How to remove the Prizm Search browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of software is Prizm Search?
Our researchers discovered the Prizm Search browser extension while inspecting questionable websites. After analyzing this piece of software, we learned that it is a browser hijacker. This extension operates by changing browser settings to promote (via redirects) the vsrcunow.com fake search engine.
Prizm Search browser hijacker overview
Browser-hijacking software reassigns browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of promoted sites. Prizm Search changes these settings to the vsrcunow.com page. Therefore, with this extension installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries entered into the URL bar – result in redirects to vsrcunow.com.
It is pertinent to mention that software within this classification often relies on persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as restricting access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to prevent users from restoring their browsers.
Fake search engines usually are incapable of generating search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search websites. At the time of research, vsrcunow.com redirected to the Bing search engine (bing.com). Note that this site could land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation might influence redirects.
Furthermore, browser hijackers typically have data-tracking functionalities, and this might apply to Prizm Search. Targeted information can include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, browser cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The collected information can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.
In summary, the presence of browser-hijacking software like Prizm Search on devices may result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Prizm Search |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Prizm Search |
| Promoted URL | vsrcunow.com |
| Detection Names (vsrcunow.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (vsrcunow.com) | 108.156.201.89 |
| 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
Flixtab, Dictionary Ext, Horoscope Ext, and Adventure Wallpaper Extension are just some examples of browser hijackers we have examined recently.
Software within this category typically appears legitimate and innocuous. Users may be lured into downloading/installing browser hijackers by promises of various "handy" functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.
It must be mentioned that even if an extension or app operates as advertised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.
How did Prizm Search install on my computer?
We acquired Prizm Search from its "official" promotional webpage. In addition to such pages, browser hijackers are endorsed on scam sites. Visitors primarily access these webpages via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, or installed adware.
Additionally, browser-hijacking software can be bundled with (packed alongside) regular programs. Downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and treating installations with negligence (e.g., using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) – increase the threat of inadvertently permitting bundled content to infiltrate the system.
Intrusive advertisements proliferate this software as well. Once clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user permission.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
It is essential to research software before downloading or purchasing it. Furthermore, all downloads must be made from official and verified channels. Installation processes must be treated with caution by reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, etc.
Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing, as fraudulent and dangerous online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, despite their ordinary/harmless appearance – intrusive ads redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).
In case of continuous encounters with such advertisements/redirects, inspect the device and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Prizm Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of vsrcunow.com redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):
Permissions asked by Prizm Search browser hijacker:
Website promoting Prizm 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is Prizm Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Prizm Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove vsrcunow.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove vsrcunow.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Prizm 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.
Prizm 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 "Prizm 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 "Prizm Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.vsrcunow.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 "vsrcunow.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 vsrcunow.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 "Prizm 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 "Prizm Search", remove hxxp://vsrcunow.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 vsrcunow.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 vsrcunow.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 vsrcunow.com website?
The motivation behind developing software that causes rogue redirects – is profit. In other words, developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers generate revenue through redirects to websites like vsrcunow.com.
Is visiting vsrcunow.com a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Sites classed as fake search engines (e.g., vsrcunow.com, etc.) typically collect visitor data in order to sell it to third-parties.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are predominantly proliferated via bundled installers, freeware and free file-hosting sites, online scams, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Prizm Search browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate all detected browser-hijacking applications. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without security tools) might be ineffective, especially when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these instances, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software may be capable of denying access to removal-related settings and/or undoing user-made changes. Therefore, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.
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