Removal instructions for the "key pro" browser hijacker

What kind of software is "key pro"?

Our research team found the "key pro" browser extension while investigating untrustworthy websites. After analyzing this piece of software, we learned that it is a browser hijacker. This extension changes browser settings to endorse (via redirects) the keysearchs.com fake search engine. Additionally, key pro spies on users' browsing activity.

Key pro browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software typically reassigns browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tab/window URLs to promoted website addresses. Therefore, Web searches performed via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened – result in redirects to the endorsed webpage.

Key pro pushes the keysearchs.com illegitimate search engine. Fake Internet search websites usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to genuine search engines. During our analysis of key pro, we observed several redirection chains.

In some instances, they led through keysearchs.com to search.mycooltab.com and finally landed on the legitimate Bing search engine (bing.com). Another chain likewise culminated in Bing but redirected through keysearchs.com and search-checker.com.

It is noteworthy that key pro could cause different redirection chains, as they may be impacted by factors like user geolocation.

In many cases, browser hijackers use persistence-ensuring mechanisms to prevent users from recovering their browsers.

What is more, key pro has data-tracking abilities. This extension collects browsing histories, but it might also target Internet cookies, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, finance-related information, etc. The gathered information can then be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

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

Threat Summary:

Name	key pro
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	key pro
Promoted URL	keysearchs.com
Detection Names (keysearchs.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (keysearchs.com)	45.79.226.98
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 examined countless browser hijackers; Search-UIX, Travel Tab, and To Do Search are merely a couple of examples. Browser-hijacking software seldom appears suspicious. It tends to look legitimate and offers a wide variety of useful and advantageous functionalities. However, these features are usually fake and nonoperational.

It must be emphasized that even if a piece of software works as indicated by its promotional material – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did key pro install on my computer?

We obtained the key pro browser extension from a deceptive webpage. Browser-hijacking software is commonly endorsed through legitimate-looking promotional pages and scam sites.

Visitors primarily access these webpages via redirects caused by websites that employ rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

Browser hijackers can also be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs. The risk of 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 installation (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping steps/sections, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Intrusive advertisements proliferate the software as well. When clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

It is important to always research software before downloading or purchasing it. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and verified channels. When installing, we advise reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, etc.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant when browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears genuine and innocuous. For example, while intrusive ads may look harmless – they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, adult dating, gambling, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with adverts/redirects of this kind, check the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with key pro, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by key pro browser hijacker:

Deceptive website promoting key pro browser hijacker:

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

Key pro 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.

Key pro 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 "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "key pro" 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 "key pro", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.keysearchs.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 "keysearchs.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 keysearchs.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 "key pro", 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 "key pro", remove hxxp://keysearchs.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 keysearchs.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 keysearchs.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 keysearchs.com website?

Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) generate revenue through redirects to sites like keysearchs.com.

Is visiting keysearchs.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Keysearchs.com and other fake search engines typically collect (and sell) information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser-hijacking software is primarily distributed via deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, online scams, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, bundled installers, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove key pro browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate all browser-hijacking applications present. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might not be ideal, 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 may be capable of denying access to removal-related settings and/or undoing user-made changes. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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