How to remove Quick-Search Default Search browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Quick-Search Default Search?
We have tested the Quick-Search Default Search application and learned that its main purpose is to promote a fake search engine. Moreover, it promotes a fake search engine (quick-search.xyz) by hijacking a web browser. It changes the settings of a web browser and keeps them unchangeable while it is present.
Quick-Search Default Search in detail
Quick-Search Default Search changes the homepage, default search engine, and new tab page to quick-search.xyz. After testing this fake search engine, we found that it shows results generated by Bing. It redirects users to bing.com.
Bing.com is a legitimate search engine. However, fake search engines such as quick-search.xyz can also show results generated by shady search engines or generate misleading results (promote untrustworthy websites). Therefore, it is highly recommended not to trust fake search engines. Especially when they are promoted through browser hijackers.
| Name | Quick-Search Default Search |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Quick-Search Default Search |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | quick-search.xyz |
| Detection Names (quick-search.xyz) | Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), 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. |
More about browser hijackers
Browser-hijacking apps can be used to gather various information, for example, browsing history, IP addresses. In some cases, they can access sensitive data. Either way, neither fake search engines nor browser hijackers are trustworthy. Examples of other browser hijackers are Key board, Monochrome Tab, ProTabs New Tab.
How did Quick-Search Default Search install on my computer?
Typically, users add/install browser hijackers unintentionally. They cause it by clicking shady ads, using fake installers, or installing software bundled with browser hijackers without changing certain settings. When installers (and downloaders) are used to distribute browser hijackers, "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings have to be changed before installing (or downloading) software.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Download applications (and files) from trustworthy/legitimate sources such as official pages and platforms. Do not trust downloads from questionable sources (for example, shady pages, P2P networks, third-party downloaders). Do not agree to receive notifications from suspicious sites.
Also, check downloaders and installers for optional downloads and installations and deselect unwanted apps before downloading or installing software. Do not trust advertisements appearing on shady, dubious websites. If your computer is already infected with Quick-Search Default Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Quick-search.xyz redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Browser notification containing information about Quick-Search Default Search 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:
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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 Quick-Search Default Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Quick-Search Default Search application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Quick-Search Default Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove quick-search.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove quick-search.xyz redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Quick-Search Default Search 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, "Quick-Search Default Search"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the quick-search.xyz website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Quick-Search Default Search 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 "Quick-Search Default Search" 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 "Quick-Search Default Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.quick-search.xyz) 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 "quick-search.xyz", 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 quick-search.xyz 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 "Quick-Search Default Search", 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 "Quick-Search Default Search", remove hxxp://quick-search.xyz 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 quick-search.xyz 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 quick-search.xyz 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 quick-search.xyz website?
The creators of this page are interested in making it more visitable because their revenue is directly dependent on the count of visitors.
Is visiting quick-search.xyz a threat to my privacy?
Websites like quick-search.xyz can be used to gather various information about visitors. Thus, visiting them can be a threat to privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
It usually happens after downloading apps or files from shady websites, clicking deceptive advertisements, or installing apps without deselecting optional offers.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Quick-Search Default Search browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate this browser hijacker. If there is more than one app of this type installed, Combo Cleaner will be able to remove all of them at once (which will prevent browser hijackers from reinstalling one another). In such cases, manual removal can be challenging. Therefore, it is recommended to use specialized software for removal.
Outstanding!
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