How to remove Cool Search browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Cool Search?
Cool Search is an application that hijacks a web browser to promote the cool-search.com address, a fake search engine. It does that by changing certain settings. Typically, users download and install apps of this type unknowingly. We have discovered Cool Search while inspecting deceptive websites.
Cool Search browser hijacker in detail
Cool Search promotes a fake search engine that shows results generated by Google (cool-search.com redirects to gooogle.com). This app makes cool-search.com the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. Moreover, it does not allow users to remove cool-search.com from the aforementioned settings while it is present.
Fake search engines can include links to shady websites in search results and show results generated by other untrustworthy search engines. Browser hijackers can be designed to collect information about users. Thus, it is highly advisable not to have Cool Search installed and use fake search engines like cool-search.com.
| Name | Cool Search |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Cool Search |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | cool-search.com |
| Detection Names (cool-search.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (cool-search.com) | 162.159.138.85 |
| 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
Browser hijackers modify settings to promote fake search engines. Usually, they are promoted as useful and legitimate apps. It is common for them to be distributed using questionable (often deceptive) methods. More examples of browser-hijacking apps are Cricket Start, YouPDFSearch, and SearchZubi.
How did Cool Search install on my computer?
Many browser hijackers are distributed using deceptive websites, encouraging visitors to install some supposedly useful app. In other cases, these apps are distributed using deceptive ads (designed to run certain scripts), downloaders, and installers for other programs.
Software bundled with browser hijackers has "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings in its installer. Users install browser hijackers alongside other software by finishing installations without changing those settings.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Download applications and files from legitimate sources such as official pages, platforms and direct links. It is highly advisable not to use P2P networks, third-party downloaders, shady pages, and similar sources. Also, do not click on advertisements appearing on shady pages (e.g., torrent sites, adult dating pages), or allow such pages to show notifications.
Always deselect optional downloads/installations before downloading/installing software (use the provided settings for that). If your computer is already infected with Cool Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Cool-search.com redirects to google.com (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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Quick menu:
- What is Cool Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Cool Search application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Cool Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove cool-search.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove cool-search.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Cool 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, "Cool Search"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the cool-search.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Cool 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 "Cool 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 "Cool Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.cool-search.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 "cool-search.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 cool-search.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 "Cool 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 "Cool Search", remove hxxp://cool-search.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 cool-search.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 cool-search.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 visit cool-search.com website?
This site generates more revenue for its creators when the number of visitors is higher.
Is visiting cool-search.com a threat to my privacy?
It depends on whether this fake search engine collects information or not. A big part of fake search engines does.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Most browser hijackers are distributed/promoted using browser notifications, shady advertisements, deceptive websites, etc. Another popular distribution method is to bundle browser hijackers with other software.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Cool Search browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove a browser hijacker. When multiple browser hijackers are present, they have to be removed at once. It is because they can reinstall one another. In such cases, manual removal can be difficult. Thus, we recommend using Combo Cleaner for removal.
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