Removing browser-hijacking software causing redirects to greatselections.co

What is greatselections.co?

While investigating browser-hijacking software, our research team discovered the greatselections.co fake search engine. While in most cases, these sites cannot provide search results, greatselections.co can generate them – but they are inaccurate and may contain deceptive/harmful content.

Illegitimate search engines are typically promoted (through redirects) by browser hijackers. It is noteworthy that both this software and the websites they endorse tend to collect sensitive user data.

How do browser hijackers promote greatselections.co?

Browser-hijacking software reassigns browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tab/window URLs to the promoted website addresses. Hence, with a browser hijacker pushing greatselections.co installed: Web searches performed via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened – result in redirects to this site.

It is pertinent to mention that bthis software may restrict access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes – in order to prevent browser recovery.

Fake search engines are rarely able to provide search results; hence, they tend to redirect to Yahoo, Bing, Google, and other legitimate ones. However, greatselections.co can generate inaccurate search results, which are full of irrelevant content that may promote dubious/malicious sites.

Furthermore, browser-hijacking software and the websites it endorses – usually collect private information. Targeted data may include: browsing and search engine histories, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so forth. The gathered data can be shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

To summarize, the presence of a browser hijacker on a device can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	greatselections.co 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	ESET (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	151.101.2.114
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

We have analyzed countless illegitimate search engines and browser hijackers; some of our latest finds include – smartresultsnow.net, searchresultsquickly.com, and searchresultsfast.com of the former, while Art Tab, Nature NewTab Extension, Nautica – are a few of the latter.

These apps/extensions and sites typically appear legitimate and offer "advantageous" features. However, they seldom operate as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. Even if either function as indicated by the promotional material – keep in mind that that is not proof of their legitimacy or safety.

How did greatselections.co promoting software install on my computer?

Browser hijackers can have "official" promotional pages, and they are pushed by scam websites. Most users access such webpages through redirects caused by sites that use rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

"Bundling" – packing regular installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is also used to proliferate browser-hijacking software. Downloading from dubious channels (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes – increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the device.

Additionally, intrusive advertisements can infiltrate browser hijackers into systems. When clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user permission.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

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

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

In case of encounters with such advertisements/redirects, check the device 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 greatselections.co 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 greatselections.co?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove greatselections.co browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove greatselections.co homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove greatselections.co redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Greatselections.co 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.

Greatselections.co 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.greatselections.co) 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 "greatselections.co", 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 greatselections.co 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://greatselections.co 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 greatselections.co 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 greatselections.co 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 to visit greatselections.co website?

Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) generate revenue through redirects to websites like greatselections.co.

Is visiting greatselections.co a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like greatselections.co usually gather visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most commonly used techniques for distributing browser hijackers include: bundled installers, deceptive promotional sites, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.

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 programs) might not be ideal. In cases where multiple browser hijackers are present, after one is eliminated – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with this software installed. Therefore, it is paramount to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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