How to eliminate redirects to the search2online.com fake search engine

What is search2online.com?

Search2online.com is the URL of a fake search engine. Websites of this kind are usually promoted by software under the browser hijacker classification. This software modifies browsers in order to promote (by causing redirects to) sites like search2online.com. It is noteworthy that both illegitimate search engines and browser hijackers usually collect sensitive user data.

How do browser hijackers promote search2online.com?

Browser-hijacking software operates by reassigning browsers' default search engines, new tab/window URLs, and homepages to the addresses of promoted sites. Therefore, with a browser hijacker promoting search2online.com installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and Web searches performed via the URL bar – result in redirects to this website.

Furthermore, browser-hijacking software tends to use various persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent browser recovery.

Fake search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to Yahoo, Bing, Google, and other legitimate Web-searching websites. However, search2online.com is an exception since it can generate search results, but they are inaccurate.

Additionally, at the time of research search2online.com also endorsed unrelated sponsored content. It is noteworthy that the results provided by illegitimate search engines may include deceptive and malicious sites.

What is more, fake search engines and browser-hijacking software typically gather information. Targeted data may include: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, bookmarks, IP addresses, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so on. The collected data can be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of browser hijackers on a device may lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	search2online.com browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Detection Names	Heimdal Security (Malicious), Seclookup (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	143.204.29.95
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).
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.

Fake search engine and browser hijacker examples

Thebestwefind.com, searchatwebs.com, gosearches.gg – are a few examples of illegitimate search engines we have analyzed recently, and Art Tab, Racing Cars Tab, Nautica – of browser hijackers.

These sites and the software promoting them usually look ordinary and harmless. They can also offer various "handy" functionalities, which are rarely operational. However, it must be stressed that even if the software's/site's features work as advertised – that is not proof of its legitimacy or safety.

How did search2online.com promoting software install on my computer?

Browser hijackers can have "official" download webpages, and they are promoted on scam sites. Users typically enter these pages via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Intrusive advertisements also distribute browser-hijacking software. When clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.

"Bundling" is also used to proliferate browser hijackers. This software can be bundled with ordinary programs. Download from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., used "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the device.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified sources. Furthermore, when installing, it is essential to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out of additional apps, extensions, features, etc.

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

In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Appearance of the search2online.com redirect (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 search2online.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove search2online.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove search2online.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove search2online.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Search2online.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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

search2online.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.search2online.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 "search2online.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 search2online.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://search2online.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 search2online.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 search2online.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:
If you have additional information on search2online.com browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit search2online.com website?

Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) generate revenue through redirects to sites like search2online.com.

Is visiting search2online.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites like search2online.com typically collect visitor data with the purpose of selling it to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily distributed via bundled installers, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your system and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be a perfect solution, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. Since when one browser hijacker is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable with browser-hijacking software installed. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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