Removal instructions for the Qtr Search browser hijacker

What kind of software is Qtr Search?

Qtr Search is a rogue extension classed as a browser hijacker. This piece of software hijacks browsers by making changes to their settings. The aim is to promote (through redirects) the qtrsearch.com fake search engine.

Qtr Search browser hijacker overview

Browser hijackers assign promoted sites as browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new tab/window URLs. Due to these modifications, users are forced to visit the endorsed website (in case of Qtr Search – qtrsearch.com) when they open a new browser tab/window or enter a search query into the URL bar.

Most fake search engines cannot generate search results, so they lead to legitimate Internet search sites. qtrsearch.com redirects to the Yahoo search engine (search.yahoo.com). Note that this webpage could land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.

In some cases qtrsearch.com redirects users to kosearch.com which ultimately leads to search.yahoo.com.

It is pertinent to mention that browser-hijacking software often employs persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate its removal and prevent users from restoring their browsers.

Additionally, browser hijackers tend to have data-tracking functionalities, and this might be true of Qtr Search. Software within this classification usually targets browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The collected information can be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of software like Qtr Search on devices may lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Qtr Search
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Qtr Search
Promoted URL	qtrsearch.com
Detection Names (qtrsearch.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
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

The Yellow Tab, Customize Your New Tab, and QweZ are merely some examples of browser hijackers we have investigated recently.

Browser-hijacking software typically appears ordinary and innocuous. It can also offer a wide variety of handy functions. However, these functionalities seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. Keep in mind that operational features do not prove a software's legitimacy or safety.

How did Qtr Search install on my computer?

Browser hijackers are endorsed on legitimate-looking promotional webpages and scam sites. Most users enter these pages via redirects caused by intrusive ads, websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, and installed adware.

"Bundling" – packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is also used to distribute browser hijackers.

Downloading from freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, and other suspect sources – poses a threat of bundled content infiltrating the device. This risk is further compounded by treating installations with negligence, e.g., by ignoring terms, skipping steps/sections, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.

Additionally, browser-hijacking software is proliferated by intrusive adverts. When clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly advise researching software and downloading it only from official/trustworthy channels. When installing, we recommend reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplements (e.g., apps, tools, extensions, features, etc.).

Another recommendation is to be careful when browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, despite their innocuous appearance – intrusive ads redirect users to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult dating, pornography, scam-promoting, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with such adverts/redirects, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Qtr Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of qtrsearch.com redirecting to the Yahoo search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by Qtr 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 Qtr Search?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Qtr Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove qtrsearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove qtrsearch.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Qtr 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.

Qtr Search browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Qtr 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 "Qtr 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 "Qtr Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.qtrsearch.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 "qtrsearch.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 qtrsearch.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 "Qtr 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 "Qtr Search", remove hxxp://qtrsearch.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 qtrsearch.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 qtrsearch.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 qtrsearch.com website?

The purpose of developing software that causes rogue redirects is profit. In other words, the developers generate revenue through redirects to sites like qtrsearch.com.

Is visiting qtrsearch.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites like qtrsearch.com usually collect visitors' data. The information can then be sold to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most widely used distribution techniques include: bundled installers, deceptive promotional pages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, and online scams.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Qtr Search browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. It must be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might not be ideal, especially when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software might be able to deny access to removal-related settings or undo user-made changes. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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