Discrete Search browser hijacker removal instructions

The Discrete Search search hijacker is an illustration of a typical unwanted program; such programs are promoted massively these days. In this article you will see the precise information of “Discrete Search” hijacker removal in several ways: making use of anti-malware software and manual elimination technique.

It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!

Removing Discrete Search manually may take hours and may damage your PC in the process. I recommend you to download GridinSoft Anti-Malware for threats removal. Allows to complete scan and cure your PC during the trial period.

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Discrete Search – What is it?

“Discrete Search” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is promoted as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to search some special information, as an example, about sport events, make your browser far more secure, enable downloading of any kind of web video, et cetera.

However, the “Discrete Search” plugin is fairly pointless because all such features are currently integrated to your web browser and/or system. Such marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. However occasionally even professional users are getting caught on such an attraction. In specific situations, this hijacker is distributed along with free programs.

Discrete Search Search Hijacker

Here is a short details for the Discrete Search hijacker

How harmful is Discrete Search hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, Discrete Search hijacker is likewise quite harmful for browser utilization. It transforms your search engine to its specific – Discretesearch.com, and additionally changes your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, in some cases, altering it to default with the specified symptom).

Besides visual adjustments done by Discrete Search hijacker, you may discover that some of your search queries are redirecting to the dubious sites, filled with web links and ads – so-called doorway websites. Such sites can have links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting boosts if you try to open Google search page forcibly.

However all these activities are much more annoying than truly hazardous. The biggest threat, particularly for people who have a huge amount of confidential information in their browsers, is embedded in information collecting functionalities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited sites, and various other activities are simply collected by Discrete Search hijacker.

How to remove Discrete Search 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 often pretty simple to delete. For the most part, they have a separate app that can be located in the list of installed apps. As a result of the certain distribution tactic of Discrete Search hijacker, it can be conveniently tracked and erased by hand. However, if you got Discrete Search in the package with a free program, your system may be infected with much more serious malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you use anti-malware tools to remove the Discrete Search PUA and all various other malware.

You can use Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of detecting and eliminating various malware, including mentioned hijacker. However, severe malware, that can be present on your PC in the specified situation, can disable the Windows antimalware tool by editing the Group Policies. To keep away from such scenarios, it is far better to make use of GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and remove all malicious programs on your personal computer 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 scans only the most popular registry entries and directories.

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

To choose the action for each spotted virus or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected virus. By default, all malware will be moved to quarantine.

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be intercepted by any virus, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.

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

Deleteing Discrete Search 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. 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. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :


After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

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.

How to Remove Discrete Search?

Name: Discrete Search

Description: Discrete Search - 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 Discrete Search?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with Discrete Search (Discretesearch.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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