How to remove BlazeSearch browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of extension is BlazeSearch?
During our examination of BlazeSearch, we noticed that it has the qualities of a browser hijacker and can enable the "Managed by your organization" feature. It hijacks a web browser to promote guardflares.com. Users are advised not to trust extensions like BlazeSearch and to remove them if they have already been added.
BlazeSearch browser hijacker overview
BlazeSearch promotes guardflares.com by making it the default search engine, homepage, and new tab address. It forces users to use guardflares.com as their search engine. However, we found that guardflares.com does not generate results and redirects users to a dubious potterfun.com search engine, potterfun.com.
Results from potterfun.com might include misleading advertisements and links to various scam websites, pages hosting unwanted (and malicious) software, torrent sites, and other dubious and potentially malicious web pages. On these sites, users may be tricked into disclosing personal information, transferring money to scammers, infecting computers, etc.
Furthermore, BlazeSearch can activate the "Managed by your organization" setting in Chrome browsers. This feature typically appears when a browser is controlled by a company, organization, or other entity. When an unreliable extension like BlazeSearch enables this setting, the extension may misuse it for malicious purposes.
Using the "Managed by your organization" feature, BlazeSearch might restrict access to specified websites, collect sensitive information, remove extensions and add malicious ones, expose users to malicious pages, and perform other unwanted actions. Therefore, it is important to be careful with shady extensions that can activate this setting.
Overall, users should remove BlazeSearch and guardflares.com from hijacked browsers to avoid privacy, security, and other risks. Our removal guide can be found below. It can be applied not only to browser hijackers but also to other unwanted extensions and apps.
| Name | BlazeSearch |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | BlazeSearch |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | guardflares.com |
| Detection Names (Installer) | ESET-NOD32 (Win32/GenCBL.FHV), Google (Detected), Ikarus (PUA.MSIL.Chromex), Microsoft (PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml), Rising (Adware.Agent!1.1034C (CLASSIC)), Full List Of Detections (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), 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. |
Browser hijackers in general
Browser hijackers can disrupt the online experience by changing settings, redirecting searches, and gathering personal information. They often come from unreliable sources and can be difficult to remove. Regularly checking your browser settings and using security software is important to prevent browser hijacking.
Examples of browser hijackers are SpeedyLook, RapidFinder, and PrimeLookup.
How did BlazeSearch install on my computer?
Browser hijacking can occur when users install free or untrustworthy software that is bundled with unwanted apps, extensions, or other components. If users do not review and change installation settings (e.g., "Advanced", "Custom", or "Manual" options), they may unknowingly allow these hijackers to be added.
Browser hijackers can also be added/installed through downloads from unreliable app stores, shady websites, or third-party downloaders. Additionally, deceptive pop-ups, fake ads, and other misleading notifications can introduce hijackers to browsers.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download software and extensions only from trusted sources such as official websites or app stores. Always choose "Custom" or "Advanced" or other options to uncheck any unwanted offers when installing software. Avoid clicking on pop-ups and ads on unreliable sites, and do not allow suspicious websites to send notifications.
Regularly update all programs and the operating system and scan your computer for potential threats. If your computer is already infected with BlazeSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Guardflares.com redirects to potterfun.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by BlazeSearch browser hijacker:
BlazeSearch description:
Website promoting the BlazeSearch 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 BlazeSearch?
- STEP 1. Uninstall BlazeSearch application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove BlazeSearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove guardflares.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove guardflares.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
BlazeSearch 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 guardflares.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
BlazeSearch browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove BlazeSearch 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 "BlazeSearch" 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 "BlazeSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.guardflares.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 "guardflares.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 blazesearch 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 "BlazeSearch", 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 "BlazeSearch", remove hxxp://guardflares.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 blazesearch 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 blazesearch 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 guardflares.com website?
The purpose of forcing users to visit guardflares.com is to generate traffic, which its creators can use to earn revenue.
Is visiting guardflares.com a threat to my privacy?
Yes, visiting guardflares.com can be a threat to your privacy, as such it collect personal data and expose you to scams and malware.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijacking often happens when users install free or untrustworthy software bundled with unwanted extensions or apps, especially if installation settings like "Advanced" are ignored. Hijackers can also come from unreliable downloads, shady sites, fake ads, or deceptive pop-ups.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove BlazeSearch browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan your computer and remove browser hijackers. Manual removal may fail if multiple hijackers are present, as they can reinstall each other, and some settings remain locked until all hijackers are removed.
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