How to remove a-search.site from the settings of a web browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is a-search.site?
We have tested a-search.site and found that it is a fake search engine. It is common for fake search engines to be promoted via unwanted extensions classified as browser hijackers. Users should avoid visiting a-search.site and similar addresses, especially when they are promoted via browser hijackers.
More about a-search.site and the promoting extension
A-search.site is a fake search engine because it does not generate results. Upon entering a search query, a-search.site redirects users to search.yahoo.com, a legitimate search engine. It is worth mentioning that a-search.site may also redirect users to other (legitimate and unreliable) search engines.
Untrustworthy search engines can pose significant risks to users by directing them to malicious or deceptive websites. They may display links to technical support scams, fake lotteries, giveaways, phishing websites, and other sites hosting malicious content. Thus, users may be tricked into disclosing sensitive information, downloading unwanted software, or taking other actions.
As we mentioned in the introduction, fake search engines are commonly promoted via browser-hijacking extensions. We found that the browser hijacker promoting a-search.site is called Awesome Search. This extension is designed to make a-search.site the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page.
Additionally, Awesome Search (and a-search.site) may track user data (e.g., browsing habits, geolocation data, IP addresses, etc.) without consent, compromising privacy. Users should rely on reputable search engines that prioritize user safety, security, and reliable search results and avoid adding extensions like Awesome Search to browsers.
Users who already have their browsers hijacked by Awesome Search can find our removal guide below.
| Name | a-search.site |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Awesome Search |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Detection Names (a-search.site) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (a-search.site) | 15.197.148.33 |
| 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), fake Flash Player installers. |
| 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
To sum up, fake search engines present risks to users, from directing them to unreliable search engines to compromising their privacy through unauthorized data tracking. The majority of these search engines infiltrate browsers via browser hijackers. Users often add such extensions to browsers unintentionally (without being aware of their true functionality).
Some examples of fake search engines are moresearchhh.com, find-browseronline.com, and search-browser.com.
How did Awesome Search install on my computer?
Browser hijackers can be added/installed via freeware or shady software installers. When software (that is bundled with browser hijackers) is installed without deselecting optional installations, these additional offers get installed as well. Usually, these offers are mentioned in "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings during installations.
Also, users can unknowingly add/install browser hijackers via unofficial app stores, deceptive websites, misleading advertisements, fake software updates, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, etc. Overall, users often download unwanted apps and extensions inadvertently.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Always get software from official websites and app stores. Before installing any software, thoroughly check the installer. Look for "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings or checkboxes and decline any unwanted applications or offers. Also, do not agree to receive notifications from suspicious websites and refrain from interacting with pop-ups, banners, or coupons on dubious sites.
Keep your operating system and all software up to date, and conduct routine system scans to detect and remove any unwanted applications or potential threats. If your computer is already infected with Awesome Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
A-search.site redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Awesome 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is a-search.site?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Awesome Search application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Awesome Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove a-search.site homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove a-search.site redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Awesome 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 (which cause browser redirects to the a-search.site website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Awesome 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 "Awesome 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 "Awesome Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.a-search.site) 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 "a-search.site", 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 awesome 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 "Awesome 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 "Awesome Search", remove hxxp://a-search.site 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 awesome 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 awesome 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 visit a-search.site website?
The higher number of visits a-search.site receives, the more revenue its developers can generate.
Is visiting a-search.site a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines like a-search.site and associated extensions can be designed to gather various data that can be sold to third parties or misused in other ways. This could cause privacy risks.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers often sneak onto systems through freeware or dubious software installers. Additionally, users may inadvertently add browser hijackers via unofficial app stores, deceptive websites, misleading ads, fake software updates, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?
Combo Cleaner can remove browser-hijackers. Manual removal may not always be sufficient, especially when dealing with multiple browser hijackers that can reinstall one another. When multiple persistent browser hijackers are present, all of them have to be removed at once.
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