Removing software that generates redirects to trendysearches.com

What kind of website is trendysearches.com?

Trendysearches.com is the address of a fake search engine that provides inaccurate and potentially harmful search results. Websites of this kind are usually promoted (via redirects) by browser hijackers. Illegitimate search engines and the software endorsing them usually collect vulnerable user data.

How do browser hijackers promote trendysearches.com?

Browser-hijacking software assigns promoted websites as browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new tab/window URLs. With one endorsing trendysearches.com installed: Web searches performed via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened – would result in redirects to this site.

It is worth mentioning that browser hijackers may restrict access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes – to complicate their removal and prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Fake search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other legitimate Internet search websites. Trendysearches.com is an exception as it can provide search results, although they are inaccurate and include sponsored, deceptive, and potentially dangerous content. However, it is pertinent to mention that trendysearches.com might redirect somewhere instead of generating search results itself.

Illegitimate search engines and browser-hijacking software typically gather sensitive information. Targeted data may include: searched queries, visited URLs, viewed webpages, IP addresses, Internet cookies, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, finance-related information, etc. The collected data can then be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

To summarize, the presence of browser hijackers on a device may result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	trendysearches.com browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Detection Names	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	18.160.249.2
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.

Fake search engine and browser hijacker examples

We have investigated countless fake search engines and browser hijackers; isearch.start.fyi, searchmenow.gg, bestsearch.ai – are merely a few examples of the former, and Volume Extra, Space backgrounds pictures, Kryopage – of the latter.

These sites and software appear legitimate and harmless. They often promise advantageous features, which are usually fake. Note that even if a website or a piece of software operates as indicated by its promotional material – that is not a guarantee of either legitimacy or safety.

How did trendysearches.com promoting software install on my computer?

Browser hijackers may have "official" promotional webpages. Additionally, this software is commonly pushed through scam sites. Most visitors to these pages access them via redirect caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware.

The bundling marketing technique – parking regular program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is also used to distribute browser hijackers. The risk of permitting bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., using "Quick/Express" settings, etc.).

Intrusive advertisements proliferate browser-hijacking software as well. When clicked on, some of the ads can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly advise researching software and downloading it only from official/verified sources. Installation processes must be treated with care, e.g., by reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps extensions, tools, etc.

Another recommendation is to exercise caution while browsing since fake and malicious content usually appears harmless. For example, while intrusive adverts may look ordinary and innocuous – they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

In case of encounters with such ads/redirects, check the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Appearance of a trendysearches.com redirect (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 trendysearches.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove trendysearches.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove trendysearches.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove trendysearches.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Trendysearches.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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Trendysearches.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 "Extensions" and click "Manage 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.trendysearches.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 "trendysearches.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 trendysearches.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://trendysearches.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 trendysearches.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 trendysearches.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 to visit trendysearches.com website?

Redirects to websites like trendysearches.com are generated because cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) profit through them.

Is visiting trendysearches.com a threat to my privacy?

To some extent, yes. Websites like trendysearches.com tend to gather visitor data with the goal of selling it to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most widely used distribution methods include: bundled installers, online scams, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be a perfect solution. When multiple browser hijackers are present, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. What is more, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable with this software installed. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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