How to eliminate software that causes redirects to goodtosearch.com

What kind of website is goodtosearch.com?

Goodtosearch.com is an illegitimate search engine. This site cannot provide search results, so it redirects to other fake or genuine search engines. Websites of this kind are often endorsed by browser hijackers. Goodtosearch.com has also been observed featuring in redirection chains caused by browser-hijacking software.

How do browser hijackers promote goodtosearch.com?

Typically, browser hijackers assign promoted sites as browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tab/window URLs. Hence, new browser tabs/windows opened or Web searches performed via the URL bar – result in redirects to the endorsed webpage.

These values could be assigned to goodtosearch.com, but it has also been noted in redirection chains caused by browser-hijacking software.

Fake search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they lead users to legitimate Internet search websites. Goodtosearch.com is no exception; we observed it redirecting to myhoroscopepro.com before landing on the Yahoo search engine (search.yahoo.com). Keep in mind that other redirection chains are possible, and they are often influenced by factors like user geolocation.

It is noteworthy that browser hijackers commonly use persistence-ensuring mechanisms to restrict access to removal-related settings or undo user-made changes.

Fraudulent search engines and the software endorsing them are known to gather sensitive information. Browser hijackers can seek the following data: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so forth. This vulnerable data can be monetized via sale to third-parties.

To summarize, browser-hijacking software is associated with system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	goodtosearch.com browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Detection Names	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	18.160.213.81
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

We have written about numerous fake search engines; doktox.com, gotoyahoo.com, searchesinstyle.com, and dfltsearch.com are merely some of our newest articles.

Usually, these sites and the software promoting them appear legitimate and innocuous. They can also offer a wide variety of handy features, which are rarely operational. It must be emphasized that even if a website or software functions as detailed by its promotional material – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did goodtosearch.com promoting software install on my computer?

Browser hijackers can be bundled with (packed alongside) regular programs. The risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the device is increased by downloading from suspect channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and inattentiveness when installing (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping steps, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Intrusive advertisements also spread browser-hijacking software. When clicked on, some of these ads can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

Additionally, browser hijackers are promoted on innocent-looking webpages and scam sites. Most visitors access them via redirects caused by websites that utilize rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, and installed adware.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/trustworthy sources. Installation processes must be approached with caution, e.g., by reading terms, inspecting possible options, using "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, etc.

We advise being careful while browsing since fake and dangerous online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, while intrusive ads may look innocuous – they redirect to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with advertisements/redirects of this kind, check the system and immediately remove all suspicious 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.

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

Goodtosearch.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.

Goodtosearch.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.goodtosearch.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 "goodtosearch.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 goodtosearch.com 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://goodtosearch.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 goodtosearch.com 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 goodtosearch.com 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 goodtosearch.com website?

The motivation behind developing software that causes redirects to sites like goodtosearch.com is profit.

Is visiting goodtosearch.com a threat to my privacy?

Fake search engines (e.g., goodtosearch.com, etc.) usually collect and sell visitor data. Hence, visiting these webpages is considered a minor privacy threat.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are mainly spread via bundled installers, deceptive promotional pages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, online scams, intrusive ads, and spam browser notifications.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate browser-hijacking applications that are present. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (performed without security tools) 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 deny access to removal-related settings or undo user-made changes. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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