Media Search App by Ask Redirect

What is Media Search App by Ask?

Media Search App is a deceptive application claiming to allow users to search the Internet for the latest news and other similar information - "Be first to know about breaking news and trending items with the Media Search App by Ask. One-click access to top video and music streaming sites. Access to search the web."

Some users may believe that this app is legitimate, however, Search Media App is categorized as a browser hijacker and a potentially unwanted program (PUP). Once this application infiltrates the system, it modifies Internet browser settings and collects various user/system information - all this is performed without users' permission.

Following successful infiltration, Media Search App assigns the Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox browser default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL settings to the search.ask.com website. Furthermore, this browser hijacker installs a number of browser plug-ins designed to block users from reverting these changes.

In doing so, Media Search App significantly diminishes the Internet browsing experience, since users are continually redirected to search.ask.com without their consent. The PUP can also track various user/system information that may contain personally identifiable details.

This behavior can lead to privacy issues. If you feel that Media Search App has been installed without your permission, we strongly recommend that you to eliminate this browser hijacker.

Browser hijacking applications often have similar behavior. For instance, as with Media Search App, myoivu.com, dealwifi.com, and only-search.com also claim to provide useful features, and yet, they merely cause unwanted browser redirects and gather various information.

These applications provide no real value to the user - their purpose is to generate revenue for the developers.

How did Media Search App by Ask install on my computer?

Media Search App is distributed using a deceptive software marketing called 'bundling' (stealth installation of third party apps with regular software/apps) and usually installs without users' permission. In fact, users often expose their systems to risk of infection by rushing the download and installation processes.

The developers of deceptive applications are aware that many users skip most/all of the steps, and thus, intentionally conceal third party applications within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings. So, by rushing the download and installation processes, users often inadvertently install rogue applications.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To avoid this situation, pay close attention during the download and installation processes. Closely analyze each step of these processes and cancel all third party programs listed for download/installation. Furthermore, use the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any bundled apps listed for installation and enable you to opt-out.

Deceptive free software installer used in Media Search App browser hijacker distribution:

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Quick menu:

• What is Media Search App by Ask?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Media Search App by Ask application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Ask redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove Media Search App by Ask browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.ask.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove Media Search App by Ask redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Media Search App by Ask 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 “Media Search App by Ask”, select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the search.ask.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Media Search App by Ask browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

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 "Media Search App by Ask", select this entry 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://www.search.ask.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 "Ask Search".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.ask.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:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Search Extension by Ask", select this entry 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://www.search.ask.com 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 "Ask" and add or select your preferred domain.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.ask.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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove "Search Media App by Ask".

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://www.search.ask.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: "ask.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with search.ask.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 search.ask.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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