How to stop redirects to control-search.xyz
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is control-search.xyz?
Our tests of control-search.xyz revealed it to be a fake search engine that does not produce its own search results. It is important to note that these types of search engines are often promoted through browser-hijacking applications, and users often unintentionally add them to their browsers.
More about control-search.xyz
We found that control-search.xyz shows Bing results (it redirects users to bing.com). Bing is a legitimate search engine. However, it does not mean that using control-search.xyz is safe.
Questionable search engines are those that are not reputable or trustworthy and are known to generate inaccurate, irrelevant, or intentionally misleading search results. Also, they often show advertisements that can lead to potentially harmful web pages.
Additionally, these search engines may collect and sell user data to third parties, leading to privacy concerns. They usually gather search queries, browsing history, location information, and other data that can be used for various purposes (e.g., targeted advertising).
It is common for shady and fake search engines to be promoted through browser hijackers. These apps modify the settings of web browsers to redirect users to specific websites. They change the user's homepage, search engine, or new tab page to a different site, often a questionable search engine.
| Name | control-search.xyz 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 | Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Seclookup (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 104.21.43.156 |
| 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 and browser hijackers in general
Questionable search engines often display irrelevant, outdated, or misleading search results and collect user data. They are often promoted through browser-hijacking apps that change web browser settings.
Using browser hijackers and shady search engines can lead to privacy and security issues, unwanted redirects and pop-ups, system performance issues, and other problems. Thus, it is recommended to avoid browser-hijacking apps and use reputable search engines like Google.
Examples of browser hijackers that promote fake or dubious search engines are Clipbox Tab, Qwik Search, and Never Forget Tab.
How did control-search.xyz promoting software install on my computer?
Browser hijackers are frequently distributed through deceptive websites, fake installers, and software updates and bundled with other programs. In the latter case, browsers become hijacked when users install programs without adjusting the "Custom," "Advanced," or similar settings in software installers that contain additional apps (browser hijackers).
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Before downloading or installing any software, make sure to check the downloaders and installers for any ticked checkboxes and look for options like "Manual," "Custom," or "Advanced" settings. Deselect any optional apps, such as browser hijackers, before proceeding with the download or installation.
It is also recommended to download files and programs from official websites (and stores), rather than using P2P networks, third-party downloaders, shady websites, or similar sources. Additionally, avoid clicking on advertisements that appear on questionable sites.
If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Control-search.xyz redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is control-search.xyz?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove control-search.xyz browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove control-search.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove control-search.xyz redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
control-search.xyz 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 control-search.xyz website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
control-search.xyz 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.control-search.xyz) 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 "control-search.xyz", 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 control-search.xyz 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://control-search.xyz 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 control-search.xyz 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 control-search.xyz 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 control-search.xyz website?
The revenue of developers of control-search.xyz is directly dependent on the number of visitors their website receives.
Is visiting control-search.xyz a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines like control-search.xyz can be designed to gather various information about their visitors. Thus, using fake search engines can cause issues related to online privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijacking often occurs via deceptive ads, fake installers and software updates, software bundles, notifications from shady pages, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner can scan your computer and remove any existing browser-hijacking applications. It is important to note that manual removal may not always be effective, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present that can reinstall each other. Combo Cleaner removes all detected browser hijackers at once.
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