Removing Key Web browser hijacker and the redirects it causes
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is Key Web?
Our researchers found a dubious download page promoting the Key Web browser extension - during a routine inspection of sites using rogue advertising networks. After analyzing this piece of software, we determined that it is a browser hijacker that promotes the keysearchs.com illegitimate search engine.
Key Web browser hijacker overview
When Key Web was installed onto our test system, it made modifications to the browser's settings in order to cause redirects to keysearchs.com. We were forced to visit this fraudulent search engine every time a new browser tab/window was opened, or a search query was typed into the URL bar. Browser-hijacking software also uses persistence-ensuring features to prevent browser recovery, and Key Web is not an exception.
Like most fake search engines, keysearchs.com cannot generate search results, so it leads users to legitimate ones. When we tested it, it redirected either to Google or (via my-search.com and trafficjunction.com) to Bing. However, it may redirect elsewhere since that can depend on various factors (e.g., user's geolocation, etc.).
What is more, Key Web spies on users' browsing activity. Most browser hijackers record browsing and search engine histories and collect sensitive information extracted from them (e.g., personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, banking data, etc.). The vulnerable information is monetized through sale to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of browsing-hijacking software like Key Web on devices can lead to serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Key Web |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Key Web |
| Promoted URL | keysearchs.com |
| Detection Names (keysearchs.com) | CRDF (Malicious), G-Data (Malware), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (keysearchs.com) | 104.21.36.47 |
| 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
Movie Reviews & Search | Movies Tab, To Find Result, and Movieztab Default Search are just a few examples of the latest browser hijackers we have researched. They appear legitimate and typically offer "handy" functionalities, which rarely work. Therefore, not only is this software worthless, but it also endangers device/user safety.
How did Key Web install on my computer?
We obtained Key Web from its "official" download webpage, which our researchers discovered via a redirect caused by a site that uses rogue advertising networks. There are multiple ways of inadvertently accessing such pages, e.g., mistyped URLs or redirects generated by rogue websites, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.
Browser hijackers can also be bundled with other programs. Download from dubious sources (e.g., Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, unofficial and freeware sites, etc.) and rushed installations - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.
Intrusive advertisements are used to spread browser-hijacking software as well. Some of these ads can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations - upon being clicked.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We highly recommend researching software products and only using official and verified download channels. Additionally, when downloading/installing, it is important to read terns, explore available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out of all additions.
We also advise exercising caution when browsing - since fraudulent and malicious content usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive adverts look harmless, yet they redirect to questionable websites (e.g., adult-dating, gambling, pornography, etc.).
Should you experience such ads and/or redirects, inspect your device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Key Web, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Website promoting Key Web browser hijacker:
Appearance of keysearchs.com redirecting (via my-search.com and trafficjunction.com) 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 Key Web?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Key Web application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Key Web browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove keysearchs.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove keysearchs.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Key Web 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, "Key Web"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the keysearchs.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Key Web 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 "Key Web" 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 "Key Web", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.keysearchs.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 "keysearchs.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 keysearchs.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 "Key Web", 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 "Key Web", remove hxxp://keysearchs.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 keysearchs.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 keysearchs.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 keysearchs.com website?
Redirects to websites like keysearchs.com generate revenue for the cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers).
Is visiting keysearchs.com a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes, Sites like keysearchs.com typically gather (and sell) data about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser-hijacking software is distributed primarily through deceptive promotional webpages, online scams, freeware and third-party download websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, fake updates, intrusive advertisements, spam browser notifications, and using other dubious methods.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Key Web browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning systems and eliminating detected browser-hijacking apps. On the other hand, manual removal (unaided by security software) might be ineffective in certain cases. When a browser hijacker is removed while multiples are present on the system - the remaining ones may re-install it. Furthermore, this software might deny access to browser settings or undo user-made changes. Hence, it is crucial to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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