How to remove software that generates redirects by dosearches.com

What is dosearches.com?

The DoSearches.com website is promoted using browser hijackers, which infiltrate users' Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) using free software downloads. Many Internet users refer to dosearches.com as a virus or malware since this website is assigned as their homepage and default search engine without their consent.

Furthermore, computer users are unable to revert these settings to their preferred ones. At time of research, this website used the Yahoo! search engine to provide visitors with results for the entered Internet search queries, and whilst legitimate search results are returned, developers of this rogue website are likely to change the search engine to a more dubious version or redirect dosearches.com to a malicious website.

If your Internet browsers redirect you to this website, your computer is infected with adware, and therefore, you are advised to eliminate it from your Internet browser/s. Using this website for your daily Internet searches may lead to privacy and computer security issues.

A common source of the dosearches.com browser hijacker is free software download websites, which use 'download clients' to manage the freeware download process. These small programs also offer installation of free browser add-ons together with the chosen freeware.

Furthermore, some download clients are deceptive and conceal the 'decline' button, which can be used to opt-out of installation of advertised browser plugins. Others disallow download of chosen free software unless users agree to install promoted browser add-ons.

Internet users who wish to avoid installation of such potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), which leads to browser redirects and unwanted ads, should be attentive when downloading free software. Technically, dosearches.com is not a virus or malware, however, it is a browser hijacker and therefore it is advisable to eliminate this adware from your computer immediately.

The DoSearches browser hijacker is especially rogue since it installs browser 'helper objects', which a) prevent users from changing their homepage and default search engine settings, and b) modify browser shortcut targets. It is similar to other adware, which cause redirect issues including qvo6, Globososo, and Portaldosites amongst many others.

To avoid installation of such browser hijackers, pay close attention when downloading free software. If your download is managed by a 'download client', click the 'decline' button if you are invited to install additional browser add-ons. If your Internet browser/s redirect you to dosearches.com, use the removal guide provided to eliminate this browser hijacker.

Deceptive free software installer used in dosearches.com browser hijacker distribution:

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Quick menu:

• What is dosearches.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall "dosearches Browser Protect", "Bundled software uninstaller" and "FilesFrog Update Checker" applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove dosearches.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove dosearches.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove dosearches.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove dosearches redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

DoSearches.com 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 "dosearches Browser Protect", "Bundled software uninstaller", "FilesFrog Update Checker" and "Wsys Control", select each and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling PUPs (which cause browser redirects to the dosearches.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software. Remove all entries that this program detects to ensure your PC is clean from any possible spyware and malware infections.

DoSearches.com homepage and default search engine removal from browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Fix Internet Explorer shortcut target:

The Dosearches.com browser hijacker changes the "Target" field of your Internet Explorer shortcut. To fix this - locate your Internet Explorer shortcut on your Desktop and click the right mouse button over it. In the opened menu, choose "Properties". In the opened window locate the Target field and eliminate the text (hxxp://www.dosearches.com/...), which is entered after "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe".

Change homepage:

To change your homepage from dosearches.com to your preferred domain, click on the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove dosearches.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer.

Change default search engine:

Click on 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 "dosearches".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the dosearches.com redirect, 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:

Fix Google Chrome shortcut target:

The DoSearches.com browser hijacker changes the "Target" field of the Google Chrome shortcut. To fix this - locate your Google Chrome shortcut on your Desktop and click the right mouse button over it. In the opened menu choose "Properties". In the opened window locate the Target field and eliminate all text (hxxp://www.dosearches.com/...), which is entered after "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe".

Remove Dosearches.com related browser extensions:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) select "Tools" and click on "Extensions".  Locate "Extended Protection" and "Lightning Newtab", select them and click the trash can icon.

Change homepage:

Change the Google Chrome homepage from dosearches.com to you preferred domain - click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) select "Settings". In the "On startup" section click "set pages", hover your mouse over www.dosearches.com and click the x symbol. Now you can add your preferred website as your homepage.

Change 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" section click "Manage Search Engines...", remove "dosearches" and add or select your preferred domain.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the dosearches.com 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Fix Mozilla Firefox shortcut target:

The DoSearches.com browser hijacker changes the "Target" field of the Mozilla Firefox shortcut. To fix this - locate your Mozilla Firefox shortcut on your Desktop and click the right mouse button over it. In the opened menu choose "Properties". In the opened window locate the Target field and eliminate all text (hxxp://www.dosearches.com/...), which is entered after "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe".

Change homepage:

To reset your homepage, click on the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) then select "Options", in the opened window remove www.dosearches.com and enter your preferred domain.

Change 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: "dosearches"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with dosearches.com 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 dosearches.com 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 to visit dosearches.com website?

The purpose of developing software that causes rogue redirects is profit. In other words, the developers generate revenue via redirects to sites like dosearches.com.

Is visiting dosearches.com a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Websites like dosearches.com typically collect (and sell) visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Most widely used distribution methods include: deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installers, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, intrusive ads, and spam browser notifications.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal (performed without security software) might be ineffective, particularly when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these instances, after one browser hijacker is removed – the others may reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software may be capable of denying access to removal-related settings and/or undoing user-made changes. Therefore, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.

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