How to remove Discoverthebest.co from the settings of an Internet browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is discoverthebest.co?
While analyzing the discoverthebest.co site, we found that it is an untrustworthy search engine. We discovered discoverthebest.co after adding a shady extension to a web browser. That application promotes discoverthebest.co by hijacking a web browser (by changing its settings).
How do browser hijackers promote discoverthebest.co?
Discoverthebest.co site is promoted via application, which makes this search engine the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. Discoverthebest.co cannot be removed from the settings of a web browser while a browser hijacker is present (added to a browser).
We found that discoverthebest.co promotes untrustworthy pages by including them in search results. Those pages can be used to trick users into installing potentially malicious software, providing personal information, transferring money, etc. Thus, it is strongly recommended not to use/trust discoverthebest.co.
Name | discoverthebest.co browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Supposed Functionality | Accurate search results |
Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address | 146.75.106.114 |
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
Typically, browser hijackers are promoted as useful/legitimate applications. The purpose of these apps is to promote fake search engines. It is worth mentioning that not all browser hijackers modify the settings of web browsers. Sometimes, apps of this type collect browsing data and other information.
More examples of apps classified as browser hijackers are UltraCouponSearch, Mondy Search, and Quick Site.
How did discoverthebest.co promoting software install on my computer?
One of the most popular ways to trick users into adding browser hijackers to web browsers is to bundle them with other software. Browsers get hijacked after completing installations without deselecting browser hijackers (changing "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings).
Also, browser hijackers are distributed via certain advertisements and deceptive websites. In most cases, users download and install/add browser hijackers without knowing what these apps do.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download applications from official websites and stores. Do not use unofficial pages, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, and similar sources to download files/apps. Do not click on fake buttons and ads displayed on questionable pages. Deselect unwanted applications included in downloaders/installers before downloading/installing software.
If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Discoverthebest.co promotes untrustworthy websites (shows inaccurate results):
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is discoverthebest.co?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove discoverthebest.co browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove discoverthebest.co homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove discoverthebest.co redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
discoverthebest.co redirect 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the discoverthebest.co website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
discoverthebest.co redirect 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 all 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 the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.discoverthebest.co) 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 "discoverthebest.co", 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 discoverthebest.co browser hijacker, 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 and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate 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 malicious extension (if present), remove hxxp://discoverthebest.co 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 discoverthebest.co browser hijacker 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 discoverthebest.co browser hijacker, 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.
Post a comment:
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit discoverthebest.co website?
This search engine generates more revenue for its creators when more users visit/use it.
Is visiting discoverthebest.co a threat to my privacy?
It may be capable of gathering information about users. Also, websites promoted by this search engine can be malicious.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Usually, browser hijackers get installed/added alongside other software or via shady advertisements and notifications from untrustworthy pages.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan the operating system and remove browser-hijacking applications. Manual removal can be difficult, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. Apps of this type can be designed to reinstall one another. Thus, all of them have to be removed at once.
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