Removing Duty-Search browser hijacker and the redirects it causes

What is Duty-Search?

Duty-Search is a rogue browser extension, which our researchers have determined to be a browser hijacker. On our test system, it modified browser settings to promote the duty-search.xyz fake search engine.

Duty-Search browser hijacker overview

Duty-Search sets its search engine as browser's default, and their homepage and new tab/window URLs. Hence, when our researchers attempted to open a new browser tab/window and performed a web search via the URL bar - they experienced a redirect to duty-search.xyz.

Fraudulent search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they lead users to genuine ones. In the case of duty-search.xyz - it redirected to the Bing search engine (possibly elsewhere, as the redirects can be dictated by various factors like users' geolocation). However, at the time of research, due to some unmet specifications or other issues - the Bing search engine (as promoted by duty-search.xyz) could not generate search results.

We have observed from researching browser hijackers that they typically use persistence-ensuring techniques (to prevent browser recovery) and have data tracking abilities. Hence, it is possible that these functionalities apply to Duty-Search.

Browser hijackers tend to target browsing and search engine histories, log-in credentials (usernames/passwords), personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The developers of hijacker software monetize gathered information by selling it to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of software like Duty-Search on systems can result in severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Duty-Search
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Duty-Search
Promoted URL	duty-search.xyz
Detection Names (duty-search.xyz)	Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), (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 hijacker examples

PremiumSearch, PDFConverterSearchNow, Put Darker, and Easy-Search are merely a few examples of the browser hijackers we have analyzed.

We can describe this software as appearing harmless and offering handy features, which are rarely operational. Due to browser hijackers' legitimate and useful appearance, we advise researching products to avoid installing this harmful software.

How did Duty-Search install on my computer?

While inspecting ads delivered via rogue advertising networks, our researchers encountered a page pushing Duty-Search. However, promotional and scam sites are not the only source of browser hijackers.

This software is also spread by intrusive advertisements. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without permission.

Software bundling (i.e., packing regular programs with undesirable additions) is used to proliferate browser hijackers as well. Download from untrustworthy channels and rushed installation processes - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We advise downloading only from official and verified sources. Dubious download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc. - commonly offer bundled and dangerous software/media. When downloading/installing, we also recommend -reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additions.

It is just as important to exercise caution when browsing. Intrusive adverts look legitimate yet redirect to questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

In case of encounters with such ads/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected. If your computer is already infected with Duty-Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Screenshot of the permissions asked by Duty-Search browser hijacker:

Appearance of duty-search.xyz redirecting to the Bing search engine (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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner 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 Duty-Search?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Duty-Search application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Duty-Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove duty-search.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove duty-search.xyz redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Duty-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, "Duty-Search"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Duty-Search browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Duty-Search browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

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 "Duty-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 "Duty-Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.duty-search.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 "duty-search.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 duty-search.xyz 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 "Duty-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 "Duty-Search", remove hxxp://duty-search.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 duty-search.xyz 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 duty-search.xyz 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 duty-search.xyz website?

Cyber criminals (i.e., fake search engine and browser hijacker developers) generate revenue through these redirects.

Is visiting duty-search.xyz a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Sites like duty-search.xyz typically collect and sell information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are proliferated using various questionable distribution techniques, e.g., promoted by deceptive browser notifications/ intrusive ads, software bundling, online scams, unofficial and freeware download websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, fake updaters, etc.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Duty-Search browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. It is noteworthy that manual removal might not be a perfect solution when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. This software can be capable of re-installing one another. Additionally, some settings may be inaccessible while browser hijackers are present. Therefore, it is crucial to remove hijacker software thoroughly and all at once.

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