How to remove searchthatonline.com from the settings of a browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is searchthatonline.com?
Our team has found that searchthatonline.com is a search engine that may generate questionable results and display ads. It is common for search engines of this nature to be promoted by browser hijackers, which alter the browser's settings. Users often add such apps to browsers unintentionally.
More about searchthatonline.com
Using the results generated by searchthatonline.com or clicking on its ads may lead to untrustworthy websites, such as pages that offer to download questionable or even malicious software, request personal or sensitive information, urge to call fake technical support numbers, etc.
Furthermore, search engines like searchthatonline.com, as well as the apps that promote them, can be designed to collect information about your browsing habits and other details. This information can be misused for targeted advertising, sold to third parties, or used for other monetary gains.
It is worth noting that browser hijackers are the main promoters of shady search engines. These types of apps change the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to a specific search engine, which is often fake. Browser hijackers are often designed to prevent users from undoing these changes.
| Name | searchthatonline.com browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Supposed Functionality | Accurate search results |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Detection Names | Heimdal Security (Malicious), 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. |
Shady search engines in general
Using unreliable search engines can expose users to potentially harmful websites and apps. Not only do they deliver questionable results, but they can also gather various information. For a safer online experience, it is best to use trustworthy search engines such as Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.
More examples of shady search engines are thebestwefind.com, bestdiscoveries.co, and searchatwebs.com.
How did searchthatonline.com promoting software install on my computer?
Browser hijacking often occurs when users unknowingly install (or add) a browser hijacker as part of a larger software package. Users install unwanted apps alongside other software when they finish installations without changing "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings or unchecking boxes.
Also, browser hijackers are often promoted/distributed through deceptive websites, untrustworthy advertisements, and shady browser notifications.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Be cautious when downloading and installing new software. Always check the "Manual", "Custom", or "Advanced" settings during the installation process and deselect any optional (unwanted) apps.
Download files and programs from official sources and avoid downloads from P2P networks, third-party downloaders, shady websites, and other sources of this kind. Avoid clicking advertisements on questionable sites or allow these sites to show notifications.
If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Searchthatonline.com displays search results (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 searchthatonline.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove searchthatonline.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove searchthatonline.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove searchthatonline.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
searchthatonline.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 searchthatonline.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
searchthatonline.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 all 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.searchthatonline.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 "searchthatonline.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 searchthatonline.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://searchthatonline.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 searchthatonline.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 searchthatonline.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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit searchthatonline.com website?
The more people visit a website or use a specific search engine, such as searchthatonline.com, the higher the potential for revenue for the individuals or entities responsible for creating and maintaining it. This can be achieved through various means, such as online advertising, data collection, or other monetization methods.
Is visiting searchthatonline.com a threat to my privacy?
Websites like searchthatonline.com often collect information about their visitors. Thus, using earchthatonline.com may cause issues related to online privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are often distributed via browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, and similar methods. Also, it is common for browser hijackers to be bundled with other programs (included in installers as additional offers).
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove all browser hijackers. Manual removal may not always be effective, especially if multiple browser hijackers are present. Apps of this type can be capable of reinstalling one another. In such cases, it is required to eliminate all of them at once.
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