Removal of the TotalRecipeSearch browser-hijacking app
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is TotalRecipeSearch?
Developed by Mindspark Interactive Network, TotalRecipeSearch is a browser-hijacking app that supposedly allows access to food recipes.
Judging on appearance alone, TotalRecipeSearch may seem legitimate, however, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) and a browser hijacker, since it often infiltrates computers without permission. Additionally, TotalRecipeSearch promotes a fake search engine (myway.com) and might also track browsing activity.
After successful infiltration, TotalRecipeSearch hijacks popular browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc.) and assigns the new tab URL, homepage, and default search engine options to myway.com. These changes may seem insignificant, however, users are unable to revert them - TotalRecipeSearch reassigns browser settings and prevents access.
Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are encouraged to visit myway.com when they open a new browser tab/window or search via the URL bar. This significantly diminishing the browsing experience. Another important issue, is data tracking.
Browser hijackers and fake search engines record information that usually includes (but is not limited to) IP addresses, search queries, URLs visited, pages viewed, and geolocations. This collected data often includes personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
These people generate revenue by misusing private data. Therefore, information tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We advise you to uninstall the TotalRecipeSearch browser hijacker and never to visit myway.com
| Name | TotalRecipeSearch |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Detection Names | Avast (Win32:UnwantedSig [PUP]), DrWeb (Adware.MyWebSearch.145), ESET-NOD32 (Win32/Toolbar.MyWebSearch.BA Potentially Unwanted), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:WebToolbar.Win32.Agent.gen), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Browser Extension(s) | TotalRecipeSearch |
| Supposed Functionality | Access to food recipes. |
| Promoted URL | myway.com |
| Serving IP Address (myway.com) | 74.113.237.64 |
| 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. |
Mindspark Interactive Network has released dozens of identical browser-hijacking applications. The list includes VideoConverterHD, YourTemplateFinder, GardeningEnthusiast, and many others. All offer "useful features", however, these claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
PUAs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. They cause unwanted redirects and also record sensitive data.
How did TotalRecipeSearch install on my computer?
TotalRecipeSearch has an official download website, however, this browser hijacker often infiltrates systems without users’ permission. Browser-hijacking applications are proliferated using intrusive advertising and "bundling" methods.
Intrusive advertisements (delivered by adware-type applications already present on the system) redirect to dubious websites and run scripts designed to download/install unwanted applications. "Bundling", on the other hand, is essentially stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software.
Developers hide "bundled" apps behind "Custom/Advanced" settings or other sections of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users often rush these procedures and skip steps. Additionally, they click various advertisements without understanding the possible consequences.
This behavior leads to inadvertent installation of third party applications. In this way, users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent this situation, be very cautious when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software. Bear in mind that intrusive advertisements usually seem legitimate, however, when clicked, they redirect to gambling, pornography, adult dating, and similar sites. These ads are often delivered by PUAs.
Therefore, if you encounter these ads and redirects, remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Furthermore, download your programs from official sources only, preferably using direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers should never be used, since they often include ("bundle") rogue applications.
The key to computer safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with TotalRecipeSearch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
TotalRecipeSearch browser hijacker installer set-up:
Website promoting TotalRecipeSearch 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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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 TotalRecipeSearch?
- STEP 1. Uninstall TotalRecipeSearch application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove myway.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove TotalRecipeSearch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove myway.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove myway.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
TotalRecipeSearch 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 (for example, "TotalRecipeSearch"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the myway.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
TotalRecipeSearch browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects (Windows OS):
Video showing how to remove TotalRecipeSearch browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner (MacOS):
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove myway.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "myway.com".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the totalrecipesearch browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "TotalRecipeSearch" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "TotalRecipeSearch", look for a browser hijacker URL (myway.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 "myway.com", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the totalrecipesearch 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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "TotalRecipeSearch", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, disable "TotalRecipeSearch", remove myway.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 "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "moz-extension"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with totalrecipesearch 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 totalrecipesearch 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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