How to remove Simple Search browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Simple Search?
Our team discovered the Simple Search application while analyzing deceptive web pages. We found that the purpose of Simple Search is to promote search.simple-searchs.com (force users to browse the Internet with a fake search engine). Simple Search promotes this address by hijacking a web browser (by modifying its settings).
More about the Simple Search browser hijacker
Simple Search changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. It sets them to search.simple-searchs.com - the address of a fake search engine that shows results generated by Google (redirects to google.com). Google is a legitimate search engine. However, fake search engines can generate misleading results or show results generated by shady search engines.
Additionally, Simple Search can read the list of most frequently visited websites. Moreover, it may be gathering other browsing-related or even sensitive information. The data collected by browser hijackers and other untrustworthy apps may be misused for malicious purposes. Thus, apps of this type should never be added to browsers/installed on computers.
| Name | Simple Search |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Simple Search |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | search.simple-searchs.com |
| Detection Names (search.simple-searchs.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (search.simple-searchs.com) | 172.67.182.123 |
| 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 are promoted as legitimate and useful apps. They are supposed to improve the web browsing experience in some way. Even if they have some features, their primary goal is to promote fake search engines. More examples of browser-hijacking apps are Common Search, Extra Search, and Pick Tail.
How did Simple Search install on my computer?
Many browser hijackers are promoted/distributed using deceptive websites, encouraging visitors to add some supposedly useful applications. Also, apps of this type are distributed using deceptive ads (designed to run certain scripts), and downloaders/installers for other software.
Software bundled with a browser hijacker has "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual", or other settings in its installer. Browser hijacker gets installed/added after finishing the installation without changing those settings.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Use legitimate (official) pages and stores when willing to download applications. It is highly advisable not to use questionable pages, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, and similar sources. Always deselect additionally included (unwanted) applications before downloading and installing software.
Do not trust ads appearing on shady websites or allow such pages to show notifications. Do not keep any suspicious apps installed on a web browser and computer. If your computer is already infected with Simple Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Search.simple-searchs.com redirects to google.com (GIF):
A notification containing information about Simple Search browser hijacker:
Website promoting Simple 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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Quick menu:
- What is Simple Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Simple Search application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Simple Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove search.simple-searchs.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove search.simple-searchs.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Simple 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, "Simple Search"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the search.simple-searchs.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Simple 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 "Simple 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 "Simple Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.simple-searchs.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.simple-searchs.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.simple-searchs.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 "Simple 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 "Simple Search", remove hxxp://search.simple-searchs.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.simple-searchs.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.simple-searchs.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.simple-searchs.com website?
The more users visit this page (the higher the website traffic is), the more revenue its creators generate.
Is visiting search.simple-searchs.com a threat to my privacy?
It can be a threat since lots of fake search engines gather browsing-related and other information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are distributed using installers for other programs (software bundles), browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, etc. Their developers use deceptive methods to trick users into downloading and adding them to browsers.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Simple Search browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner will scan the operating system and get rid of detected browser hijackers. It is recommended to use Combo Cleaner for removal since manual removal can be challenging, especially when more than one browser hijacker is present. Browser hijackers can be designed to reinstall one another. Thus, it is required to remove all of them at once.
Outstanding!
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