How to remove Awesome Search hijacker from a browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of extension is Awesome Search?
During our examination of the Awesome Search extension, we noticed that it operates as a browser hijacker. We also learned that Awesome Search promotes a fake search engine. It is common for such extensions to be promoted and distributed using misleading methods. Thus, users should avoid adding Awesome Search to their browsers.
Awesome Search browser hijacker overview
Awesome Search hijacks a web browser by changing its settings, such as the homepage, new tab page, and default search engine. Our analysis has shown that Awesome Search sets those settings/addresses to a-search.site, a fake search engine. A-search.site is a fake search engine because it does not provide search results.
We found that a-search.site redirects users to search.yahoo.com, a legitimate search engine. Nevertheless, it is important to note that fake search engines can lead users to unreliable ones. The results provided by dubious search engines can contain deceptive ads and links to potentially malicious sites.
Clicking ads and results from dubious search engines can direct users to web pages hosting malicious software, technical support scams, phishing schemes, bogus lotteries, giveaways, etc. Users may be tricked into sending scammers money or sensitive information (e.g., passwords), downloading harmful apps, or taking other actions.
Another problem with having the Awesome Search browser hijacker added to a browser is that it may gather various information. This may include browsing history, search queries, websites visited, IP addresses, geographic location, and potentially personal information. This data can be used for targeted advertising, sold to third parties, or exploited for malicious purposes.
Therefore, users should be cautious of the privacy implications and potential risks associated with browser hijackers and take steps to secure their browsing activities accordingly.
| Name | Awesome Search |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Awesome Search |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | a-search.site |
| 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
In conclusion, browser hijackers are unwanted extensions that diminish the browsing experience by forcing users to visit specified addresses. In addition to hijacking browsers, these extensions can gather various data. Overall, users are strongly advised to avoid such extensions and remove them if they are already present.
Some examples of browser-hijacking extensions are Kaseek, UKASEE, and KSEARCHY.
How did Awesome Search install on my computer?
Browser hijackers are commonly bundled with free (including untrustworthy) software. They are included as additional offers within installers. These extensions take control of browsers after users complete installations without modifying default settings (e.g., "Advanced" or "Custom") or deselecting checkboxes.
Also, users may be tricked into downloading browser hijackers via deceptive advertisements, fraudulent software updates, notifications from untrustworthy websites, etc. Unofficial app stores, third-party downloaders, dubious websites, P2P networks, and similar platforms are also employed to deceive users into downloading browser hijackers.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Obtain extensions, applications, and other software exclusively from reputable sources such as official websites and app stores. Before completing software installation, look for unwanted offers (apps, toolbars, etc.), and utilize provided settings (e.g., "Advanced" or "Custom") or checkboxes to decline them.
Exercise caution when encountering ads, pop-ups, alerts, and similar content on dubious websites, as interacting with them could result in unintended downloads and installations. Additionally, routinely utilize a trusted security tool to scan your computer for unwanted applications and ensure all software and your operating system always have the latest updates.
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 Awesome Search?
- 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 Awesome 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 "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 a-search.site 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 "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 a-search.site 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 a-search.site 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 visit a-search.site website?
By redirecting users to a-search.site, the operators increase the website's visitor count. The higher number of visitors allows the creators of a-search.site to generate more revenue.
Is visiting a-search.site a threat to my privacy?
Visiting a-search.site can threaten your privacy due to its potential data collection practices.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are often bundled with free and untrustworthy software. They hijack browsers when users complete installations without modifying default settings. Users may also unknowingly download browser hijackers through deceptive ads, fake software updates, and notifications from untrustworthy websites, as well as from unofficial app stores, third-party downloaders, dubious websites, P2P networks, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Awesome Search browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner automatically scans and removes browser-hijacking applications from computers. Manual removal may not work if multiple hijackers are present and not removed simultaneously. In certain cases, they can reinstall one another to prevent removal.
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