How to remove the multisearch.live browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is multisearch.live?
We have discovered the multisearch.live application while visiting shady websites. After testing the app, we have learned that it changes the settings of a web browser to promote search.multisearch.live - a fake search engine. In other words, we have found that this app functions as a typical browser hijacker.
multisearch.live browser hijacker in detail
The settings that multisearch.live modifies are the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. It changes them to search.multisearch.live. We have tested this fake search engine and found that it can show results generated by nearbyme.io, Bing, and possibly other legitimate and untrustworthy search engines.
Another problem with fake search engines is that they can show misleading results/promote untrustworthy websites. Also, most browser hijackers used to promote fake search engines do not allow to change the affected settings while they are present.
| Name | multisearch.live |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | multisearch.live |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | search.multisearch.live |
| Detection Names (search.multisearch.live) | alphaMountain.ai (Malicious), Fortinet (Malware), Full List Of Detections (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
In most cases, browser hijackers and fake search engines are promoted as legitimate tools that improve the browsing experience. Although, they rarely function as their developers present them. It is important to mention that browser hijackers and fake search engines can be designed to collect various data.
Examples of other applications that are categorized as browser hijackers are Film Links Now | Default Search, ConvertersCoolSearch, LiveTab - Live Streams in your Browser Tab.
How did multisearch.live install on my computer?
The multisearch.live browser hijacker (its installer) is distributed via a deceptive website. A browser gets hijacked by multisearch.live after executing its installer and completing the provided steps. In other cases, browsers get hijacked via deceptive ads designed to run certain scripts and installers for other programs.
Installers used to distribute unwanted apps have "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings. Users end up having those apps installed on computers (or browsers) after installing software without changing the settings mentioned above.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Download applications from legitimate sources such as official pages, platforms (and use direct download links). Do not open downloads from shady pages, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, and so on. Also, do not click on ads and fake buttons displayed by questionable pages.
Deselect unwanted apps before downloading and installing programs bundled with those apps. If your computer is already infected with multisearch.live, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Search.multisearch.live redirects to nearbyme.io (GIF):
Deceptive website promoting multisearch.live browser hijacker:
Official download page for multisearch.live browser hijacker:
Browser notification containing information about multisearch.live 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 multisearch.live?
- STEP 1. Uninstall multisearch.live application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove multisearch.live browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove search.multisearch.live homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove search.multisearch.live redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
multisearch.live 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, "multisearch.live"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the search.multisearch.live website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
multisearch.live browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove multisearch.live 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 "multisearch.live" 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 "multisearch.live", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.multisearch.live) 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 "search.multisearch.live", 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 search.multisearch.live 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 "multisearch.live", 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 "multisearch.live", remove hxxp://search.multisearch.live 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 search.multisearch.live 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 search.multisearch.live 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 search.multisearch.live website?
The amount of revenue that creators of search.multisearch.live generate directly depends on the count of page visitors.
Is visiting search.multisearch.live a threat to my privacy?
Search.multisearch.live and other fake search engines (and browser hijackers) can be designed to gather various information about their users.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are distributed using social engineering tactics, such as browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, etc. Also, they are distributed via deceptive websites, installers for other software.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove multisearch.live browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan the operating system and remove existing browser-hijacking applications. It can be difficult to remove apps of this type manually when more than one is present. It has to be done automatically. Combo Cleaner can remove all browser hijackers at once.
Outstanding!
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