How to eliminate the QuickMovie Search browser hijacker

What kind of software is QuickMovie Search?

QuickMovie Search is a rogue browser extension discovered by our research team during a routine investigation of suspect websites. This piece of software makes changes to browser settings in order to promote the search.quickmovietab.com fake search engine. Due to this behavior, QuickMovie Search is categorized as a browser hijacker.

QuickMovie Search browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software modifies browser settings by assigning promoted websites as the homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URL. Therefore, with QuickMovie Search installed: Web searches performed via the URL bar and new browser tabs/windows opened – result in redirects to the search.quickmovietab.com webpage.

Fake search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to genuine Internet search websites. At the time of research, search.quickmovietab.com led to the Bing search engine (bing.com). Keep in mind that this site could redirect elsewhere since factors like user geolocation might impact redirects.

Browser hijackers typically use persistence-ensuring mechanisms to prevent browser recovery, and QuickMovie Search does as well.

Additionally, this rogue browser extension may have data-tracking abilities. Software within this classification primarily targets: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, etc. The gathered data can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software like QuickMovie Search on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	QuickMovie Search
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	QuickMovie Search
Promoted URL	search.quickmovietab.com
Detection Names (search.quickmovietab.com)	Seclookup (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (search.quickmovietab.com)	104.21.66.189
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 analyzed countless browser hijackers; SearchToDo, Naturey New Tab, Inspire Me Tab, and Nature Of The World Extension are merely some examples.

Browser-hijacking software appears legitimate and offers "useful" functionalities. However, these functions rarely work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. It must be stressed that even if a piece of software operates as advertised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did QuickMovie Search install on my computer?

We acquired QuickMovie Search from a deceptive webpage. Various online scams and legitimate-looking promotional pages are used to push browser hijackers. Most users enter these webpages via redirects generated by sites using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. The risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., skipping steps, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).

Additionally, intrusive advertisements proliferate browser hijackers. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

It is essential to research software and download it only from official/verified channels. When installing, we recommend reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additions (e.g., apps, extensions, tools, features, etc.).

Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, intrusive advertisements may look innocuous – yet they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

Should you keep encountering ads/redirects of this kind, check the device and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with QuickMovie Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of search.quickmovietab.com redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by QuickMovie Search browser hijacker:

Deceptive websites promoting QuickMovie Search browser hijacker:

Sample 1:

Sample 2:

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

QuickMovie Search 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.

QuickMovie Search 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 "QuickMovie Search" 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 "QuickMovie Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.quickmovietab.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 "search.quickmovietab.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 search.quickmovietab.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 "QuickMovie Search", 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 "QuickMovie Search", remove hxxp://search.quickmovietab.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 search.quickmovietab.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 search.quickmovietab.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 search.quickmovietab.com website?

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

Is visiting search.quickmovietab.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites like search.quickmovietab.com collect (and sell) information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily distributed via deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installers, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, intrusive ads, and spam browser notifications.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove QuickMovie Search browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. Note that manual removal (unaided by security software) might be ineffective, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed – the others might simply reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software can restrict access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes. Therefore, it is essential to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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