How to remove energysearch.co from web browser's settings
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is energysearch.co?
While examining energysearch.co, we found that it is a shady search engine that may provide misleading results. Typically, search engines of this kind are promoted through browser hijackers. Apps of this type modify the settings of web browsers to promote search engines.
More about energysearch.co
Energysearch.co may display advertisements and sponsored links that lead to untrustworthy websites or prompt users to download and install malware or other unwanted software. Also, energysearch.co may collect browsing history, search queries, IP address, and other personally identifiable information, and share it with third-party advertisers and data brokers.
Therefore, it is not recommended to use energysearch.co as a search engine. Users should remove it from their browsers as soon as possible.
As mentioned in the introduction, search engines like energysearch.co are commonly promoted via browser hijackers. Once installed or added, a browser hijacker changes the browser's default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to a shady website or search engine.
In some cases, browser hijackers may prevent users from removing these changes, making it difficult to get rid of the unwanted search engine or website.
Name | energysearch.co 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 | N/A (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address | 18.118.177.255 |
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. |
Search engines of this type in general
Shady search engines may compromise user privacy, display irrelevant or biased search results, or promote unsafe content. They may also redirect users to other malicious websites or install unwanted software on the user's device. It is important to be cautious when using search engines and only use reputable ones to protect your online safety and privacy.
Examples of questionable search engines are search.tablicious.com, search.anytime-anywhere-tab.com, and search-good.com.
How did energysearch.co promoting software install on my computer?
Browsers get hijacked in various ways. In most cases, users cause it by downloading and installing software from untrustworthy sources, clicking on malicious links, or interacting with fraudulent pop-up ads. In the first case, browser hijackers are bundled with other programs.
Users inadvertently install browser hijackers when they download and install free software from the Internet. Often, free software comes bundled with additional programs that the user may not want or need. If the user does not pay attention during the installation process and skips through important steps, they may inadvertently install the bundled programs, including browser hijackers.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Be cautious when downloading and installing software. Only download software from reputable sources such as official pages and stores. Pay attention during installations. Always select custom or advanced installation options. Be wary of free software. Do not trust advertisements appearing on questionable pages.
If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Search results by energysearch.co (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 energysearch.co?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove energysearch.co browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove energysearch.co homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove energysearch.co redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
energysearch.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 (which cause browser redirects to the energysearch.co website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
energysearch.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.energysearch.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 "energysearch.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 energysearch.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://energysearch.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 energysearch.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 energysearch.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 visit energysearch.co website?
The purpose of forcing users to visit energysearch.co is typically to generate revenue through advertising. Energysearch.co may display numerous ads or sponsored search results, and each time a user clicks on one, the creators of the shady search engine may receive payment.
Is visiting energysearch.co a threat to my privacy?
Visiting energysearch.co alone may not directly threaten your privacy. However, the search engine may collect your search queries, IP address, and other browsing data to display targeted advertisements or sell to third-party advertisers. This can potentially compromise your privacy and result in unwanted targeted advertising.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers can infiltrate your computer in a variety of ways, including bundled software, fake software updates, malicious pages and advertisements, and similar channels.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning and removing browser-hijacking applications on your computer. However, manual removal may not always be effective since there could be multiple browser hijackers present that reinstall each other. Furthermore, some settings may be unmodifiable while the browser hijacker is still active. Thus, it is necessary to remove all browser hijackers at once.
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