How to remove Extra Search browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Extra Search?
We have discovered the Extra Search application while examining shady websites. After analyzing the app, we found that it is a browser hijacker. Extra Search modifies some of the settings of a web browser by changing them to search.extra-searches.com (a fake search engine).
Extra Search browser hijacker overview
Extra Search changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. It changes those settings (addresses) to search.extra-searches.com. After examination, we found that search.extra-searches.com shows results generated by Bing (it redirects users to bing.com).
Fake search engines cannot be trusted. Not all of them show results generated by legitimate search engines (like Bing). They can generate misleading results (promote shady pages) and show results generated by untrustworthy search engines.
Additionally, Extra Search can read a list of the most frequently visited websites and possibly other information. Data gathered by browser hijackers can be misused for marketing purposes (or other purposes). Thus, it is highly advisable not to have any browser hijackers added to a browser.
| Name | Extra Search |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Extra Search |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | search.extra-searches.com |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (search.extra-searches.com) | 104.21.7.53 |
| 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
Most browser hijackers promote fake search engines by changing the settings of web browsers. They (and promoted fake search engines) can be used to collect data, including sensitive information. A big part of browser-hijacking apps is distributed using questionable/deceptive methods.
More examples of browser hijackers are Pick Tail, Light Tab, and YoSearch Weather Tab.
How did Extra Search install on my computer?
It is very popular for browser hijackers to be distributed via deceptive pages offering to install useful/recommended applications. In other cases, apps of this type are distributed by bundling them with other software or through deceptive ads.
Browsers get hijacked after installing software without changing "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings available in installers. Advertisements can cause unwanted downloads/installations when designed to run certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download applications from trustworthy sources such as official pages and legitimate stores. Avoid using shady websites, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, etc., to download apps (or files). Check downloaders and installers for optional downloads and installations. Always deselect unwanted apps before downloading or installing programs.
It is also recommended not to click on advertisements appearing on questionable websites (e.g., adult, gambling, pornography, and similar sites). If your computer is already infected with Extra Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Search.extra-searches.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
A browser notification containing information about Extra Search:
Website promoting Extra Search browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is Extra Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Extra Search application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Extra Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove search.extra-searches.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove search.extra-searches.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Extra 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, "Extra Search"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the search.extra-searches.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Extra 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 "Extra Search" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Extra Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.extra-searches.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 "search.extra-searches.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.extra-searches.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 extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Extra Search", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Extra Search", remove hxxp://search.extra-searches.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 "Accept the Risk and Continue".
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 search.extra-searches.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 search.extra-searches.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 search.extra-searches.com website?
If more users visit this page, its developers generate more revenue. Their goal is to increase website traffic.
Is visiting search.extra-searches.com a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines like search.extra-searches.com tend to be designed to gather various information about their visitors. Thus, it can be a thret to privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are distributed using browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, other social engineering techniques, downloaders installers for other programs, deceptive advertisements, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Extra Search browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will remove this browser hijacker from a browser. It is worth knowing that manual removal of browser hijackers can be complicated when more than one app of this type is present. Browser hijackers can be designed to reinstall one another. Thus, all of them have to be removed at once. It can be easily done with Combo Cleaner.
Outstanding!
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