How to stop a browser from opening goodsearchez.com
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is goodsearchez.com?
We have tested goodsearchez.com and found that it is a fake search engine that does not generate unique results. Typically, fake and other untrustworthy search engines are promoted mainly via browser hijackers. Our team also found that goodsearchez.com is promoted via a fake Google Docs extension.
More about goodsearchez.com and the app promoting it
Goodsearchez.com redirects users to bing.com, meaning that users basically end up searching the web via Bing, a legitimate search engine. However, goodserarchez.com may be tracking users. It is common for fake search engines to be designed to gather browsing-related and other data. That data can be misused for marketing purposes, sold to third parties, or monetized in other ways.
As we mentioned in the introduction, goodsearchez.com is promoted via a fake Google Docs browser extension. This extension places invisible layers on visited web pages to trick users into opening potentially malicious pages (e.g., phishing sites, technical support scam pages, etc.). Also, it adds the "Managed by your organization" feature to Chrome browsers
It is worth mentioning that fake search engines like goodsearchez.com usually are promoted via browser hijackers. Apps of this type hijack web browsers by modifying their settings such as the default search engine, homepage, and (or) a new tab page. Moreover, they prevent users from removing fake search engines from these settings. Typically, it cannot be done while browser hijackers are added to browsers.
| Name | goodsearchez.com browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Google Docs (a fake app) |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Serving IP Address (goodsearchez.com) | 104.21.15.98 |
| Detection Names (Malicious Installer - Sample 1) | ALYac (Adware.Agent.YPK), Combo Cleaner (Adware.Agent.YPK), Emsisoft (Adware.Agent.YPK (B)), Panda (Trj/Agent), Webroot (W32.Malware.Gen), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (Malicious Installer - Sample 2) | Malwarebytes (Malware.AI.2051398626), Webroot (W32.Malware.Gen), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| 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-hijacking apps
Usually, these apps are promoted as legitimate and useful. However, they rarely provide any useful features. Fake search engines promoted via browser hijackers can generate misleading results (promote untrustworthy pages) and show unwanted advertisements.
Clean Notifications, Surf Start, and Whiteboard New Tab are the examples of apps designed to hijack web browsers.
How did goodsearchez.com promoting software install on my computer?
The application (fake Google Docs app) promoting goodsearchez.com is distributed via a website hosting software cracking tools. Also may be distributed via other shady (unofficial) websites and third-party stores.
Another popular way to distribute browser hijackers is to bundle them with other programs. They are included in installers as extra offers. Users agree to add or install browser-hijacking apps when they finish software installations without changing "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings or unticking checkboxes.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download applications from official websites and stores. Avoid downloads from unofficial pages, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, third-party stores, and similar sources. Do not click on fake buttons or trust ads on dubious web pages. Also, do not allow suspicious pages to show notifications.
Always deselect unwanted applications included in downloaders and installers before downloading and installing programs (especially free ones). If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Goodsearchez.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Screenshot of a deceptive website used to promote the malicious installer which injects the fake Google Docs extension:
Appearance of the fake Google Docs extension which promotes the goodsearchez.com website:
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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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 goodsearchez.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove goodsearchez.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove goodsearchez.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove goodsearchez.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
goodsearchez.com 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 goodsearchez.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
goodsearchez.com 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 the fake "Google Docs" app 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 the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.goodsearchez.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 "goodsearchez.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 goodsearchez.com 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://goodsearchez.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 goodsearchez.com 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 goodsearchez.com 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 goodsearchez.com website?
Usually, fake search engines generate more revenue for their developers when the number of their users is higher.
Is visiting goodsearchez.com a threat to my privacy?
Goodsearchez.com is a fake search engine. Thus, it may be capable of gathering browsing-related and other information that may be misused for marketing and other purposes.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Most browser hijackers are distributed via deceptive ads, software bundles (mostly freeware installers), notifications from shady websites, etc. Users rarely add browser hijackers to browsers intentionally.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will remove a browser hijacker. If there are multiple browser hijackers added to a browser or installed on the operating system, it may be difficult to remove them manually. In such cases, these apps may be capable of reinstalling one another. Combo Cleaner removes all unwanted apps at once.
Outstanding!
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