How to remove software generating redirects to tn-search.com

What kind of website is tn-search.com?

Tn-search.com is a fake search engine that our research team discovered while analyzing the TopNotch Search rogue browser extension. However, this site could be endorsed by other browser hijackers as well. Fraudulent search engines are considered as such because they cannot provide search results and collect visitor data.

How do browser hijackers promote tn-search.com?

Browser hijackers, like TopNotch Search, reassign browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of promoted websites (e.g., tn-search.com). Therefore, users experience redirects to the endorsed page whenever they search the Web via the URL bar or open a new browser tab/window.

Software within this classification often prevents browser recovery by utilizing persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as denying access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes.

Fake search engines are rarely capable of generating search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search sites. We observed tn-search.com redirecting to Yahoo (search.yahoo.com). However, it could land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation might influence redirects.

Sites like tn-search.com usually gather (and sell) information about the visitors. Furthermore, data-tracking abilities are standard for browser hijackers.

Targeted data can include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so forth. The collected data can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

In summary, the presence of browser-hijacking software like TopNotch Search on devices may lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	TopNotch Search browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	TopNotch Search
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Detection Names	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	3.33.130.190
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.

Fake search engine examples

Searchninjapro.com, searchcommons.com, and find-search-results.com are merely a couple of our latest articles on fake search engines.

These websites typically appear legitimate and useful; the same applies to the browser-hijacking software that promotes them. However, features promised by these sites and software are usually fake and nonoperational.

Remember that even if a webpage or extension/application works exactly as indicated by its promotional material – that is not irrefutable proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did tn-search.com promoting software install on my computer?

Browser hijackers can be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. Downloading from suspicious sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and inattentiveness when installing (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – pose a threat of bundled content infiltrating the device.

Browser-hijacking software is also promoted on legitimate-looking download webpages and scam sites. Users primarily access these pages via redirects caused by intrusive ads, websites employing rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, and installed adware.

This software is proliferated by intrusive adverts 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 advise researching software and downloading it only from official/trustworthy channels. Installation processes must be approached with caution by reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplements (e.g., apps, tools, extensions, etc.).

Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing, as fraudulent and dangerous online content typically appears legitimate and harmless. For example, intrusive ads may look innocuous – however, they redirect users to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

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

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

Screenshot of permissions requested by the TopNotch 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 tn-search.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove tn-search.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove tn-search.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove tn-search.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Tn-search.com redirect 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.

Tn-search.com redirect 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 all 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 the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.tn-search.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 "tn-search.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 topnotch 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 plugins 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 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 malicious extension (if present), remove hxxp://tn-search.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 topnotch 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 topnotch 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 tn-search.com website?

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

Is visiting tn-search.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites classified as fake search engines (e.g., tn-search.com, etc.) usually collect and sell information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are most commonly distributed through bundled installers, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting sites, online scams, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate all the browser-hijacking apps installed. Note that manual removal (performed without the aid of security software) might be ineffective. In cases where multiple browser hijackers are present, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable when browser-hijacking software is installed. Hence, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.

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