Removing BestMusicSearches browser-hijacking extension
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is BestMusicSearches?
BestMusicSearches is a rogue browser extension. After analyzing it, our researchers classified it as a browser hijacker. BestMusicSearches operates by modifying browser settings to promote (via redirects) the bestmusicsearches.com fake search engine.
BestMusicSearches browser hijacker overview
Following installation onto our test system, BestMusicSearches assigned bestmusicsearches.com as the browser's homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs. When we opened new browser tabs/windows and entered search queries into the URL bar - it caused redirects to bestmusicsearches.com.
Fraudulent search engines are typically incapable of providing search results, and bestmusicsearches.com is not an exception. During our research, it redirected both to Yahoo and the searchlee.com fake search engine. The latter is a rare case of an illegitimate search engine capable of generating search results, yet they are inaccurate and may promote unreliable/malicious websites. It is noteworthy that bestmusicsearches.com might redirect elsewhere, as that can depend on various factors (e.g., user geolocation).
Furthermore, BestMusicSearches may use persistence-ensuring techniques (to prevent browser recovery) and have data tracking abilities, as these functionalities are typical of browser hijackers.
Software of this kind usually collects browsing and search engine histories, personally identifiable details, financial/banking information, and similar - to sell it to third-parties.
In summary, the presence of browser-hijacking software like BestMusicSearches on systems can result in severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | BestMusicSearches |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | BestMusicSearches |
| Promoted URL | bestmusicsearches.com |
| Detection Names (bestmusicsearches.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
We have analyzed thousands of browser hijackers; Point Dark, SearchGamesOnline, and Best-CouponSearch are merely a few examples. They look harmless and offer "handy" features, which are rarely operational. Therefore, not only is this software useless, but it also endangers device and user safety.
How did BestMusicSearches install on my computer?
Our researchers discovered BestMusicSearches on a deceptive download site, which they accessed when inspecting webpages monetized through rogue advertising networks.
There are many ways of inadvertently accessing dubious download pages, e.g., through mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).
Software bundling - program installer packing with unwanted/malicious supplements - is also used to proliferate browser hijackers. Download from untrustworthy channels (e.g., Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, unofficial and free file-hosting sites) and rushed installations - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
Furthermore, some intrusive advertisements can execute scripts to stealthily download/install browser hijackers - when clicked.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Caution is key to computer safety. Therefore, our researchers recommend researching software and downloading it from official/verified sources. Download/Installation processes must be approached with care, e.g., reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additions.
We also advise being vigilant when browsing, as fraudulent and malicious content usually appears genuine. For example, intrusive ads look legitimate yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
If you experience such advertisements and/or redirects, inspect your device and immediately remove all suspect apps and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with BestMusicSearches, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of bestmusicsearches.com redirecting to the searchlee.com 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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Quick menu:
- What is BestMusicSearches?
- STEP 1. Uninstall BestMusicSearches application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove BestMusicSearches browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove bestmusicsearches.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove bestmusicsearches.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
BestMusicSearches 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, "BestMusicSearches"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the bestmusicsearches.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
BestMusicSearches 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 "BestMusicSearches" 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 "BestMusicSearches", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.bestmusicsearches.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 "bestmusicsearches.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 bestmusicsearches.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 "BestMusicSearches", 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 "BestMusicSearches", remove hxxp://bestmusicsearches.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 bestmusicsearches.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 bestmusicsearches.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 bestmusicsearches.com website?
Cyber criminals' revenue is directly dependent on the count of the bestmusicsearches.com site's visitors.
Is visiting bestmusicsearches.com a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like bestmusicsearches.com typically gather information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are primarily spread via software bundling, misleading promotional websites, unofficial and freeware download sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, online scams, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, fake updates, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove BestMusicSearches browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate the browser-hijacking applications installed. It is noteworthy that when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system - manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective. In some cases, when one browser hijacker is (manually) removed - the others simply re-install it. Additionally, some removal-related settings may be unmodifiable with this software present. Therefore, it is crucial to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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