Removing Best-CouponSearch browser hijacker and the redirects it causes
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is Best-CouponSearch?
After installing the Best-CouponSearch browser extension onto our test system, we noticed unwanted redirects to the best-couponsearch.com fake search engine. This was caused by modifications the extension made to browser settings. The described behavior classifies Best-CouponSearch as a browser hijacker.
Best-CouponSearch browser hijacker overview
During Best-CouponSearch's analysis, we observed it causing redirects to best-couponsearch.com when new browser tabs/windows were opened and web searches were performed via the URL bar. Browser hijackers achieve this by assigning the redirect address as browsers' default search engine, new tab/window, and homepage URLs.
Fake search engines usually cannot generate search results and redirect to genuine ones. This also applies to best-couponsearch.com; we have noted it redirecting to Yahoo and nearbyme.io (possibly elsewhere). It is noteworthy that although the latter search engine can provide search results, it is illegitimate. Furthermore, the results provided by nearbyme.io are inaccurate and may endorse unreliable/malicious content.
Most browser hijackers use persistence-ensuring functionalities to prevent browser recovery. What is more, Best-CouponSearch likely has data tracking abilities - since in our experience - this software type usually does.
Browser hijackers monitor browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, etc.) and gather sensitive information extracted from it (IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc.). The collected data is monetized through sale to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of software like Best-CouponSearch on devices can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Best-CouponSearch |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Best-CouponSearch |
| Promoted URL | best-couponsearch.com |
| Detection Names (best-couponsearch.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 hijacker examples
Search-Power, Easy Search, and Color Darker are a few examples of the browser hijackers we have researched. They tend to appear legitimate and offer "useful" functionalities. However, the features seldom work as advertised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.
How did Best-CouponSearch install on my computer?
We downloaded Best-CouponSearch from a dubious webpage, which was promoted through spam browser notifications. However, browser hijacker developers distribute their creators using various questionable techniques. Promotional/download pages can also be accessed via mistyped URLs or redirects caused by sites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, or installed adware. Additionally, some intrusive advertisements are capable of infiltrating software into systems - when clicked on. Software "bundling" (packing ordinary programs with unwanted/malicious supplements) is also used to proliferate browser hijackers. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We highly recommend researching software and downloading from official/verified channels. Installation processes must also be treated with care. Therefore, we advise 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 since deceptive and malicious content often appear harmless. For example, intrusive adverts look legitimate, yet they redirect to questionable sites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).
If you experience ads and/or redirects of this kind, you must check your system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected. If your computer is already infected with Best-CouponSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of best-couponsearch.com redirecting to the nearbyme.io fake 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:
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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 Best-CouponSearch?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Best-CouponSearch application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Best-CouponSearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove best-couponsearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove best-couponsearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Best-CouponSearch 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, "Best-CouponSearch"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the best-couponsearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Best-CouponSearch 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 "Best-CouponSearch" 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 "Best-CouponSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.best-couponsearch.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 "best-couponsearch.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 best-couponsearch.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 "Best-CouponSearch", 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 "Best-CouponSearch", remove hxxp://best-couponsearch.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 best-couponsearch.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 best-couponsearch.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 best-couponsearch.com website?
Revenue is generated through redirects to sites like best-couponsearch.com. This is why browser hijackers cause redirects to (or through) fake search engines.
Is visiting best-couponsearch.com a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like best-couponsearch.com usually collect information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are spread via misleading promotional webpages, deceptive browser notifications/ intrusive advertisements, software "bundling", unofficial and freeware download sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, online scams, fake updates, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Best-CouponSearch browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. It is noteworthy that manual removal might be ineffective when multiple browser hijackers are present. In some instances, when one browser hijacker is removed - the others simply re-install it. Additionally, this software may restrict/deny access to browser settings and/or undo any permitted changes made. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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