How to eliminate PickMySearch browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is PickMySearch?
Our team has discovered the PickMySearch application while checking deceptive websites. We have tested this app and found that it is a browser hijacker that promotes a fake search engine (pickmysearch.com) by changing the setting of the affected browser. Apps of this type cannot be trusted.
PickMySearch browser hijacker in detail
We have learned that PickMySearch sets pickmysearch.com as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. While testing pickmysearch.com, we have noticed that it does not generate any results of its own. Pickmysearch.com redirects to search.yahoo.com - it is a fake search engine that shows results generated by Yahoo.
Other fake search engines can generate misleading results (they can include links to shady websites in their results), redirect users to untrustworthy pages, show results generated by other shady search engines. Thus, fake search engines (including pickmysearch.com) promoted via browser hijackers should never be used.
| Name | PickMySearch |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | PickMySearch |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | pickmysearch.com |
| Detection Names (pickmysearch.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. |
More about browser hijackers
Browser-hijacking applications and fake search engines can be used as tools to gather various data. In most cases, they can access browsing data. Sometimes, they collect sensitive information. Also, most browser hijackers are promoted as tools with useful features. Examples of other apps of this type are remain dark, Click Togo, Get Dark.
How did PickMySearch install on my computer?
It is very common for browser hijackers to be distributed using deceptive pages. For example, through pages displaying messages claiming that some software is outdated. Also, apps of this type are distributed via deceptive ads, downloaders/installers for other software.
When software is bundled with a browser-hijacking app, it has "Custom", "Advanced", or similar settings. A browser becomes hijacked when the software installation is finished without changing those settings/deselecting unwanted apps.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download applications and files from trustworthy sources such as official web pages (and direct links). Avoid executing/opening downloads from shady pages, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, etc. Also, do not click on advertisements and fake buttons appearing on shady sites.
Check downloaders/installers for unwanted apps (and deselect them) before downloading/installing programs. If your computer is already infected with PickMySearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Pickmysearch.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):
Browser notification containing information about PickMySearch browser hijacker:
Browser notification containing information about PickMySearch browser hijacker (updated extension name - PickMySearch {Version 2}):
Deceptive site promoting PickMySearch browser hijacker:
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 PickMySearch?
- STEP 1. Uninstall PickMySearch application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove PickMySearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove pickmysearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove pickmysearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
PickMySearch 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, "PickMySearch"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the pickmysearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
PickMySearch browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove PickMySearch 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 "PickMySearch" (or "PickMySearch {Version 2}") 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 "PickMySearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.pickmysearch.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 "pickmysearch.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 pickmysearch.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 "PickMySearch", 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 "PickMySearch", remove hxxp://pickmysearch.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 pickmysearch.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 pickmysearch.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.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on pickmysearch.com redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit pickmysearch.com website?
The revenue generated by the page creators depends on the count of the visitors. Thus, the page creators seek to make this site as visitable as possible.
Is visiting pickmysearch.com a threat to my privacy?
Browser hijackers and fake search engines can be designed to gather information about users. Thus, pickmysearch.com and PickMySearch can invade privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Usually, developers of browser hijackers use social engineering tactics, such as browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, etc., to distribute them. They also use downloaders and installers for other programs, fake installers.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove PickMySearch browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate PickMySearch and other existing browser-hijacking applications. When multiple apps of this type are present, they can reinstall one another. It can be difficult to remove them manually (to remove all browser hijackers at once). Combo Cleaner will automatically remove all apps of this type in one go.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion