How to remove Hoosearch browser plugin?

The Hoosearch search hijacker is an example of a common unwanted program; such programs are distributed enormously nowadays. In this article you will see the detailed guidelines of “Hoosearch” hijacker removal in several methods: making use of anti-malware tools and hand-operated elimination method.

It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!

Removing Hoosearch 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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Hoosearch – What is it?

“Hoosearch” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is promoted as a plugin for your internet browser. It is usually spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to search some certain details, for instance, about sport events, make your web browser much more safe, enable downloading of any kind of video, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nonetheless, the “Hoosearch” plugin is rather ineffective because all such features are currently built-in to your web browser and/or system. Such marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. However frequently even experienced users are getting caught on such an appeal. In certain cases, this hijacker is distributed together with free programs.

Hoosearch Search Hijacker

Here is a info for the Hoosearch hijacker

How harmful is Hoosearch hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, Hoosearch hijacker is likewise rather hazardous for browser utilization. It changes your search engine to its specific – Hoosearch.com, and additionally transforms your background, adding its watermark on your background image (or, in some cases, altering it to default with the mentioned sign).

Apart from aesthetic transformations done by Hoosearch hijacker, you might notice that many of your search inquiries are redirecting to the unfamiliar websites, filled with links and promotions – so-called doorway sites. Such websites can have web links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting increases if you try to start Google search page by force.

However all these actions are more frustrating than really hazardous. The most significant risk, primarily for people who have a considerable amount of secret information in their browsers, is installed in information collecting functionalities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited web pages, as well as various other activities are simply gathered by Hoosearch hijacker.

How to remove Hoosearch 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 usually quite simple to deal with. Usually, they have a separate application that can be spotted in the list of installed applications. Because of the specific distribution manner of Hoosearch hijacker, it can be conveniently tracked and erased by hand. Nonetheless, if you got Hoosearch in the bundle with a free program, your computer may be infected with much more severe malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you utilize anti-malware tools to remove the Hoosearch PUA and all various other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of detecting and eliminating a wide range of malware, including mentioned hijacker. However, serious malware, that might exist on your personal computer in the specified instance, can disable the Windows antivirus tool by modifying the Group Policies. To minimize the chanse of such scenarios, it is better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

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

You can see the detected malicious apps sorted by their possible hazard during the scan process. But to perform any actions against the viruses, you need to wait until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

To choose 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.

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you need to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action cannot be counteracted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This action can be located in the Tools tab.

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

Deleteing Hoosearch 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.

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