How to remove bestsearch.ai from your web browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is bestsearch.ai?
Upon conducting tests on bestsearch.ai, we discovered that the search engine is unreliable and produces questionable results, often including advertisements. Such search engines are commonly associated with browser hijackers, which promote them by modifying web browser settings.
Bestsearch.ai overview
Bestsearch.ai is considered a questionable search engine that has the potential to display misleading search results and questionable advertisements. Bestsearch.ai can promote various pages and apps depending on its configuration and the intentions of those behind it.
Bestsearch.ai may display sponsored links and advertisements that lead to third-party websites, including potentially malicious or low-quality sites. Additionally, it might promote certain applications, potentially including adware or other unwanted programs, which can negatively impact the user experience and compromise the security of the affected system.
Also, bestsearch.ai may collect various types of data when users interact with it. This can include search queries, IP addresses, browser information, device information, and other data related to the preferences or behavior of users. Thus, it is always recommended to use reputable and trusted search engines that prioritize user privacy and provide transparent data handling practices.
| Name | bestsearch.ai 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 | 104.21.62.242 |
| 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), dubious websites, and similar channels. |
| 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
Typically, browser hijackers modify web browser settings without the user's consent. They often change the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to redirect the user to unwanted websites or display intrusive advertisements. Browser hijackers can compromise online privacy, security, and user experience, making it important to remove them to restore control over the browser settings.
Examples of browser hijackers are Personalized Background, Shapes Tab, and Car Tab.
How did bestsearch.ai promoting software install on my computer?
Users can end up having their browsers hijacked through various methods. One common way is through bundled software installations, where a browser hijacker is included as an additional component alongside legitimate software. Users may inadvertently agree to install (or add) the hijacker by quickly going through the installation process without carefully reviewing the included components.
Clicking on misleading advertisements or downloading software from untrusted sources can also lead to browser hijacking. Additionally, visiting malicious websites or clicking on deceptive links can trigger automatic downloads of browser hijackers.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
In order to avoid browser hijackers, it is important to be cautious when installing software. Download applications from official and trusted sources, and carefully review the installation process, paying attention to any additional components or bundled software.
Avoid clicking on suspicious advertisements or misleading links, and be cautious when installing browser extensions or plugins, ensuring they come from reputable sources. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Update May 31, 2023: Recently this browser hijacker was observed being distributed by a rogue "Apps Chrome extension". You can read more about this campaign here.
Bestsearch.ai delivers search results (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:
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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 bestsearch.ai?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove bestsearch.ai browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove bestsearch.ai homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove bestsearch.ai redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
bestsearch.ai 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 bestsearch.ai website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
bestsearch.ai 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.bestsearch.ai) 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 "bestsearch.ai", 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 bestsearch.ai 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://bestsearch.ai 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 bestsearch.ai 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 bestsearch.ai 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 bestsearch.ai website?
By redirecting users' browsers to bestsearch.ai, the creators of the website aim to increase its visibility, attract more users, and potentially generate revenue through advertisements or sponsored search results displayed on the search engine.
Is visiting bestsearch.ai a threat to my privacy?
Visiting bestsearch.ai can potentially pose a threat to your privacy. As a questionable search engine, bestsearch.ai may collect and track your browsing activities, search queries, and other information to gather user data.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers can infiltrate your computer through methods like software bundling, deceptive advertisements and links, and visiting malicious websites. They may also be introduced through phishing emails and drive-by downloads.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Manual removal may not be sufficient if multiple hijackers are present and can reinstall each other. Some settings may also remain inaccessible until all hijackers are removed simultaneously. Combo Cleaner can scan your computer and remove all browser-hijacking applications at once.
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