How to remove Search-News Default Search browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is Search-News Default Search?
While testing the Search-News Default Search application, we found that it functions as a browser hijacker. It promotes a fake search engine (search-news.xyz) by changing some of the settings of a web browser. We discovered Search-News Default Search on a shady web page.
Search-News Default Search browser hijacker overview
Search-News Default Search sets search-news.xyz as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. Also, it does not allow users to replace search-news.xyz with any other address while it is added to a web browser. Search-news.xyz is a fake search engine because it redirects to bing.com (shows results by Bing).
Search engines promoted by browser hijackers can show misleading results and redirect to untrustworthy pages. Thus, it is highly advisable to use legitimate search engines only. In addition to promoting a fake search engine, Search-News Default Search can read and change data.
Data accessed by this application may be misused for marketing purposes, sold to third parties, or monetized in other ways. Thus, having Search-News Default Search added to a web browser may cause issues related to online privacy.
| Name | Search-News Default Search |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Search-News Default Search |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | search-news.xyz |
| Detection Names | Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (search-news.xyz) | 104.21.11.120 |
| 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
Browser hijackers promote shady search engines. Not all browser hijackers change the settings of web browsers to promote them. Most users download and add apps of this type inadvertently (without knowing that their browsers will be hijacked). Examples of browser-hijacking apps are Daily Inspiration, Crypto Currency Converter, and Sticky Notes.
How did Search-News Default Search install on my computer?
Search-News Default Search is promoted on an untrustworthy website claiming that a free extension might be required. Search-News Default Search hijacks a web browser after completing the steps provided on that (and possibly another) page.
Also, browser hijackers are often included in installers as optional installations. Users agree to install/add browser hijackers when they finish installations without changing "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings. Clicking on shady advertisements can also lead to unwanted downloads and installation.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download applications from official web pages and verified stores. Avoid using P2P networks, shady pages, third-party downloaders (and stores), and similar sources to download software. Do not trust advertisements on dubious websites or allow such pages to show notifications.
Always deselect additionally included unwanted apps before finishing downloads and installations. If your computer is already infected with Search-News Default Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Search-news.xyz redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Search-News Default Search browser hijacker:
Deceptive page promoting Search-News Default 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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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 Search-News Default Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Search-News Default Search application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Search-News Default Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove search-news.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove search-news.xyz redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Search-News Default 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the search-news.xyz website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Search-News Default Search browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Search-News Default Search browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:
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 "Search-News Default 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 "Search-News Default Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search-news.xyz) 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-news.xyz", 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-news.xyz 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 "Search-News Default 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 "Search-News Default Search", remove hxxp://search-news.xyz 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-news.xyz 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-news.xyz 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-news.xyz website?
Search-news.xyz is more profitable for its developers when the number of its users is higher.
Is visiting search-news.xyz a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines like search-news.xyz typically can be designed to collect various information about their visitors. Thus, using them may lead to problems related to online privacy or other issues.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are often distributed via shady notifications from untrustworthy pages, intrusive advertisements, software bundles, etc. Most users add or install browser hijackers unintentionally.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Search-News Default Search browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan the operating system and remove browser hijackers. Since browser hijackers can be designed to reinstall one another, it may be necessary to remove them at once (if there is more than one browser hijacker present). It can be difficult to achieve it manually. Thus, we recommend using Combo Cleaner for the removal of unwanted apps.
Outstanding!
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