This article has been created to help you by explaining how to remove the ChromeSearch.win browser hijacker software from your computer and fix your web browser’s default search.
ChromeSearch.win is the name of the browser hijacker program which is generally classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program). It may cause redirect to the chrome search site which has nothing to do with Google Chrome and aims to impersonate it. This is done in order to get you to use the services of this browser hijacking program and get you to see a lot of third-party advertisements and browser redirects. The unwanted software may change your default search, home page and new tab page to ChromeSearch.win, very similar to the ChromeSearch.today hijacker. If you have seen this web page appearing on your computer, reccomendations are that you immediately focus on removing it from your computer system by reading this article.
Threat Summary
| Name | ChromeSearch.win |
| Type | Potentially Unwanted Program |
| Short Description | Changes the default search engine on your computer to ChromeSearch.win and begins to cause redirecs everytime you search. |
| Symptoms | Heavily modified web browser settings. May display different types of advertisements. |
| Distribution Method | Via bundled installers, fake setups or via other PUP that has already been installed on your PC. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss ChromeSearch.win. |
ChomeSearch.win Distribution Methods
Similar to ChromeSearch.today, the ChromeSearch.win hijacker may be spread in a multitude of methods. The main of those methods is via installations of third-party applications. Such setups may come bundled with apps, like ChromeSearch.win and they are usually freeware which is uploaded on software providing websties. The way ChromeSearch.win slithers in your computer is via hiding in one of the installation steps under the Custom or Advanced installation modes of those installers, thus installing it without any notification if you miss those steps. So, be sure to always check any prompts in all the steps that may advertise you ChromeSearch.win “as a free extra”.
In addition to via being bundled, the suspicious software related to ChomeSearch.today could come on your browser via web pages that advertise browser extensions and other types of advertised content. Furthermore, the browser hijacker may automatically be installed, if you have other adware or malware previously infected your computer and the malicious software downloads ChromeSearch.win as a browser extension or a program on your computer.
ChromeSearch.win – More Information
The primary activity of the unwanted software after being installed on your computer is set ChromeSearch.win as your homepage, which looks like the following:
ChromerSearch.win may also cause a browser redirection if you begin to use its services and begin to search on it’s pages. When you use it, the hijacker regirects you to it’s google custom search page, which may include third-party ads, from which the founders of the hijacker may generate income. In additions to this, the search engine may filter the searchers and send result sto web servers that are connected to the hijackers to track your online searches. Furthermore, the ChromeSearch.win may also track other information from your computer, such as:
- Browser history.
- Browsing clicks.
- Favorite web pages.
This information may be used in order to display targeted search results or other advertisements, based on your browsing behavior, like:
- Pop-ups.
- Online banners.
- Highlighted text.
- Ad-supported results.
- Browser redirection.
Furthermore, ChromeSearch.win does not even possess it’s own search engine, but redirects to third-party results and it does this while not even ensuring encrypted connection – something highly untypical for legitimate search engine.
In addition to this, the Privacy Policy of ChromeSearch.win may also state that they may collect Personal Information if provided by the user, which makes using the software rather risky, since this information may be stored by ChromeSearch.win:
Such information may include:
- Your IP address, MAC address and other network and system information.
- Your online accounts and e-mail addresses.
- Your Cookies from other sites and other related information.
- Other details that you may provide.
In addition to this, the ChromeSearch.win app may also perform other activities on your computer, such as take up system resources to display ads and since the software may also redirect you to malicious or phishing web pages, recommendation are to remove it, because it may be indirectly risky to your computer system.
ChromeSearch.win – How to Remove
In order to remove this Potentially Unwanted Program from your computer system, reccomendations are to focus on following the step-by-step removal instructions below. If you do not have experience in removing unwanted software, experts advise trusing an advanced anti-malware software to automatically remove ChromeSearch.win from your computer by scanning for all the registries, files and other objects and processes ran by It on your Windows and the web browsers that are installed on it. Such software will also make sure that these applications do not come back in the future as well.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove ChromeSearch.win from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for ChromeSearch.win with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall ChromeSearch.win and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by ChromeSearch.win on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by ChromeSearch.win there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for ChromeSearch.win (Windows).
Get rid of ChromeSearch.win from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall ChromeSearch.win and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to ChromeSearch.win. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove ChromeSearch.win via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove ChromeSearch.win files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ChromeSearch.win, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for ChromeSearch.win (Mac)
Remove ChromeSearch.win from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase ChromeSearch.win from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall ChromeSearch.win from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove ChromeSearch.win from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the ChromeSearch.win will be removed.
Eliminate ChromeSearch.win from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
ChromeSearch.win-FAQ
What Is ChromeSearch.win?
The ChromeSearch.win threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of ChromeSearch.win?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like ChromeSearch.win?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does ChromeSearch.win Work?
Once installed, ChromeSearch.win can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
ChromeSearch.win can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is ChromeSearch.win Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the ChromeSearch.win Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ChromeSearch.win how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on ChromeSearch.win?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the ChromeSearch.win threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.