How to remove the UltraADSBlockSearch browser-hijacking extension

What is UltraADSBlockSearch?

UltraADSBlockSearch is a browser extension our research team found while inspecting dubious download webpages. Following its analysis, we have determined that this piece of software operates as a browser hijacker. UltraADSBlockSearch modifies browser settings to promote the ultraadsblocksearch.com fake search engine. Additionally, this extension spies on users' browsing activity.

UltraADSBlockSearch browser hijacker overview

Once installed onto our test machine, UltraADSBlockSearch assigned ultraadsblocksearch.com as the browser's default search engine, new tab/window, and homepage URLs. Therefore, every new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar - resulted in a redirect to this address. Additionally, as is typical for browser-hijacking software, UltraADSBlockSearch employs persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent browser recovery.

Fraudulent search engines typically cannot provide search results, so they redirect to legitimate ones. During testing, ultraadsblocksearch.com redirected to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com) and the nearbyme.io fake search engine. While the latter is illegitimate, nearbyme.io can generate search results that are inaccurate and may endorse unreliable/malicious content.

It is noteworthy that ultraadsblocksearch.com might land elsewhere, as redirects can be dictated by various factors (e.g., user geolocation, etc.).

As mentioned in the introduction, UltraADSBlockSearch also has data tracking abilities. Browser hijackers usually collect the following information: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, financial/banking data, etc. The gathered information is shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of software like UltraADSBlockSearch on devices can result in serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	UltraADSBlockSearch
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	UltraADSBlockSearch
Promoted URL	ultraadsblocksearch.com
Detection Names (ultraadsblocksearch.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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner 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.

Browser hijacker examples

We have analyzed thousands of browser hijackers; StreamUltraSearch, Tail Box, and Pick Dark are just a couple examples of the latest.

Browser-hijacking software tends to appear harmless and useful. Users are enticed into download/installation with promises of various "handy" functionalities. However, these functions rarely work as advertised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.

How did UltraADSBlockSearch install on my computer?

"Bundling" - packing ordinary programs with unwanted/malicious additions - is commonly 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.

Additionally, browser-hijacking software can have "official" promotional/download webpages. We have found such a site endorsing UltraADSBlockSearch. Most users enter dubious download websites via redirects caused by others that use rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, installed adware, or mistyped URLs.

Intrusive advertisements are used to spread browser hijackers as well. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can make downloads/installations without user permission.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading only from official and verified channels. Another recommendation is approaching installation processes with cation, e.g., reading terms, exploring available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additions.

We also advise being vigilant when browsing - since illegitimate and malicious content typically appears harmless. For example, intrusive ads look innocuous yet redirect to questionable sites (e.g., pornography, adult-dating, gambling, etc.).

In case of encounters with such adverts and/or redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with UltraADSBlockSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by UltraADSBlockSearch browser hijacker:

Website promoting UltraADSBlockSearch browser hijacker:

Appearance of ultraadsblocksearch.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:
▼ 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 UltraADSBlockSearch?
• STEP 1. Uninstall UltraADSBlockSearch application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove UltraADSBlockSearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove ultraadsblocksearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove ultraadsblocksearch.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

UltraADSBlockSearch 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, "UltraADSBlockSearch"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the ultraadsblocksearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

UltraADSBlockSearch 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 "UltraADSBlockSearch" 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 "UltraADSBlockSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.ultraadsblocksearch.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 "ultraadsblocksearch.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 ultraadsblocksearch.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 "UltraADSBlockSearch", 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 "UltraADSBlockSearch", remove hxxp://ultraadsblocksearch.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 ultraadsblocksearch.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 ultraadsblocksearch.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 ultraadsblocksearch.com website?

Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) generate revenue through redirects to sites like ultraadsblocksearch.com.

Is visiting ultraadsblocksearch.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Usually, websites like ultraadsblocksearch.com collect information about their visitors - with the intention of selling it to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily spread via software bundling (i.e., packing ordinary program installers with unwanted/malicious additions), misleading promotional webpages, unofficial and freeware download sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, online scams, spam browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, and fake updates.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove UltraADSBlockSearch browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (unaided by security software) might be ineffective when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In such cases, once one is removed - the others might re-install it. What is more, removal-related settings may be inaccessible with this software present. Therefore, it is crucial to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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