How to eliminate the Author Pics Default Search browser hijacker

What kind of software is Author Pics Default Search?

While reviewing suspicious sites, our research team discovered the Author Pics Default Search browser extension. This piece of rogue software modifies browser settings to endorse (via redirects) the author.pics fake search engine. It also spies on users' browsing activity. Due to this behavior, Author Pics Default Search is classed as a browser hijacker.

Author Pics Default Search browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software typically operates by reassigning browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of promoted websites.

Author Pics Default Search changes these settings to the author.pics page. Hence, new browser tabs/windows opened and Web searches performed via the URL bar – result in redirects to this site.

It is noteworthy that browser hijackers often use persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate their removal and prevent browser recovery.

Fake search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search websites. At the time of research, author.pics led to the Bing search engine (bing.com). However, this webpage could land elsewhere since factors like user geolocation might influence redirects.

Author Pics Default Search has data-tracking functionalities, which are standard for browser-hijacking software. Targeted information may include: URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. This sensitive information can be monetized through sale to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of software like Author Pics Default Search on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Author Pics Default Search
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Author Pics Default Search
Promoted URL	author.pics
Detection Names (author.pics)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (author.pics)	18.172.134.55
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

Cute Foxes, Words Finder, and Wallpapers - New Tab are just a couple examples of browser hijackers we have examined recently.

Browser-hijacking software usually appears harmless and offers useful features. However, it seldom operates as promised, and its functionalities are typically fake. Keep in mind that even if an extension or application works as advertised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Author Pics Default Search install on my computer?

Author Pics Default Search has an "official" promotional webpage. Aside from such legitimate-looking pages, browser hijackers are endorsed on scam sites. Users primarily enter these webpages via redirects caused by websites employing rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

The bundling marketing technique – packing ordinary program installation setups with unwanted/malicious additions – is also used to proliferate browser hijackers.

Downloading from freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, and other suspicious sources – increases the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system. The threat is further compounded by rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping sections, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).

Intrusive advertisements spread this software as well. Some of these 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?

It is important to always research software prior to downloading or purchasing it. We recommend downloading only from official and verified channels. When installing, it is crucial to read terms, investigate available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all supplementary apps, extensions, etc.

Fraudulent and dangerous online content typically appears legitimate and innocuous – therefore, we advise caution when browsing. For example, while intrusive ads may look harmless – they redirect to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, gambling, adult dating, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with such advertisements and/or redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Author Pics Default Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of author.pics redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by Author Pics Default Search browser hijacker:

Website promoting Author Pics 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 Author Pics Default Search?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Author Pics Default Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove author.pics homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove author.pics redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Author Pics 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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Author Pics Default Search browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Author Pics Default Search 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 "Author Pics 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 "Author Pics Default Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.author.pics) 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 "author.pics", 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 author.pics 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 "Author Pics 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 "Author Pics Default Search", remove hxxp://author.pics 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 author.pics 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 author.pics 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 author.pics 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 sites like author.pics.

Is visiting author.pics a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites classed as fake search engines (e.g., author.pics, etc.) usually collect information about their visitors to sell it to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily proliferated via bundled installation setups, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, online scams, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Author Pics Default Search browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. Note that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might not be a perfect solution, particularly when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Additionally, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable when this software is installed. Therefore, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.

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