How to remove BetterSearch browser hijacker? — Fix Guide

Written by Wilbur Woodham
The BetterSearch search hijacker is an example of a typical unwanted program; such applications are promoted enormously nowadays. In this article you will see the precise guidelines of “BetterSearch” hijacker removal in various methods: using anti-malware software and manual removal procedure.
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BetterSearch – What is it?

“BetterSearch” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)1, that is distributed as a plugin for your internet browser. It is usually spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to search some specific details, as an example, about sporting activity events, make your browser far more secure, allow downloading of any kind of video clip, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nevertheless, the “BetterSearch” plugin is fairly pointless because all such features are currently built-in to your browser and/or system. Such advertising slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. But frequently even expert users are getting caught on such an appeal. In particular cases, this hijacker is spread together with free software.

BetterSearch hijacker - Bettersearchtr.com

BetterSearch Search Hijacker

Here is a info for the BetterSearch hijacker
NAME BetterSearch
Site Bettersearchtr.com
Hosting AS13335 Cloudflare, Inc.
United States, San Francisco
Infection Type Browser Hijacker, Unwanted Application
IP Address 172.67.141.123
Symptoms Changed search engine; search queries redirection
Similar behavior Simply, Still, Find
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To remove possible virus infections, try to scan your PC

How harmful is BetterSearch hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, BetterSearch hijacker is likewise quite harmful for browser use. It changes your search engine to its particular – Bettersearchtr.com, and also modifies your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, in some cases, altering it to default with the specified symptom).

Aside from aesthetic modifications done by BetterSearch hijacker, you might see that many of your search questions are redirecting to the unknown sites, full of web links and advertisements – so-called doorway sites. Such websites can contain links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting surges if you try to start Google search page forcibly.

But all these actions are far more irritating than truly destructive. The most important risk, especially for individuals who have a considerable amount of secret information in their browsers, is installed in data collecting functions. Cookie files, chats, often-visited sites, and other activities are easily collected by BetterSearch hijacker.

How to remove BetterSearch search hijacker?

  • Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
  • Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
  • “Move to quarantine” all items.
  • Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
  • Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
  • Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are generally fairly very easy to remove. Most of the times, they have an independent app that can be seen in the list of installed programs. Because of the specific distribution method of BetterSearch hijacker, it can be conveniently tracked and deleted by hand. However, if you got BetterSearch in the bundle with a free program, your PC might be contaminated with much more major malwaretrojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you use anti-malware tools to remove the BetterSearch PUA and all various other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender2 – it is capable of discovering and eliminating a wide range of malware, including mentioned hijacker. But significant malware, that can be present on your personal computer in the specified instance, can disable the Windows antimalware program by editing the Group Policies. To prevent such situations, it is better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and delete all unwanted programs on your desktop with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malicious programs, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and folders.

Main screen in GridinSoft Anti-Malware

You can spectate the detected malicious programs sorted by their possible harm till the scan process. But to perform any actions against malicious programs, you need to hold on until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware during the scan

To set the action for every detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious program. By default, all malware will be removed to quarantine.

List of the detected malware after the scan

Reset browser settings to original ones

To revert your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action cannot be intercepted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.

Tools tab in GridinSoft Anti-Malware

After choosing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be displayed, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Reset Browser Settings options

Deleteing BetterSearch hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

To reset Edge, do the following steps :
  1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
  2. Reseting the Edge browser

  3. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :
For Mozilla Firefox, do the next actions :
  1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
  2. The first step to revert Mozilla Firefox

  3. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :
  4. The second step of Firefox restoration
    After choosing this option, you will see the next message :
    The last step for Firefox

If you use Google Chrome
  1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
  2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
  3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
Opera can be reset in the next way
  1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
  2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

I need your help to share this guide.

Browser hijackers are among the largest and also disruptive kinds of malware. I published this article to help you, so I wish you will help me to make the computer world completely clean of malware. Please, share this article in the social networks you use – Twitter, Reddit, Facebook – wherever.
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Wilbur Woodham
How to Remove BetterSearch?

Name: BetterSearch

Description: BetterSearch - a lot of users became a victim of browser hijacker. I have a lot of friends who literally bombed me with the questions like “how to remove BetterSearch?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with BetterSearch (Bettersearchtr.com), which may corrupt your browser’s correct performance, and create a lot of troubles while you are working.

Operating System: Windows

Application Category: Browser Hijacker

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References

  1. More information about PUAs
  2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender

About the author

Wilbur Woodham

I was a technical writer from early in my career, and consider IT Security one of my foundational skills. I’m sharing my experience here, and I hope you find it useful.

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