How to remove the CoolADSBlockSearch browser hijacker and its redirects
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is CoolADSBlockSearch?
CoolADSBlockSearch is a rogue browser extension. After analyzing this piece of software, we determined that it operates as a browser hijacker. CoolADSBlockSearch modifies browser settings to promote the cooladsblocksearch.com fake search engine.
CoolADSBlockSearch browser hijacker overview
CoolADSBlockSearch reassigns browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs. Hence, with this extension installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - result in redirects to the cooladsblocksearch.com site.
Furthermore, browser-hijacking software usually employs persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from restoring their browsers.
Illegitimate search engines typically cannot provide search results and redirect to genuine ones. When we analyzed CoolADSBlockSearch, cooladsblocksearch.com redirected either to Yahoo or the nearbyme.io fake search engine. While the latter is illegitimate - it can provide search results, but they are inaccurate and may promote deceptive/malicious content. It is pertinent to mention that cooladsblocksearch.com might land elsewhere, as redirects can depend on factors like user geolocation.
What is more, browser hijackers usually spy on users' browsing activity, and this may be true of CoolADSBlockSearch. Targeted data can include: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, financial/banking information, and so forth. The collected data can then be monetized through sale to third-parties.
In summary, the presence of software like CoolADSBlockSearch on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | CoolADSBlockSearch |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | CoolADSBlockSearch |
| Promoted URL | cooladsblocksearch.com |
| Detection Names (cooladsblocksearch.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (cooladsblocksearch.com) | 172.67.161.137 |
| 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 hijacker examples
We have analyzed thousands of browser hijackers; TabX, Tail doing, and Baseball Start are merely a couple of our newest finds. Browser-hijacker software seldom appears suspicious, it tends to look legitimate and innocuous. Users are lured into download/installation with promises of various handy features, which are rarely operational.
How did CoolADSBlockSearch install on my computer?
Browser hijackers are promoted on dubious download pages and scam websites. Users typically enter such sites via redirects caused by mistyped URLs, webpages that use rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.
"Bundling" - packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious supplements - is used to distribute browser-hijacking software as well. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., used "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
Intrusive adverts proliferate browser hijackers as well. Once clicked on, some of the advertisements can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We highly recommend researching software and downloading it from official and verified channels. When installing, we advise to read terms, explore available options, and use the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out of all additional applications, extensions, tools, etc.
Another recommendation is to be cautious when browsing since fraudulent and malicious content usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive ads may look ordinary and harmless, but they redirect to questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
Should you encounter adverts and/or redirects of this kind, check the system and immediately remove all suspect apps and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with CoolADSBlockSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of cooladsblocksearch.com redirecting to the nearbyme.io fake search engine (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 CoolADSBlockSearch?
- STEP 1. Uninstall CoolADSBlockSearch application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove CoolADSBlockSearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove cooladsblocksearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove cooladsblocksearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
CoolADSBlockSearch 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, "CoolADSBlockSearch"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the cooladsblocksearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
CoolADSBlockSearch 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 "CoolADSBlockSearch" 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 "CoolADSBlockSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.cooladsblocksearch.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 "cooladsblocksearch.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 cooladsblocksearch.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 "CoolADSBlockSearch", 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 "CoolADSBlockSearch", remove hxxp://cooladsblocksearch.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 cooladsblocksearch.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 cooladsblocksearch.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 to visit cooladsblocksearch.com website?
Redirects to sites like cooladsblocksearch.com are generated because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) profit through them.
Is visiting cooladsblocksearch.com a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes. Websites like cooladsblocksearch.com tend to collect (and sell) information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are primarily spread through misleading promotional webpages, program bundling, freeware and third-party websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, online scams, fake updates, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove CoolADSBlockSearch browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning computers and eliminating the browser-hijacking apps present. It must be mentioned that manual removal (performed without security software) might be ineffective, especially when multiple browser hijackers have been installed. Since after one is removed - the others may simply re-install it. What is more, browser-hijacking software might deny access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
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