How to remove nowsearchit.com from the settings of a web browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is nowsearchit.com?
We have tested nowsearchit.com and found that it is a questionable search engine that may generate unreliable results. Search engines of this kind are promoted mainly via browser hijackers. Typically, users install/add apps of this type without knowing that these apps will change the settings of their web browsers.
How do browser hijackers promote nowsearchit.com?
Questionable search engines like nowsearchit.com often use manipulative tactics to trick users into visiting potentially harmful websites. These search engines may present themselves as legitimate and offer enhanced search capabilities, but in reality, they can redirect users to shady pages and provide irrelevant results.
Moreover, nowsearchit.com may track and store all search queries performed by the user, which can reveal personal information and interests. It may also collect data on the user's browsing behavior, such as websites visited, links clicked, and pages viewed.
Additionally, nowsearchit.com may collect information about the user's computer system, such as IP address, browser type, etc. The data collected by nowsearchit.com may be used to display personalized ads, sell to third parties, or even be used for identity theft or other malicious purposes.
Name | nowsearchit.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 | 13.33.252.122 |
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. |
More about browser hijackers
Browser hijackers are unwanted apps that can modify a web browser's settings. They typically change the user's default search engine, homepage, or new tab page to promote a shady of fake search engine. Some browser hijackers can prevent users from undoing their changes.
Examples of browser-hijacking apps are Movie Searcher, Cosmos Extension, and Tennis Start.
How did nowsearchit.com promoting software install on my computer?
Most browser hijackers are disseminated through deceptive websites, fake installers, misleading advertisements, and software bundles. During the installation process, a software bundle typically provides "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual", or similar settings that allow the user to customize the installation process.
Users inadvertently install browser hijackers alongside other software if they fail to modify these settings during an installation.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Exercise caution when downloading applications and files from the Internet. Read reviews before downloading apps, and download software from official sources and reliable platforms. Additionally, it is important to thoroughly review the options provided in installers and unselect any unwanted applications before proceeding with the installation.
It is also important to avoid clicking on ads displayed on suspicious websites or their notifications. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Nowsearchit.com shows results (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is nowsearchit.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove nowsearchit.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove nowsearchit.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove nowsearchit.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
nowsearchit.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 nowsearchit.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
nowsearchit.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.nowsearchit.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 "nowsearchit.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 nowsearchit.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://nowsearchit.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 nowsearchit.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 nowsearchit.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:
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit nowsearchit.com website?
The owners of search-movie.com earn greater revenue as the volume of visitors increases.
Is visiting nowsearchit.com a threat to my privacy?
Bogus search engines can be designed to gather user data, including search inquiries, browsing habits, and personal details, which their developers can sell to third-party advertisers or exploit for nefarious objectives.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
App of this type are distributed mainly through bundled installers, dubious download sources such as freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, online frauds, deceptive browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner has the ability to scan your computer and eliminate any existing browser-hijacking applications. It is important to keep in mind that manual removal may not always be successful, particularly when faced with multiple browser hijackers that repeatedly reinstall each other.
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