How to remove software that causes redirects to laxsearch.com

What kind of website is laxsearch.com?

Laxsearch.com is the address of a fake search engine endorsed by the Lax Search browser hijacker. It makes modifications to browser settings in order to generate redirects to the laxsearch.com site. It is likely that Lax Search also spies on users' browsing activity.

Lax Search browser hijacker overview

Lax Search makes alterations to the following browser settings – homepages, default search engines, and new tabs/windows. With this extension installed, Web searches performed via the URL bar result in redirects to laxsearch.com.

Fake search engines cannot provide search results, so they land on genuine sites. At the time of research, laxsearch.com redirected to kosearch.com, myhoroscopepro.com, and finally landed on the genuine Yahoo search engine (search.yahoo.com).

Note that laxsearch.com might produce different redirects since they could be influenced by factors like the user's IP address (geolocation). Additionally, Lax Search force-opens new browser tabs with various advertisements displayed on them.

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

Furthermore, Lax Search might have data-tracking functionalities since they are standard for browser hijackers. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so on. The collected information can be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

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

Threat Summary:

Name	Lax Search
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Lax Search
Promoted URL	laxsearch.com
Detection Names (laxsearch.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (laxsearch.com)	172.67.188.10
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

HotSearch, Brand New Search, Pianoic, Wise Search, and My Horoscope Pro are merely some examples of browser hijackers we have investigated recently.

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

It must be mentioned that even if a browser extension or application works as indicated by its promotional material – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Lax Search install on my computer?

Browser hijackers can be bundled with ordinary programs. The risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other suspicious sources. The threat is further compounded by treating installations with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping steps, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc).

Browser-hijacking software is also endorsed on innocuous-looking promotional webpages and scam sites. Most users access them via redirects caused by websites employing rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, misspelled URLs, and installed adware.

Additionally, intrusive adverts proliferate browser hijackers. Once clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend downloading only from official and verified channels. Installation processes must be treated with caution, e.g., by reading terms, exploring possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, etc.

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

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

Appearance of laxsearch.com redirecting (via kosearch.com, myhoroscopepro.com) to Yahoo (GIF):

Permissions asked by Lax Search browser hijacker:

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

Lax 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.

Lax Search browser hijacker 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 "Lax 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 "Lax Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.laxsearch.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 "laxsearch.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 lax 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 "Lax 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 "Lax Search", remove hxxp://laxsearch.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 lax 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 lax 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Redirects to sites like laxsearch.com are generated because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) profit through them.

Is visiting laxsearch.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites like laxsearch.com typically gather visitor data. The collected information may then be sold to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are most commonly distributed via online scams, bundled installation setups, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Lax Search browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your system and eliminate installed 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 are present, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software may deny access to removal-related settings. Hence, it is essential to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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