How to remove Searchsit browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is Searchsit?
Upon our examination, it came to our attention that Searchsit has been crafted to promote searchsit.com. This browser extension achieves its objective by modifying the configurations of a web browser, coercing users to visit searchsit.com. Thus, we have classified Searchsit as a browser hijacker.
Searchsit browser hijacker overview
Searchsit is programmed to set grammarjet.com as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. When users input search queries through a browser hijacked by Searchsit, they are redirected from searchsit.com to bing.com. It is important to note that searchsit.com is a counterfeit search engine that fails to generate any results.
While bing.com is a legitimate and trustworthy search engine, it is important to recognize that fake search engines such as searchsit.com, particularly when promoted through browser hijackers, lack reliability. Fake search engines can show irrelevant and inaccurate search results and even lead users to malicious pages and scams.
Also, fraudulent search engines often compromise user privacy and security by collecting and potentially selling sensitive personal information, such as browsing habits and search history, to third parties without consent. This invasion of privacy can lead to targeted advertising, identity theft, or other forms of online exploitation.
Overall, the use of fake search engines poses significant risks to both individual users and the broader online community, making it imperative to stick to reputable and trustworthy search engines for safe and reliable browsing experiences.
| Name | Searchsit |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Searchsit |
| Supposed Functionality | Enhanced browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | searchsit.com |
| Detection Names (searchsit.com) | Criminal IP (Phishing), Fortinet (Malware), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (searchsit.com) | 104.21.8.75 |
| 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
Browser hijackers present a significant threat to users' online security and browsing experiences. These intrusive software programs manipulate browser settings, redirect traffic, and compromise user privacy. It is crucial for users to remain vigilant, employ robust cybersecurity measures, and promptly address any signs of browser hijacking to mitigate the risks associated with these malicious apps.
Additional examples of apps that function as browser hijackers Grammar Jet and Minimalist Search.
How did Searchsit install on my computer?
Browser hijackers often come bundled with other programs (mostly the ones distributed using shady channels). Users who hastily go through the installation process without adjusting the default settings (failing to deselect unwanted offers) inadvertently consent to install browser hijackers or other unwanted apps.
Moreover, users are susceptible to browser hijacking when they click on deceptive links, pop-ups, counterfeit download buttons, or advertisements. They may also unknowingly trust notifications from unreliable websites or inadvertently install or add browser hijackers while installing pirated software.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
When downloading programs, stick to reputable sources such as official websites and app stores. Take time to review the installation process, explore options like "Advanced" or "Custom" settings, and deselect any bundled software or browser extensions that are not necessary.
Avoid clicking on dubious links or ads, particularly those in emails, pop-ups, or unfamiliar websites. Enhance your protection by using robust security software like antivirus and antimalware programs, and ensure all software and the operating system are regularly updated.
If your computer is already infected with Searchsit, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Searchsit.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Searchsit browser hijacker:
Website promoting Searchsit browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is Searchsit?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Searchsit application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Searchsit browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove searchsit.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove searchsit.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Searchsit 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 searchsit.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Searchsit browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Searchsit browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:
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 "Searchsit" 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 "Searchsit", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.searchsit.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 "searchsit.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 searchsit.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 "Searchsit", 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 "Searchsit", remove hxxp://searchsit.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 searchsit.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 searchsit.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 searchsit.com website?
The goal of forcing users to visit searchsit.com is to benefit the site owners financially and (or) exploit users for malicious purposes.
Is visiting searchsit.com a threat to my privacy?
Yes, visiting searchsit.com could pose a threat to your privacy as it may collect your browsing data and potentially expose you to security risks.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Your computer may have been infiltrated by a browser hijacker during the installation of software downloaded from untrustworthy sources, via deceptive links or advertisements, notifications from deceptive pages, or compromised websites.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Searchsit browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner can scan your computer and eliminate any detected browser-hijacking applications. Manual removal may not always be sufficient, especially if multiple hijackers are present and programmed to reinstall each other, requiring simultaneous removal.
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