How to remove toptosearch.com from a web browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is toptosearch.com?
During our examination of toptosearch.com, we noticed that it does not generate search results. Thus, we classified toptosearch.com as a fake search engine. We also found that toptosearch.com is promoted through an extension that functions as a browser hijacker. Users should avoid using toptosearch.com and adding browser hijackers to browsers.
Toptosearch.com overview
Upon entering a search query, toptosearch.com redirects users to bing.com. Users are provided with search results from a legitimate search engine instead of results from toptosearch.com. For this reason, toptosearch.com is a fake search engine. Search engines of this type should not be trusted, especially when promoted via browser hijackers.
A browser hijacker (extension) promoting toptosearch.com is called Top search. This extension changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to toptosearch.com. Additionally, Top search may be designed to prevent users from removing toptosearch.com while it is added to a web browser.
Moreover, Top search may be capable of harvesting various data, including search queries, browsing history, interactions with advertisements, geolocation information, and more. This data may be misused for marketing or other purposes. Also, it may be sold to third parties. Therefore, having Top search added to a browser may cause privacy risks.
It is also worth mentioning that removing a browser hijacker can be challenging, as it may have multiple components and can reinstall/re-add itself if not completely eliminated. Specialized removal tools like Combo Cleaner may be necessary.
| Name | Top search |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Top search |
| Supposed Functionality | This extension is supposed to improve the browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | toptosearch.com |
| Detection Names (toptosearch.com) | Fortinet (Malware), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (toptosearch.com) | 172.67.189.69 |
| 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, fake search engines are often promoted via extensions that hijack browsers. They can direct users to legitimate or unreliable search engines. In the latter case, users may be exposed to scams, malware, and other threats. Overall, it is strongly recommended to avoid using shady search engines and stick to reputable ones.
More examples of fake search engines are trustedsear.ch, search-secured.com, and search.mycooltab.com.
How did Top search install on my computer?
Browser hijackers are often distributed through dubious websites that present them as useful and legitimate. Another common method is software bundling, where these extensions are bundled with other software and hidden within "Advanced", "Custom", or similar installation settings.
Users may also encounter unwanted downloads and installations by clicking on misleading advertisements, pop-ups, links, or buttons. Furthermore, downloading from peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, third-party downloaders, or unofficial app stores can also result in the inadvertent installation or addition of unwanted extensions and apps.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download programs and files only from official websites or app stores, and always examine installers and deselect unwanted apps/extensions. Do not click pop-ups, ads, and similar content on suspicious websites, and do not agree to receive notifications from dubious sites.
Regularly scan your operating system for unwanted software and remove it if detected. Use a reputable security tool for effective protection and removal. Additionally, keep your operating system and installed software up to date. If your computer is already infected with Top search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Toptosearch.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Top search browser hijacker:
Website promoting Top 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 Top search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Top search application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Top search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove toptosearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove toptosearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Top 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 toptosearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Top 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 "Top 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 "Top search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.toptosearch.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 "toptosearch.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 top 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 "Top 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 "Top search", remove hxxp://toptosearch.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 top 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 top 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.
Post a comment:
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit toptosearch.com website?
The revenue generated by the creators of toptosearch.com depends on the number of visitors to the website. Higher traffic can lead to increased ad revenue, more affiliate commissions, or better data collection and exploitation opportunities.
Is visiting toptosearch.com a threat to my privacy?
Yes, visiting toptosearch.com can pose a threat to your privacy. Such sites often engage in practices that (e.g., data collection or exposure to malicious content) compromise user privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are often spread through dubious websites, freeware (or dubious software) installers, misleading ads, pop-ups, links, P2P networks, third-party sites, unofficial app stores, and similar channels.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Top search browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan and remove detected browser-hijacking applications. However, manual removal can be imperfect since hijackers might reinstall each other or prevent settings changes. In these cases, all hijackers need to be removed simultaneously for complete effectiveness.
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