How to stop redirects to lookingup-lookup.com
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of page is lookingup-lookup.com?
Our examination shows that lookingup-lookup.com is a fake search engine promoted via rogue applications (including malicious browser extensions). The promotion of fake search engines usually includes browser hijacking. Users who encounter lookingup-lookup.com should remove it from the settings of a browser and eliminate any associated apps.
More about lookingup-lookup.com and browser-hijacking apps
Usually, browser-hijacking extensions accomplish their goal by altering browser settings, such as the homepage, default search engine, and new tab page. This compels users to land on fake search engines or other suspicious addresses when they open a hijacked browser and perform search queries.
It is probable that lookingup-lookup.com is not just promoted via browser-hijacking extensions but also through applications that can be installed directly on the operating system. One such program known for promoting lookingup-lookup.com (causing redirects to the site) is Search Synergy 1.7.
During our investigation of lookingup-lookup.com, we observed that it redirects users to both bing.com and google.com. However, it is important to note that it may also redirect to other addresses. Currently, it appears that lookingup-lookup.com redirects users to legitimate search engines.
As it does not generate any search results of its own, it can be classified as a fake search engine. Users should avoid fake search engines because they often lead to unreliable or potentially harmful websites. Fake search engines may display manipulated search results, leading users to deceptive or malicious websites.
Additionally, they could track users' browsing habits and collect sensitive information without consent, posing a threat to privacy and security. By steering clear of fake search engines, users can lower the risk of falling victim to scams, malware, or other online threats.
Name | lookingup-lookup.com browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Browser Extension(s) | Search Synergy 1.7 and possibly other apps (including browser extensions) |
Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
Detection Names | CRDF (Malicious), Vipre (Malware), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
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), dubious websites, and similar channels. |
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
In conclusion, lookingup-lookup.com presents a concerning case of a potentially deceptive website. While our examination revealed redirects to legitimate search engines, the absence of original search results and the possibility of redirection to other addresses raise red flags regarding its legitimacy.
Users should exercise caution when encountering such sites, as fake search engines may compromise privacy and security by leading to unreliable or malicious destinations. More examples of fake search engines are resultsearch.net, ysearcher.com, and bangsearch.pro.
How did lookingup-lookup.com promoting software install on my computer?
Users may inadvertently install or add browser-hijacking software while downloading and installing other, especially free, programs from unreliable sources. In these cases, browsers become hijacked upon finishing installations without deselecting browser hijackers (e.g., changing the provided settings or unticking checkboxes).
Examples of unreliable sources for downloading apps that may be bundled with browser hijackers (or be browser hijackers) are third-party app stores, P2P networks, and unofficial sites. Clicking on misleading links or deceptive pop-up advertisements can also lead to the installation of browser-hijacking apps.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Only download software from reputable sources such as official websites or app stores. Regularly check your installed browser extensions and add-ons, and uninstall any that you do not need or seem suspicious. Exercise caution when opening links in emails, social media messages, or clicking pop-up ads. Avoid consenting to receive notifications from questionable websites.
Install reliable antivirus software and ensure it is regularly updated to detect and remove browser-hijacking programs. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
lookingup-lookup.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
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Quick menu:
- What is lookingup-lookup.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove lookingup-lookup.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove lookingup-lookup.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove lookingup-lookup.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
lookingup-lookup.com redirect 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 lookingup-lookup.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
lookingup-lookup.com redirect 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 all 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 the malicious extension (if present), look for an unwanted URL (hxxp://www.lookingup-lookup.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 "lookingup-lookup.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 lookingup-lookup.com browser hijacker, 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 plugins 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 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 malicious extension (if present), remove hxxp://lookingup-lookup.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 lookingup-lookup.com browser hijacker 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 lookingup-lookup.com browser hijacker, 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 lookingup-lookup.com website?
The purpose of forcing users to visit lookingup-lookup.com is likely to drive traffic to the website. The creators of fake search engines aim to increase traffic for various reasons, such as generating ad revenue, promoting scams, or harvesting user data.
Is visiting lookingup-lookup.com a threat to my privacy?
Visiting lookingup-lookup.com may pose a threat to your privacy as the website could be designed to gather your personal information and monitor your online activities.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
A browser hijacker likely infiltrated your computer through free or unreliable software downloads, clicking on deceptive links or ads, or visiting compromised websites.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner removes browser-hijacking applications from computers. It is worth noting that manual removal may not always be effective, especially if multiple browser hijackers are present. They may be designed to reinstall each other, requiring simultaneous removal.
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