Removing software that generates redirects to the hotsearch.io website

What kind of website is hotsearch.io?

Hotsearch.io is the address of a fake search engine. We found this page promoted by the HotSearch browser extension. It operates as a browser hijacker, i.e., modifies browser settings to generate redirects to the hotsearch.io site.

HotSearch was installed on our test machine by a rogue installation setup that we acquired from a Torrenting website. Keep in mind that such installers are often bundled with multiple pieces of unwanted/harmful software.

HotSearch browser hijacker overview

Browser-hijacking software typically assigns promoted sites as browsers' default search engines, new tabs/windows, and homepages. Hence, when a user enters a search query into the URL bar or opens a new browser tab/window – they can be redirected to the endorsed webpage. In the case of HotSearch, the redirects land on hotsearch.io.

Fraudulent search engines usually cannot provide search results and lead to legitimate Internet search websites (e.g., Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.). Hotsearch.io likewise is incapable of generating results, but it redirects to the boyu.com.tr fake search engine. Boyu.com.tr does provide search results, yet they are inaccurate and may include sponsored, unreliable, deceptive, and potentially dangerous content.

Furthermore, browser hijackers often use persistence-ensuring techniques, and HotSearch is no exception. It utilizes the "Managed by your organization" Google Chrome feature to complicate removal.

What is more, software within this classification usually has data-tracking abilities, and this might be true of HotSearch. Targeted information may include: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, browser cookies, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. This vulnerable information can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

In summary, the presence of browser-hijacking software like HotSearch on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	HotSearch
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	HotSearch
Supposed Functionality	Improved browsing experience
Promoted URL	hotsearch.io
Detection Names (hotsearch.io)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (hotsearch.io)	172.67.132.150
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

Brand New Search, Pianoic, Bounce off the Wall, and Wise Search are just some of our latest articles on browser hijackers. This software usually appears harmless and offers various features. However, these functionalities rarely work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.

It must be stressed that merely because a browser extension or an application operates as indicated by the promotional material – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did HotSearch install on my computer?

We downloaded an installer promoting HotSearch from a Torrenting website. Browser hijackers are commonly pushed through untrustworthy download sources like Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, freeware and free file-hosting sites, and various third-party downloaders.

This software can also be bundled with ordinary programs. These additions are often hidden within the "Custom/Advanced" installation settings. Hence, rushing when installing software (e.g., by ignoring terms, skipping sections, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system.

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

Some intrusive advertisements can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked. These adverts proliferate browser-hijacking software as well.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. When installing, we advise 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 innocuous. For example, while intrusive ads may look harmless – they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

Should you keep experiencing such adverts/redirects, check the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with HotSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of hotsearch.io redirecting to the boyu.com.tr fake search engine (GIF):

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

HotSearch 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.

HotSearch browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove HotSearch 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 "HotSearch" 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 "HotSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.hotsearch.io) 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 "hotsearch.io", 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 hotsearch 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 "HotSearch", 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 "HotSearch", remove hxxp://hotsearch.io 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 hotsearch 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 hotsearch 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 to visit hotsearch.io website?

The purpose of software that causes rogue redirects is generating profit for its developers/publishers. In other words, revenue is made through redirects to websites like hotsearch.io.

Is visiting hotsearch.io a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Sites like hotsearch.io usually gather (and sell) visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser-hijacking software is predominantly distributed via deceptive promotional pages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, bundled installers, online scams, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads (malvertising).

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove HotSearch browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. Note that manual removal (performed without security programs) might not be an ideal solution. In cases where multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Browser-hijacking software might also be able to deny access to removal-related settings. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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