Remove Prefer Search Redirect — How to Fix Guide

The Prefer Search search hijacker is an example of a basic unwanted program; such programs are promoted massively nowadays. In this article you will see the detailed information of “Prefer Search” hijacker elimination in different ways: making use of anti-malware tools and also hand-operated removal process.

It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!

Removing Prefer 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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Prefer Search – What is it?

“Prefer Search” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is promoted as a plugin for your internet browser. It is usually advertised as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to search some particular details, as an example, about sport events, make your browser far more secure, allow downloading of any type of web video, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nonetheless, the “Prefer Search” plugin is fairly ineffective because all such functions are already integrated to your browser and/or Windows. Such marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. However in some cases even experienced users are getting caught on such an appeal. In specific instances, this hijacker is spread along with free programs.

Prefer Search Search Hijacker

Here is a short details for the Prefer Search hijacker

How harmful is Prefer Search hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, Prefer Search hijacker is additionally really unsafe for web browser utilization. It transforms your search engine to its particular – Prefersearch.com, and additionally alters your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, sometimes, altering it to default with the specified sign).

Aside from viewable alterations done by Prefer Search hijacker, you might discover that a number of your search inquiries are redirecting to the dubious web pages, filled with web links and ads – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can include web links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting boosts if you try to open Google search page forcibly.

However all these activities are more frustrating than really dangerous. The most important risk, particularly for people who have a great deal of secret information in their internet browsers, is installed in data gathering functionalities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited websites, and other activities are simply collected by Prefer Search hijacker.

How to remove Prefer 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 easy to deal with. For the most part, they have a separate application that can be located in the list of installed software. Because of the specific distribution manner of Prefer Search hijacker, it can be easily tracked and removed manually. However, if you got Prefer Search in the bundle with a free program, your PC might be contaminated with a lot more major malware – trojans, spyware or perhaps ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you make use of anti-malware tools to delete the Prefer Search PUA and all other malware.

You can use Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of recognizing and eliminating different malware, including mentioned hijacker. But major malware, that might be present on your PC in the discussed case, can disable the Windows antimalware program by modifying the Group Policies. To prevent such circumstances, it is far better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

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

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

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

Reset browser settings to original ones

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

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

Deleteing Prefer 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 Prefer Search?

Name: Prefer Search

Description: Prefer 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 Prefer Search?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with Prefer Search (Prefersearch.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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