Websearch.hotsearches.info Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is websearch.hotsearches.info?
The websearch.hotsearches.info browser hijacker installs on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) together with free software downloaded from the Internet. After successful infiltration, this adware modifies Internet browser settings including the homepage and default search engine domains.
Furthermore, it installs several browser 'helper objects', which block attempts to roll back these changes. At time of research, this browser hijacker was 'bundled' with free programs and files available for download from free file sharing websites.
Developers of freeware promote this browser hijacker using a deceptive installer, which tricks unsuspecting computer users into installing browser settings-modifying adware together with the free software.
Many free software download websites and freeware developers employ 'download clients' and 'installers' to monetize their downloads.
The problem with this software marketing method is that many computer users do not pay close enough attention to the download and installation steps of their chosen free software, and therefore, inadvertently install various potentially unwanted applications.
Using the websearch.hotsearches.info website to search the Internet is not recommended, since it employs a deceptive search engine crowded with sponsored search results - clicking these results may lead to malware and virus infections.
To avoid installation of Internet browser settings-changing adware such as this, be attentive when downloading and installing free software. If your download is managed by a 'download client', opt-out of installation of advertised browser plug-ins by clicking the 'decline' button.
When installing freeware, choose the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options, rather than 'Typical' or 'Quick' - this will reveal any hidden applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out. The websearch.hotsearches.info browser hijacker is similar to other adware that installs together with free software and modifies browser settings.
For example, searchtotal.info, goodforsearch.info, and coolsearches.info. If your Internet browser redirects you to websearch.hotsearches.info, use the removal instructions provided to eliminate adware causing redirect issues.
How did websearch.hotsearches.info hijacker install on my computer?
This website is distributed using the bundling method (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software). Many users rush the download and installation process of applications, and since third party software is often concealed within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options, this is an effective method for stealth installation.
As developers aim to install applications without users' permission, they do not properly disclose these installations. The websearch.hotsearches.info browser commonly hijacker installs through file upload/download websites that use deceptive download clients.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
If you are downloading software from freeware download websites, select the direct download link, rather than using a download manager (which is likely to include third party rogue software). Download your desired applications from the official website.
If possible, downloaded programs should be installed using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options - this will reveal any bundled apps listed for installation and allow you to decline them. Never rush the download and installation processes, since skipping these steps can lead to high-risk computer infections.
Deceptive free software installers used in websearch.hotsearches.info browser hijacker distribution:
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Quick menu:
- What is websearch.hotsearches.info?
- STEP 1. Uninstall websearch.hotsearches.info related applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove websearch.hotsearches.info redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove websearch.hotsearches.info browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove websearch.hotsearches.info homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove websearch.hotsearches.info redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Websearch.hotsearches.info 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 “PriceMinus", "LighterInit", "bestadblocker", and "MySearchDial" select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the websearch.hotsearches.info website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Websearch.hotsearches.info browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Remove websearch.hotsearches.info related Internet Explorer extensions:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "PriceMinus" and "bestadblocker", 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 hxxp://websearch.hotsearches.info 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 "WebSearch".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the hotsearches.info 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:
Remove websearch.hotsearches.info related Google Chrome extensions:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed and unrecognized (for example "Keep My OptOuts", etc.) entries, select them and click the trash can icon.
Change your homepage:
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 hxxp://websearch.hotsearches.info and click the x symbol. Now, you can add your preferred website as your homepage.
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" section, click "Manage Search Engines...", remove "WebSearch" and add or select your preferred domain.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the hotsearches.info 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:
Remove websearch.hotsearches.info related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove "bestadblocker", "PriceMinus" (and 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, remove hxxp://websearch.hotsearches.info 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: "hotsearches.info"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with hotsearches.info 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 hotsearches.info 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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