Removal instructions for the SearchIT New Tab browser hijacker

What is SearchIT New Tab?

While researching dubious websites, our researchers found a page endorsing a browser extension called SearchIT New Tab. After inspecting this piece of software, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. SearchIT New Tab alters browser settings to promote the searchresults.store fake search engine.

SearchIT New Tab browser hijacker overview

On our test system, SearchIT New Tab assigned searchresults.store as the browser's default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URL. Therefore, when a new browser tab/window was opened or a search query was typed into the URL bar – it resulted in redirects to the searchresults.store website.

Fake search engines are typically incapable of providing search results, so they redirect to legitimate ones. Searchresults.store is not an exception; it redirected to the Google search engine. Note that where sites like searchresults.store land may vary based on various factors (e.g., user geolocation, etc.).

Furthermore, browser-hijacking software tends to use persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers. SearchIT New Tab uses the "Managed by your organization" Google Chrome feature for this purpose.

What is more, SearchIT New Tab likely collects browsing-related data. Browser hijackers usually target the following information: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The gathered information can be monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of software like SearchIT New Tab on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	SearchIT New Tab
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Detection Names (rogue installer)	Avast (Win32:PWSX-gen [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Trojan.GenericKD.46941077), ESET-NOD32 (Multiple Detections), Kaspersky (Trojan-Banker.Win32.Passteal.on), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/Azorult.RT!MTB), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Browser Extension(s)	SearchIT New Tab
Promoted URL	searchresults.store
Detection Names (searchresults.store)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (searchresults.store)	188.72.236.239
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; Worldwide Clock Extension, Search-News Default Search, and Daily Inspiration are just a few of our newest finds.

This software tends to look legitimate and harmless. Users are enticed into download/installation with various "useful" functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. Even if a browser hijacker does operate as indicated by its promotional material – that is not proof of its legitimacy or safety.

How did SearchIT New Tab install on my computer?

We acquired SearchIT New Tab from a suspicious website. Browser hijackers can have "official" promotional pages, and they are pushed through scam sites. Most users access such websites via redirects caused by pages using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Additionally, we found an installation setup bundled with SearchIT New Tab. The "bundling" technique – packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious supplements – is commonly used to proliferate browser hijackers. Downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation (e.g., using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.

Intrusive advertisements also spread browser hijackers. When clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified channels. Installation processes must be treated with care, e.g., by reading terms, exploring available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, tools, etc.

We also advise being cautious when browsing since fake and malicious content usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive advertisements look innocuous yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

In case of encounters with such ads/redirects, check the device and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with SearchIT New Tab, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by SearchIT New Tab browser hijacker:

Website promoting SearchIT New Tab browser hijacker:

Appearance of searchresults.store redirecting to the Google 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 SearchIT New Tab?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove SearchIT New Tab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove searchresults.store homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove searchresults.store redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

SearchIT New Tab 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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

SearchIT New Tab browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove SearchIT New Tab 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 "SearchIT New Tab" 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 "SearchIT New Tab", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.searchresults.store) 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 "searchresults.store", 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 searchresults.store 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 "SearchIT New Tab", 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 "SearchIT New Tab", remove hxxp://searchresults.store 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 searchresults.store 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 searchresults.store 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 searchresults.store website?

Redirects to websites like searchresults.store are caused because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) generate revenue through them.

Is visiting searchresults.store a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Sites like searchresults.store usually collect information about visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily distributed through bundled installers, untrustworthy download channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.), online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove SearchIT New Tab browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove detected browser-hijacking apps. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be ideal. In cases where multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software can 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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