Removing the One Browser Search browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of software is One Browser Search?
One Browser Search is a rogue browser extension. This software alters browser settings to endorse (through redirects) the universalwebsearch.com fake search engine. Due to this behavior, One Browser Search is considered to be a browser hijacker.
One Browser Search browser hijacker overview
One Browser Search assigns universalwebsearch.com as the browsers' default search engine, homepages, and new tab/window URLs. Hence, new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries entered into the URL bar – result in redirects to the universalwebsearch.com page.
Fraudulent search engines are usually incapable of generating search results, so lead to genuine Internet search websites. When we examined One Browser Search, universalwebsearch.com redirected to s1search.co before landing on the Bing search engine (bing.com). Note that it may lead elsewhere since factors like user geolocation might influence redirects.
Browser-hijacking software may also rely on persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such denying access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to prevent browser recovery.
Furthermore, One Browser Search likely possesses data-tracking functionalities, as they are standard for browser hijackers. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The gathered information can be monetized through sale to third-parties or other abuse.
To summarize, the presence of software like One Browser Search on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | One Browser Search |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | One Browser Search |
| Promoted URL | universalwebsearch.com |
| Detection Names (universalwebsearch.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
Browser hijacker examples
We have investigated numerous browser hijackers; Awesome Search, TopNotch Search, and UKASEE are merely a couple of examples.
Browser-hijacking software typically appears legitimate and offers useful functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. It must be mentioned that even if a piece of software operates as promised – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.
How did One Browser Search install on my computer?
Browser hijackers can be bundled (packed together) with ordinary programs. The threat of unintentionally permitting access for bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installations (e.g., skipping sections, using "Easy/Quick" access, etc.).
Some intrusive ads can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked. These advertisements proliferate browser-hijacking software as well.
Additionally, browser hijackers are promoted on innocent-looking download pages and scam sites. Users primarily access such webpages via redirects caused by websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We highly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/trustworthy sources. When installing, we advise reading terms, studying possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, etc.
Another recommendation is to be vigilant when browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, intrusive ads may look innocuous yet redirect to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., pornography, scam-promoting, gambling, etc.).
In case of continuous encounters with advertisements/redirects of this kind, check the system and remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with One Browser Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Universalwebsearch.com redirecting (via s1search.co) to the Bing search engine (GIF):
Permissions asked by One Browser 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 One Browser Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove One Browser Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove universalwebsearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove universalwebsearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
One Browser 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.
One Browser Search browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove One Browser 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 "One Browser 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 "One Browser Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.universalwebsearch.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 "universalwebsearch.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 universalwebsearch.com 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 "One Browser 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 "One Browser Search", remove hxxp://universalwebsearch.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 universalwebsearch.com 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 universalwebsearch.com 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 to visit universalwebsearch.com website?
Redirects to sites like universalwebsearch.com are generated because cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) profit through them.
Is visiting universalwebsearch.com a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines (e.g., universalwebsearch.com, etc.) typically gather visitor data. This information may then be sold to third-parties.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are primarily distributed via bundled installers, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove One Browser Search browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be an ideal solution. In cases where multiple browser hijackers are present, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software may be capable of rendering removal-related settings inaccessible. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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