How to remove Extended Search - Default Search browser hijacker

What kind of application is Extended Search - Default Search?

Upon closer inspection of the application, we identified that Extended Search - Default Search is a browser hijacker that promotes extended-search.com. This extension hijacks a browser by modifying its settings. Also, Extended Search - Default Search may be capable of collecting browsing-related and other data.

Extended Search - Default Search browser hijacker overview

Extended Search - Default Search hijacks a web browser by forcing users to use extended-search.com as their search engine. Upon adding this extension to a browser, it changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to extended-search.com. During examination, we found that extended-search.com is a fake search engine.

Instead of providing its search results, extended-search.com redirects users to bing.com. Users receive results from Bing, a legitimate search engine owned by Microsoft. Despite the redirection to bing.com, it is important to highlight that fake search engines like extended-search.com should be avoided.

Fake search engines often lack proper security measures, leaving users vulnerable to malware and phishing attacks. Secondly, fake search engines can compromise user privacy by collecting and misusing personal data for unauthorized purposes. Additionally, relying on fake search engines may lead to inaccurate or manipulated search results, hindering users' ability to find reliable information online.

Overall, avoiding fake search engines is essential to protect both the security and privacy of users' browsing experiences. Removing browser hijackers like Extended Search - Default Search from browsers is also important. As mentioned in the introduction, apps of this type can be designed to gather data.

Browser hijackers typically collect various types of user data, including browsing history, search queries, clicked links, IP addresses, geolocation data, and sometimes even personal information such as usernames and passwords.

Threat Summary:

Name	Extended Search - Default Search
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Extended Search - Default Search
Supposed Functionality	Improved browsing experience
Promoted URL	extended-search.com
Detection Names (extended-search.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (extended-search.com)	172.67.153.111
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. ▼ 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.

Conclusion

In conclusion, safeguarding against browser hijackers and fake search engines is recommended for maintaining online security and privacy. They can not only compromise user data but also disrupt the browsing experience with deceptive tactics. More examples of browser-hijacking apps are Cat Tab HD, Happy Dolphin Club, and Purging Properly.

How did Extended Search - Default Search install on my computer?

Users can encounter browser hijacking by clicking on unreliable links, pop-ups, or advertisements, especially those promoting fake search engines or promising enticing offers. Moreover, browser hijacking can occur as a result of visiting compromised or malicious websites or downloading from P2P networks, unofficial sites, shady app stores, etc.

Users can also unwittingly have their browsers hijacked when installing software. Browser hijackers are frequently bundled with seemingly legitimate programs, often free software or browser extensions. During installations, users may inadvertently agree to install or add additional software, including browser hijackers.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Download programs from reliable sources, such as official websites or trusted app stores. Avoid downloading programs from unfamiliar or suspicious websites. During the installation process, pay close attention to each step and deselect additional software or browser extensions that are bundled with the program being installed.

If your computer is already infected with Extended Search - Default Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Extended-search.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):

Permissions asked by Extended Search - Default Search browser hijacker:

Website promoting Extended Search - Default Search 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 Extended Search - Default Search?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Extended Search - Default Search application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Extended Search - Default Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove extended-search.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove extended-search.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Extended Search - Default 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 (which cause browser redirects to the extended-search.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Extended Search - Default 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 "Extended Search - Default 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 "Extended Search - Default Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.extended-search.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 "extended-search.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 extended-search.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 "Extended Search - Default 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 "Extended Search - Default Search", remove hxxp://extended-search.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 extended-search.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 extended-search.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 extended-search.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 visit extended-search.com website?

The purpose of forcing users to visit extended-search.com is to generate traffic and potentially earn revenue through advertising or data gathering.

Is visiting extended-search.com a threat to my privacy?

This website may collect your browsing habits, IP address, geolocation data, and other personal information without your consent. Thus, it is not safe to use this fake search engine.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

A browser hijacker likely infiltrated your computer when downloading and installing software from untrustworthy sources, clicking on malicious links or advertisements, or inadvertently agreeing to install bundled software during the installation process of legitimate programs.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Extended Search - Default Search browser hijacker?

Combo Cleaner will eliminate any added or installed browser-hijacking applications. It is worth noting that manual removal may not always be successful, particularly if multiple apps of this type are present and capable of reinstalling one another.

▼ Show Discussion