How to remove New key browser hijacker from your web browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is New key?
Upon examining the New key browser extension, it has been concluded that its purpose is to function as a browser hijacker. More precisely, this app is created to change the settings of hijacked browsers to force users to use keysearchs.com, a fake search engine. Applications of this nature should not be regarded as trustworthy.
New key browser hijacker overview
Once added, the New key extension can modify the default homepage and search engine to direct users to keysearchs.com, a fraudulent search engine. The extension may also restrict users from changing these settings back to their preferences, effectively locking them into using the fake search engine.
It is important to mention that keysearchs.com is a fake search engine because it does not generate unique results. Instead, keysearchs.com redirects users to bing.com via search-checker.com (another shady address). Bing.com is a legitimate search engine owned by Microsoft. However, it does not make keysearchs.com trustworthy.
Using fake search engines can pose several significant dangers to users. These deceptive search engines often provide inaccurate, irrelevant, or manipulated search results, making it challenging to find genuine information or access trustworthy websites.
Moreover, fake search engines can lead users to potentially harmful or malicious websites, increasing the risk of encountering malware or phishing attacks. They also compromise user privacy, as they may track and collect sensitive data, such as search queries and browsing habits, which can be exploited for targeted advertising or other nefarious purposes.
Overall, relying on fake search engines undermines the security, privacy, and overall online experience of users, emphasizing the importance of using reputable and trusted search engines.
| Name | New key |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | New key |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | keysearchs.com |
| Detection Names (keysearchs.com) | Seclookup (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (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), 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. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the New Key browser extension represents a clear example of a browser hijacker, compromising the browsing experience of users. By forcibly altering essential browser settings and directing users to the untrustworthy search engine keysearchs.com, this extension exposes users to potential risks, including malware and privacy breaches.
More examples of apps sharing similarities with New key are Cute Goats Tab, Horoscope Harmony, and Extreme Sports Wallpapers.
How did New key install on my computer?
Browser hijacking often occurs when users unknowingly add browser extensions or install software or applications with hidden components to manipulate their browser settings. Deceptive advertisements disguised as helpful updates or enhancements can also lead users to download these unwanted elements.
Furthermore, users can end up adding or installing browser hijackers when interacting with files downloaded via P2P networks, third-party downloaders, free file hosting sites, notifications from unreliable pages, etc.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Users should exercise vigilance when installing software (check the installers for settings allowing them to deselect unwanted apps), carefully review permissions, and opt for trusted sources. It is crucial to steer clear of suspicious advertisements or pop-ups that prompt downloads or updates and instead obtain enhancements directly from official websites.
Regularly updating the browser and employing security tools can also help in preventing vulnerabilities that hijackers exploit. Moreover, users should be cautious while browsing, avoiding unverified websites that may carry hidden threats.
If your computer is already infected with New key, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Keysearchs.com redirecs to bing.com via search-checker.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by New key 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is New key?
- STEP 1. Uninstall New key application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove New key 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.
New key 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 keysearchs.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
New key 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 "New key" 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 "New key", 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 "New key", 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 "New key", 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 visit keysearchs.com website?
The primary purpose of forcing users to visit keysearchs.com is to drive traffic to this specific website, potentially with malicious intent. Forcing users to visit keysearchs.com generates revenue for its creators.
Is visiting keysearchs.com a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines like keysearchs.com often engage in the unauthorized collection of user data, such as search queries, browsing history, and even personal information. This data may then be exploited for various purposes, including targeted advertising, and potentially sold to third parties. Consequently, your online activities and sensitive information may be at risk of being compromised when using such deceptive search engines.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are predominantly disseminated through bundled installation packages, misleading promotional websites, online frauds, free software downloads, file-sharing networks, unsolicited browser notifications, and invasive advertisements.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner will conduct a computer scan and effectively remove any existing browser-hijacking applications. It is important to note that manual removal is not always foolproof, especially when multiple browser hijackers are involved and can reinstall each other.
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