How to remove searchitonlinehome.com from web browser settings
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of search engine is searchitonlinehome.com?
While testing searchitonlinehome.com, we found that it shows ads and may display questionable results. Thus, it is not a completely reliable search engine. It is common for dubious search engines to be promoted via browser hijackers. Apps of this type change web browser settings to force users to use shady search engines or other addresses.
More about searchitonlinehome.com
Search engines like searchitonlinehome.com often display low-quality search results with irrelevant or outdated information or even deliberately misleading links. Also, they may track and collect user data without consent and may even sell it to third-party advertisers or other entities.
Additionally, searchitonlinehome.com shows advertisements that may lead to untrustworthy pages (e.g., phishing sites or pages that host potentially malicious applications). Thus, it is recommended to avoid using searchitonlinehome.com and opt for a more reputable and trustworthy search engine like Google.
Typically, shady or fake search engines are promoted via browser hijackers. Most browser hijackers change browser settings such as the homepage, default search engine, and new tab page, and redirect users to unwanted or potentially harmful websites (mostly unreliable search engines). They may also track user data and display unwanted advertisements.
Name | searchitonlinehome.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 | N/A (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address | 143.204.29.104 |
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. |
Dubious search engines in general
Shady search engines have the ability to show search results that are either irrelevant, outdated, or purposely misleading, all with the intention of luring users into clicking on specific links or advertisements. Often, these search engines are promoted through browser-hijacking applications that prevent users from restoring their original browser settings.
Examples of other unreliable or fake search engines like searchitonlinehome.com are readytodistribute.com, searchmetoday.com, and browsing-guard.xyz.
How did searchitonlinehome.com promoting software install on my computer?
Browser hijackers can be bundled with other software that users download and install from the Internet. Browsers get hijacked when users finish installations without deselecting browser hijackers included in software installers.
Also, users may inadvertently download a browser hijacker by visiting a malicious website that automatically installs the software onto their browser without their knowledge or consent or by downloading a fake software update that contains a browser hijacker. Another popular distribution method is to disguise browser hijackers as legitimate/useful apps.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Only download software from reputable and trusted sources. Avoid downloading apps with few or no reviews. Be cautious of suspicious links or ads, and avoid clicking on them. Before downloading or installing software, carefully deselect any additional unwanted apps. Do not agree to receive notifications from dubious 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.
Searchitonlinehome.com shows 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 searchitonlinehome.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove searchitonlinehome.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove searchitonlinehome.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove searchitonlinehome.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
searchitonlinehome.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 searchitonlinehome.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
searchitonlinehome.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.searchitonlinehome.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 "searchitonlinehome.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 searchitonlinehome.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://searchitonlinehome.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 searchitonlinehome.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 searchitonlinehome.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 searchitonlinehome.com website?
The revenue generated by the creators of searchitonlinehome.com is directly linked to the number of visitors to a website.
Is visiting searchitonlinehome.com a threat to my privacy?
Shady search engines may collect and share user data with third-party advertisers or other entities without the user's knowledge or consent. This can put users' privacy and security at risk.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are commonly distributed using social engineering techniques, such as browser notifications, intrusive ads, software bundles, and similar methods.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner can scan your computer and remove any browser-hijacking applications that are currently added to the browser/installed on a computer. However, manual removal may not always be effective, as multiple browser hijackers may be present and reinstall each other. Combo Cleaner removes all browser hijackers simultaneously.
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