How to remove searchessearches.com from your web browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is searchessearches.com?
We have examined searchessearches.com and found that it is a fake search engine. Our team discovered searchessearches.com after adding an untrustworthy application to a web browser. One of the extensions promoting searchessearches.com is named Apps. We discovered it on a deceptive website.
How do browser hijackers promote searchessearches.com?
Searchessearches.com is a fake search engine that displays search results from the Bing search engine by redirecting users to bing.com. Searchessearches.com may also collect search queries and browsing data to track online activities and display targeted ads or sell the data to third parties. Thus, it should be removed from browsers as soon as possible.
As mentioned in the introduction, searchessearches.com is promoted via an app named Apps and possibly other shady extensions. We found that Apps is a browser hijacker. It hijacks a web browser by replacing the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page with searchessearches.com. However, it does not always modify browser settings to promote searchessearches.com.
In addition to promoting searchessearches.com, Apps adds the "Managed by your organization" feature to Chrome browsers. Since this app is distributed via a deceptive page, it may be capable of gathering browsing history, search queries, IP address, geolocation data, login credentials, credit card information, and personal information.
This data can be utilized to display targeted advertisements, sold to third-party advertisers, or even used to commit identity theft or financial fraud.
| Name | searchessearches.com browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Apps (and possibly other shady extensions) |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Detection Names (searchessearches.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (App Installer) | Alibaba (TrojanDropper:Win64/BroDrop.e64df667), Cylance (Unsafe), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win64/Shafmia.A), Kaspersky (UDS:Trojan-Dropper.Win64.BroDrop.gen), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.B!ml), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
Browser hijackers in general
Browser hijackers promote fake or suspicious search engines by modifying the settings of web browsers to force users to use their search engines. They may also prevent users from reverting to their previous settings until the browser hijacker is removed. In addition to hijacking browsers, these apps can collect various data.
Some examples of browser hijackers are Online Video Platforms, My Weather, and Sport Engine.
How did searchessearches.com promoting software install on my computer?
There are several ways that browser hijackers can be installed on a user's computer (or added to a web browser), including through accidental downloads when installing free software from untrusted websites or clicking on shady links or untrustworthy ads.
In addition, users may unknowingly install (or add) browser hijackers by not carefully reviewing software installation prompts and ignoring the option to change settings like "Custom" or "Advanced".
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
When installing software, read the installation options and decline any additional apps that are not needed or wanted. Download apps from official websites and verified stores. Avoid downloads from other sources (e.g., shady pages or P2P networks). Do not click ads and links on shady pages. Do not agree to receive notifications from dubious 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.
Searchessearches.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Website used to trick users into downloading a browser hijacker designed to promote searchessearches.com:
Apps extension asks for permissions:
Description of the Apps extension:
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 searchessearches.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove searchessearches.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove searchessearches.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove searchessearches.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
searchessearches.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 searchessearches.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
searchessearches.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 "Apps" or other 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 ("Apps" if present), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.searchessearches.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 "searchessearches.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 searchessearches.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://searchessearches.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 searchessearches.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 searchessearches.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 searchessearches.com website?
The more visitors searchessearches.com receives, the higher the revenue generated for its creators.
Is visiting searchessearches.com a threat to my privacy?
Generally, search engines such as searchessearches.com are capable of gathering various forms of information about their users. They are known for collecting data related to browsing behavior.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Users may inadvertently add browser hijackers to their systems by downloading and installing freeware or shareware programs that are bundled with these unwanted apps. Additionally, users may unknowingly click on pop-up ads or visit malicious websites that prompt the download and installation of browser hijackers.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Apps and any other browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner can scan your computer and eliminate all browser-hijacking applications. Nevertheless, manual removal might not always provide a comprehensive solution, particularly when multiple browser hijackers have been added to a web browser that can reinstall one another. In such situations, it is necessary to remove all browser hijackers simultaneously.
Outstanding!
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