Removing Tail DS browser hijacker and its redirects to tailsearch.com
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Tail DS?
Tail DS is the name of a browser extension. After analyzing this piece of software, our researchers found that it exhibits the behavior of a browser hijacker. Tail DS modifies browser settings to cause redirects to the tailsearch.com illegitimate search engine. Additionally, this extension spies on users' browsing activity.
Tail DS browser hijacker overview
With Tail DS installed onto our test machine, it caused redirects to tailsearch.com - when a new browser tab/window was opened, and when a search query was typed into the URL bar. This browser hijacker also uses persistence-ensuring techniques to stop users from restoring their browsers.
Fake search engines tend to redirect to genuine ones, as they are incapable of generating search results. However, where the redirects land may depend on certain factors like user geolocation. In the case of tailsearch.com, we have observed two variants: it redirecting to Google (google.com), and causing a redirection chain consisting of my-search.com and trafficjunction.com, which concludes with Bing (bing.com).
Furthermore, Tail DS has data tracking functionalities. Browser-hijacking software typically targets the following information - URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, personally identifiable details, log-in credentials (usernames/passwords), finance-related data, etc. The gathered data can be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
In summary, the presence of software like Tail DS on browsers/systems can result in serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Tail DS |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Tail DS |
| Promoted URL | tailsearch.com |
| Detection Names (tailsearch.com) | Avira (Malware), CyRadar (Malicious), Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (tailsearch.com) | 172.67.194.248 |
| 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
CleanHistory, MyZen Tab, and Forest Start Tabs are just a couple examples of the browser hijacker we have analyzed. They appear legitimate and useful, luring users into download/installation with promises of various features. However, despite how good the advertised functions may sound - they are usually nonoperational.
How did Tail DS install on my computer?
Browser hijackers are distributed using various questionable methods. This software can be bundled (packed) into the installers of ordinary programs. Download from dubious channels (e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
Browser-hijacking software can have "official" promotional/download webpages, which are rarely accessed intentionally. Most users enter them through redirects caused by intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, websites that use rogue advertising networks, installed adware, or by misspelling/mistyping URLs.
Intrusive advertisements proliferate browser hijackers as well. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly advise researching software and downloading it from official/verified sources. Installation processes must be treated with caution, that entails - reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all supplementary apps, tools, features, etc.
Another recommendation is being vigilant while browsing, as fraudulent and malicious content typically appears innocuous. For example, intrusive ads look legitimate and harmless - however, they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, 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 Tail DS, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of tailsearch.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:
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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 Tail DS?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Tail DS application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Tail DS browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove tailsearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove tailsearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Tail DS 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, "Tail DS"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the tailsearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Tail DS browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Tail DS 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 "Tail DS" 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 "Tail DS", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.tailsearch.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 "tailsearch.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 tailsearch.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 "Tail DS", 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 "Tail DS", remove hxxp://tailsearch.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 tailsearch.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 tailsearch.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 tailsearch.com website?
Users are forced to visit websites like tailsearch.com since cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) generate revenue through these redirects.
Is visiting tailsearch.com a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes - visiting tailsearch.com poses a threat to your privacy. Sites of this kind usually collect (and sell) information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are primarily spread via software bundling, deceptive promotional pages, freeware and third-party download websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, online scams, fake updates, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Tail DS browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (unaided by security programs) can be ineffective when multiple browser hijackers are present - due to potential re-installation. In some instances, once a browser hijacker is removed - the others simply re-install it. Additionally, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with browser-hijacking software present. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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