Removing The Big 5 browser hijacker and redirects to searchm5.com

What kind of software is The Big 5?

While inspecting dubious websites, our research team discovered The Big 5 browser extension. Our analysis of this piece of software revealed that it is a browser hijacker that promotes (via redirects) the searchm5.com fake search engine.

The Big 5 browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software reassigns browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new browser tab/window URLs to the addresses of promoted websites. Hence, with The Big 5 installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar – result in redirects to the searchm5.com sites.

Fake search engines are usually incapable of providing search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search websites. This also applies to searchm5.com; it redirects to the Bing search engine (bing.com). However, it could land elsewhere since factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.

It is pertinent to mention that browser hijackers commonly use persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate their removal and prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Furthermore, The Big 5 likely has data-tracking functionalities. Targeted information may include: browsing and search engine histories, most visited URL list, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The gathered information can then be monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

To summarize, browser-hijacking software like The Big 5 may cause system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	The Big 5
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	The Big 5
Promoted URL	searchm5.com
Detection Names (searchm5.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (searchm5.com)	13.249.85.59
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

We have investigated countless browser hijackers; Foxy Tab, Art And Weather, and Recycling Tree are merely a few of our latest finds.

Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and innocuous. Users are enticed into downloading/installing this software by promises of useful functionalities, which are rarely operational. Note that even if a piece of software works as advertised – that s not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did The Big 5 install on my computer?

We acquired The Big 5 from its "official" promotional page. In addition to such sites, browser hijackers are commonly endorsed on scam webpages. Most visitors enter these pages via redirects generated by websites employing rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs. The risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., skipping steps, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Intrusive adverts proliferate browser hijackers as well. Once clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. Installation processes must be treated with caution, e.g., by reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, and so forth.

Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since fake and dangerous online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive adverts may look harmless – however, they redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

If you continuously encounter such ads/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions. If your computer is already infected with The Big 5, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Screenshots of the permissions asked by The Big 5 browser hijacker:

Screenshots of the website promoting The Big 5 browser hijacker:

Appearance of searchm5.com redirecting to the Bing search engine (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 The Big 5?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove The Big 5 browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove searchm5.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove searchm5.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

The Big 5 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.

The Big 5 browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove The Big 5 browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

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 "The Big 5" 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 "The Big 5", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.searchm5.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 "searchm5.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 searchm5.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 "The Big 5", 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 "The Big 5", remove hxxp://searchm5.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 searchm5.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 searchm5.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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on searchm5.com redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit searchm5.com website?

Redirects to websites like searchm5.com are caused because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) generate revenue through them.

Is visiting searchm5.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Sites like searchm5.com typically collect (and sell) visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

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

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove The Big 5 browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate all the browser-hijacking applications present. Note that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be an ideal solution, especially when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software might render removal-related settings inaccessible. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

▼ Show Discussion