
WebAdblockSearch 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, "WebAdblockSearch"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the webadblocksearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
WebAdblockSearch 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 "WebAdblockSearch" 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 "WebAdblockSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.webadblocksearch.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 "webadblocksearch.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 webadblocksearch.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 "WebAdblockSearch", 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 "WebAdblockSearch", remove hxxp://webadblocksearch.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 webadblocksearch.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 webadblocksearch.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 webadblocksearch.com website?
The amount of revenue that the creators of webadblocksearch.com generate depends on the count of the website visits. Thus, they seek to make webadblocksearch.com visitable.
Is visiting webadblocksearch.com a threat to my privacy?
It could be a threat if this page would collect information about its users, which is likely.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are distributed using social engineering tactics like browser notifications, intrusive advertisements. They also can be found included in downloaders and installers for other programs.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove WebAdblockSearch browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate browser hijackers. Apps of this type should be removed using specialized software. Especially if there is more than one browser hijacker present. They can be capable of reinstalling one another. Thus, all of them have to be removed at once. Apps like Combo Cleaner can do that.
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