How to remove advancedsearches.net from web browsers

What is advancedsearches.net?

During our analysis, we found that advancedsearches.net is a fake search engine promoted through a browser extension (Advanced Search) that operates as a browser hijacker. This extension hijacks a browser by changing its settings. It is advisable to avoid using fake search engines and suspicious extensions.

Advancedsearches.net and Advanced Search overview

When a search using a browser hijacked by Advanced Search is performed, advancedsearches.net redirects users to bing.com (a legitimate search engine). Advancedsearches.net may also direct users to other search engines, including untrustworthy ones. Either way, advancedsearches.net does not generate results.

It is possible that advancedsearches.net could direct users to unreliable search engines that would present misleading results, deceptive ads, or other content. Users may open scam websites, sites hosting malicious apps, and other unreliable sites. They might be tricked into paying for fake services or products, infecting computers, disclosing sensitive information, etc.

Therefore, it is highly advisable to avoid visiting advancedsearches.net and, if a browser is hijacked by Advanced Search, to remove it from the settings. Usually, browser hijackers target these settings: the address of a default search engine, homepage, and new tab. If present, Advanced Search should be removed as well.

It is worth noting that Advanced Search may gather various data. The extension may collect browsing history, search queries, website interactions, IP addresses, geolocation information, etc. These actions can cause privacy issues. The ultimate goal of data harvesting usually is financial gain.

Thus, users should never add extensions like Advanced Search to browsers and remove them (and the associated search engines like advancedsearches.net) if they are already present as soon as possible.

Threat Summary:

Name	Advanced Search
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Advanced Search
Supposed Functionality	Improved browsing experience
Promoted URL	advancedsearches.net
Detection Names (advancedsearches.net)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (advancedsearches.net)	172.67.218.27
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. ▼ 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.

Conclusion

In conclusion, advancedsearches.net, often associated with browser hijackers, redirects users to search engines that may not provide reliable results, potentially exposing them to deceptive ads, malicious websites, and scam content. This can lead to financial loss, system infections, and compromised personal data.

Users should avoid visiting such sites, promptly remove any related extensions, and restore browser settings to protect their privacy and security. More examples of similar search engines are search.withaiforchrome.com, my-search-page.com, and privacysearchapp.net.

How did Advanced Search install on my computer?

Browsers can become hijacked through other (usually free or untrustworthy) software. It is common for browser hijackers to be bundled with other programs. Users agree to add/install browser hijackers when installing those programs without deselecting additional offers (changing the provided settings/options).

Downloading apps and files from unofficial websites and app stores, P2P networks, third-party downloaders, and other dubious sources can also lead to browser hijacking. Additionally, browser hijacking can occur via deceptive advertisements, pop-ups, and similar channels.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Always download apps and files from reputable sources like official app stores or trusted websites. During installation, choose the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and deselect any unwanted apps or offers. Be wary of ads, pop-ups, or links from unreliable sites, and ensure your system and security software are kept up to date.

Furthermore, avoid granting notification permissions to suspicious websites and avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in questionable emails. If your computer is already infected with Advanced Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Advancedsearches.net redirects to bing.com (GIF):

Permissions asked by Advanced Search browser hijacker:

Website promoting Advanced Search browser hijacker:

Second website promoting Advanced Search:

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 advancedsearches.net?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Advanced Search application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Advanced Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove advancedsearches.net homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove advancedsearches.net redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Advanced 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 advancedsearches.net website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Advanced 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 "Advanced 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 "Advanced Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.advancedsearches.net) 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 "advancedsearches.net", 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 advanced 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 "Advanced 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 "Advanced Search", remove hxxp://advancedsearches.net 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 advanced 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 advanced 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 visit advancedsearches.net website?

The purpose of forcing users to visit advancedsearches.net is to increase traffic to the site. This allows the creators of advancedsearches.net to generate more revenue.

Is visiting advancedsearches.net a threat to my privacy?

Yes, visiting advancedsearches.net can be a threat to your privacy, as it may track your browsing activity, collect personal data, and expose you to malicious websites or deceptive ads.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browsers can be hijacked through free or untrustworthy software (when browser hijackers are bundled with other programs). Downloading from unofficial sources, P2P networks, and clicking deceptive ads can also lead to hijacking.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Advanced Search browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan your computer and remove browser hijackers. Keep in mind that manual removal may not always be effective, as some hijackers are persistent. If multiple browser hijackers are present, it may be required to remove all of them at once.

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