Removal instructions for the eBook Search browser hijacker

What is eBook Search?

Our researchers discovered the eBook Search browser extension while investigating deceptive websites. This piece of software is presented as a tool for easy access to ebooks. However, our analysis of eBook Search revealed that it is a browser hijacker and endorses the sear.ebooksearchnow.com fake search engine.

eBook Search browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software promotes fake search engines by assigning them as browsers' defaults as well as homepages and new tab/window URLs.

eBook Search modifies browsers in this manner as well. Therefore, with this browser hijacker installed: search queries typed into the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened – result in redirects to the sear.ebooksearchnow.com website.

Illegitimate search engines are rarely able to provide search results, so they redirect to genuine Internet search sites. During our analysis, sear.ebooksearchnow.com redirected (via genieosearch.com) to the legitimate Yahoo search engine (search.yahoo.com). Note that it might land elsewhere since redirects can be dictated by factors like user geolocation.

It is noteworthy that browser-hijacking software commonly uses persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from restoring their browsers.

Furthermore, eBook Search has data-tracking functionalities. Targeted information may include: URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so on. The gathered information can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of software like eBook Search on devices can result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	eBook Search
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	eBook Search
Supposed Functionality	Easy access to ebooks.
Promoted URL	sear.ebooksearchnow.com
Detection Names (sear.ebooksearchnow.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (sear.ebooksearchnow.com)	68.183.124.106
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
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).
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Browser hijacker examples

CovidDash, Cloud Weather, Yearn New Tab, and ChatSAI are merely a few examples of browser hijackers that we have inspected recently.

Browser-hijacking software usually appears ordinary and harmless. It also tends to offer various functionalities, which are rarely operational. Keep in mind that even if an extension/application works as advertised – that is not definitive proof of its legitimacy or safety.

How did eBook Search install on my computer?

We acquired eBook Search from its "official" promotional webpage. In addition to such sites, browser hijackers are endorsed by scam pages. Most visitors to these deceptive webpages access them via redirects caused by mistyped URLs, websites that use rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Browser hijackers can also be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. Download from untrustworthy channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., used "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the device.

Intrusive advertisements proliferate browser-hijacking software as well. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified sources. It is just as important to approach installation with care, e.g., by reading terms, exploring available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, etc.

We advise being cautious while browsing since fake and malicious content typically appears ordinary and innocuous. For example, intrusive advertisements may look harmless yet redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., adult dating, gambling, pornography, etc.).

If you keep experiencing ads and/or redirects of this kind, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with eBook Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by eBook Search browser hijacker:

Screenshot of sear.ebooksearchnow.com fake search engine's alternative appearance:

Website promoting eBook Search browser hijacker:

Appearance of sear.ebooksearchnow.com redirecting (via genieosearch.com) to Yahoo (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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is eBook Search?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove eBook Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove sear.ebooksearchnow.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove sear.ebooksearchnow.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

eBook Search browser hijacker 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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

eBook Search browser hijacker 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 "eBook Search" and 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 "eBook Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.sear.ebooksearchnow.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 "sear.ebooksearchnow.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 sear.ebooksearchnow.com redirect, 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 extensions 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 "eBook Search", as well as 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 "eBook Search", remove hxxp://sear.ebooksearchnow.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 sear.ebooksearchnow.com redirect 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 sear.ebooksearchnow.com redirect, 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 to visit sear.ebooksearchnow.com website?

Redirects to sites like sear.ebooksearchnow.com are generated because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) profit through them.

Is visiting sear.ebooksearchnow.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites like sear.ebooksearchnow.com usually gather (and sell) visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily distributed through bundled installers, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove eBook Search browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. It must be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be ideal, especially in cases where multiple browser hijackers are present. Since after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, this software might render removal-related settings inaccessible. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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