How to remove the TRES browser hijacker and the redirects it causes
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of software is TRES?
The TRES extension is promoted as a tool that displays tree-themed browser wallpapers. Our researchers found this piece of software during a routine investigation of suspicious websites. After examining TRES, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. This extension makes modifications to browser settings in order to promote the srchinwetr.com fake search engine.
TRES browser hijacker overview
In most cases, browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of promoted sites.
TRES changes these settings to the srchinwetr.com webpage. Hence, whenever a new browser tab/window is opened or a search query is entered into the URL bar – it results in a redirect to srchinwetr.com.
It is pertinent to mention that browser-hijacking software often uses persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate its removal and prevent users from recovering their browsers.
Fake search engines are rarely capable of generating search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search websites. Srchinwetr.com is not an exception; it lands on the Bing search engine (bing.com). It is noteworthy that this webpage could lead elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation might impact redirects.
Furthermore, TRES likely spies on users' browsing activity. Software within this classification usually targets the following data: browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so on. The collected data can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software like TRES on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | TRES |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | TRES |
| Supposed Functionality | Tree-themed browser wallpapers |
| Promoted URL | srchinwetr.com |
| Detection Names (srchinwetr.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (srchinwetr.com) | 13.32.164.9 |
| 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. |
Browser hijacker examples
We have investigated countless browser hijackers; Goals Tracker, Photon Search, and Qwik Ant are but a couple of our newest finds.
This software tends to look legitimate and harmless. Users are enticed into downloading/installing it by promises of various "handy" features. However, these functionalities seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.
It must be stressed that even if a browser extension or an application operates as indicated by its promotional material – that is not a guarantee of either legitimacy or safety.
How did TRES install on my computer?
We acquired TRES from its "official" promotional webpage. These types of sites are common in browser hijacker distribution, as are outright scam pages. Most visitors access such webpages via redirects generated by misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, websites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, or installed adware.
Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs. Downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and treating installations with negligence (e.g., skipping steps, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of permitting access for bundled content into systems.
Intrusive advertisements proliferate browser hijackers as well. Some of the adverts can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform downloads/installations without user consent.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly recommend researching software before downloading or purchasing it. Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and trustworthy sources. Installation processes must be treated with caution. Therefore, we advise reading terms, exploring possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, etc.
Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since fake and malicious online content typically appears genuine and harmless. For example, intrusive ads may look innocuous – yet redirect to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., gambling, scam-promoting, adult dating, pornography, etc.).
If you keep encountering adverts and/or redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with TRES, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of srchinwetr.com redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):
Website promoting TRES 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:
▼ 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 TRES?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove TRES browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove srchinwetr.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove srchinwetr.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
TRES 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.
TRES 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 "TRES" 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 "TRES", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.srchinwetr.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 "srchinwetr.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 srchinwetr.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 "TRES", 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 "TRES", remove hxxp://srchinwetr.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 srchinwetr.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 srchinwetr.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 srchinwetr.com website?
Redirect to sites like srchinwetr.com are generated because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) profit through them.
Is visiting srchinwetr.com a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like srchinwetr.com usually collect visitor data to sell it to third-parties.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are primarily distributed via deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installation setups, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, intrusive ads, and spam browser notifications.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove TRES browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. Note that manual removal (performed without 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. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software might be capable of denying access to removal-related settings and/or undoing user-made changes. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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