How to remove Rapid Search browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Rapid Search?
While testing the Rapid Search browser extension, our team learned that it functions as a browser hijacker. This app promotes prosearchsolutionz.com (a questionable search engine) by taking control of a web browser (by changing its settings). Thus, it is recommended to avoid using Rapid Search and its search engine.
Rapid Search browser hijacker overview
Rapid Search is promoted as an app that offers rapid searches for the ideal web search experience. However, this application forces users to visit and use prosearchsolutionz.com as their default search engine. Also, Rapid Search sets prosearchsolutionz.com as the new tab page and homepage.
During our examination, prosearchsolutionz.com was down. However, it appears to be an unreliable or fake search engine. Such search engines may redirect users to websites that contain malware or viruses that can infect their devices and compromise their security.
Also, they may track users' online activities and collect their personal information, including login credentials, financial data, and browsing history, which can be used for malicious purposes such as identity theft. Additionally, fake search engines may not have strong privacy policies, and they may sell or share users' personal data with third-party companies without their consent.
Another reason not to trust prosearchsolutionz.com is that it may provide irrelevant or inaccurate search results, leading to wasted time and frustration for users.
It is worth mentioning that search engines like prosearchsolutionz.com can redirect users to bing.com and other legitimate search engines. However, it does not make them more reliable.
| Name | Rapid Search |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Rapid Search |
| Supposed Functionality | Rapid searches for the ideal web search experience |
| Promoted URL | prosearchsolutionz.com |
| Detection Names (prosearchsolutionz.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (prosearchsolutionz.com) | 35.226.116.123 |
| 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), 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 are a type of unwanted apps that change web browser settings without the consent or knowledge of users. They typically modify the homepage, search engine, and new tab page to redirect users to a specific website or search engine. Once a browser is hijacked, users may experience slow browsing, pop-up ads, and unwanted toolbars or extensions.
Examples of different browser hijackers are Homerun Extension, Oceans - New Tab, and eBook Search.
How did Rapid Search install on my computer?
To avoid browser hijackers and fake search engines, users should be careful when downloading software and only download from trusted sources. It is also recommended to keep the installed antivirus software up-to-date and avoid clicking on suspicious links or ads.
Most browser hijackers and fake search engines are often spread through software downloads or malicious links or ads. Some browser hijackers are bundled with legitimate software, so users may inadvertently download them when installing a new program.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Users should also be cautious when installing browser extensions or plugins and always read the permissions and privacy policies before installing. If your computer is already infected with Rapid Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Website promoting Rapid Search browser hijacker:
Permissions asked by Rapid Search browser hijacker:
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 Rapid Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Rapid Search application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Rapid Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove prosearchsolutionz.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove prosearchsolutionz.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Rapid 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 (which cause browser redirects to the prosearchsolutionz.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Rapid 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 "Rapid 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 "Rapid Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.prosearchsolutionz.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 "prosearchsolutionz.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 prosearchsolutionz.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 "Rapid 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 "Rapid Search", remove hxxp://prosearchsolutionz.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 prosearchsolutionz.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 prosearchsolutionz.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 visit prosearchsolutionz.com website?
Typically, the reason for compelling users to visit a website like prosearchsolutionz.com is to generate traffic and revenue for the website owner.
Is visiting prosearchsolutionz.com a threat to my privacy?
Prosearchsolutionz.com could gather data on your browsing activity, search queries, and any personal information you submit through it.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers have the ability to gain unauthorized access to your computer through a variety of methods, including software bundling, malicious email attachments or links, questionable extensions, add-ons, harmful websites, ads, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Rapid Search browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will run a system scan and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. It is recommended to remove such apps using Combo Cleaner because manual removal of multiple browser hijackers designed to reinstall one another can be challenging.
Outstanding!
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