How to eliminate redirects to searchproonline.com and the software causing them

What is searchproonline.com?

Searchproonline.com is both the address of a fake search engine and the name of the browser hijacker promoting it. This software modifies browser settings to cause redirects to illegitimate search engines (e.g., searchproonline.com, etc.). Additionally, most browser hijackers collect private data.

Searchproonline.com browser hijacker overview

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs to the promoted website addresses. Searchproonline.com changes the aforementioned settings to its namesake search engine.

Therefore, with this piece of software installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar - result in redirects to the searchproonline.com site.

Furthermore, browser-hijacking software tends to employ persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Fake search engines are rarely capable of generating search results, so they redirect to genuine ones. At the time of research, searchproonline.com redirected either straight to Bing (bing.com) or (via searchgenieo.com) to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com). However, it might land elsewhere depending based on factors like user geolocation.

Furthermore, this browser hijacker likely spies on users' browsing activity. Information of interest may include: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The collected information can be monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software on devices can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Searchproonline.com
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Promoted URL	searchproonline.com
Detection Names (searchproonline.com)	Heimdal Security (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (searchproonline.com)	168.119.254.45
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Browser hijacker examples

We have inspected thousands of browser hijackers; Secure Search Pro, TabsMode, and quick do are merely a couple of examples.

This software typically appears legitimate and offers various "handy" functions. However, these features seldom work as advertised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational. Therefore, not only are browser hijackers worthless, but they also endanger device/user safety.

How did Searchproonline.com install on my computer?

Browser hijackers can have "official" promotional pages, and they are endorsed on scam websites. Users typically access such webpages through redirects caused by sites that use rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, intrusive adverts, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

Furthermore, intrusive advertisements are used to distribute browser-hijacking software directly. When clicked on, some of these ads can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

Browser hijackers can also be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs. Downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) - increase the risk of bundled content infiltrating the system.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software before download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be done from official and trustworthy sources. When installing, it is essential to read terms, inspect possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out of all supplements.

We advise being vigilant when browsing since fraudulent and malicious material typically appears legitimate. For example, intrusive adverts may look harmless yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., pornography, gambling, adult-dating, etc.).

If you experience such advertisements and/or redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Searchproonline.com, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of searchproonline.com redirecting via searchgenieo.com to the Yahoo 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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is Searchproonline.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Searchproonline.com application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Searchproonline.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove searchproonline.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove searchproonline.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Searchproonline.com 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, "Searchproonline.com"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the searchproonline.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Searchproonline.com 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 "Searchproonline.com" 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 "Searchproonline.com" (or simply "Search"), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.searchproonline.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 "searchproonline.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 searchproonline.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 "Searchproonline.com", 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 "Searchproonline.com", remove hxxp://searchproonline.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 searchproonline.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 searchproonline.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 searchproonline.com website?

Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser-hijacking software and fake search engines) generate profit through redirects to websites like the searchproonline.com page.

Is visiting searchproonline.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like searchproonline.com typically collect visitor data. The intent behind it is to generate revenue by selling this sensitive information to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are mainly distributed via bundled program installation setups, untrustworthy download channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.), online scams, fake updaters, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Searchproonline.com browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate all the browser-hijacking applications present. It is noteworthy that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective, especially when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. Since after just one is removed - the others may simply re-install it. Additionally, browser-hijacking software can restrict access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes. Hence, browser hijackers must be removed thoroughly and all at once.

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