How to remove software that causes redirects to brandnewsearch.com

What kind of website is brandnewsearch.com?

Brandnewsearch.com is the address of a fake search engine. It is endorsed (via redirects) by the Brand New Search rogue browser extension. It modifies browser settings to generate these redirects, and due to this behavior – Brand New Search is categorized as a browser hijacker.

Brand New Search browser hijacker overview

Brand New Search makes changes to browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new browser tabs/windows. Due to these modifications, users can get redirected to the brandnewsearch.com illegitimate search engine instead of their preferred Internet search site.

Websites within this classification typically cannot provide search results, so they redirect to genuine search engines. Brandnewsearch.com leads users to the Yahoo search engine (search.yahoo.com). Keep in mind that this page could land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation may impact redirects.

It is pertinent to mention that browser-hijacking software often utilizes persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate its removal and prevent browser recovery.

Furthermore, Brand New Search likely has data-tracking abilities, as they are standard for browser hijackers. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The collected data can be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

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

Threat Summary:

Name	Brand New Search
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Brand New Search
Promoted URL	brandnewsearch.com
Detection Names (brandnewsearch.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

We have investigated thousands of browser hijackers; Bounce off the Wall, Pianoic, Wise Search, X-Finder. Search, and FindQuest are merely some examples.

Software within this category usually appears harmless. Users are enticed into downloading/installing by promises of various "handy" functionalities. However, these features seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.

It must be mentioned that even if an extension or app operates as indicated by its promotional material – that is not irrefutable proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Brand New Search install on my computer?

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

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with regular programs. The threat of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from untrustworthy sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installations (e.g., skipping steps and sections, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Intrusive adverts proliferate browser hijackers as well. Once clicked on, some of the advertisements can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user permission.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. We also advise caution when installing programs, e.g., reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additional apps, extensions, tools, etc.

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

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

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

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

Brand New 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.

Brand New Search browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Brand New 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 "Brand New 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 "Brand New Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.brandnewsearch.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 "brandnewsearch.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 brand new search 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 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 "Brand New 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 "Brand New Search", remove hxxp://brandnewsearch.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 brand new search 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 brand new search 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on brand new search browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit brandnewsearch.com website?

Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) generate revenue through redirects to sites like brandnewsearch.com.

Is visiting brandnewsearch.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites classed as fake search engines (e.g., brandnewsearch.com, etc.) tend to gather information about their visitors. The data can then be sold to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser-hijacking software is primarily spread via deceptive promotional pages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, online scams, bundled installation setups, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Brand New Search browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might not be an ideal solution. In cases where multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the devices, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with this software installed. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

▼ Show Discussion