A new browser hijacking software has been reported to be setting the search engine topsearchlinks(.)net as a home page or a new tab page of user PCs. The suspicious software has a specific character of modifying the web browser of the user’s settings so that it may collect information or display targeted or ad-supported search results.
Name | Topsearchlinks(.)net |
Type | Browser Hijacker |
Short Description | The software may perform various unwanted activities on the user PC. |
Symptoms | The user may witness ad-supported search results plus PC slow-downs and freezes. |
Distribution Method | Via other PUPs, installed by bundling or by visiting a suspicious third-party site that is advertising it. |
Detection Tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware |
User Experience | Join our forum to discuss Topsearchlinks(.)net. |
Topsearchlinks(.)net Browser Hijacker – Distribution
To be spread across many users the browser modifying software linked to Topsearchlings(.)net may use a technique called bundling download. This may be the including of Topsearchlinks(.)net software in the free installer of a program users download on a daily basis. You may have encountered bundled software in the installer of a program downloaded from a software providing sites or torrent websites.
The PUP(Potentially Unwanted Program) is usually in one of the installation steps and is added “As a free extra” to the setup. Often users tend to disregard those steps by fast-clicking their way through the installers and sometimes some of those applications do not even have such steps. Instead, they have the install mentioned in the EULA agreement. This is why it is advisable to take caution when it comes to installing new software.
Topsearchlinks(.)net Browser Hijacker In Detail
Once installed on the computer, the program may situate its program files In some of the most often met application folders:
After this is done, this software may then begin to modify the browser by adding an extension to it. This may be observed in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer or Safari browsers. Some of the permissions of the extension may allow it to change the new tab page and the home page of the user to Topsearchlinks(.)net – a suspicious search engine which may be a hoax.
When the search engine itself was research, it did not take a long time to establish that it used cookies, and it did not have HTTPs – something highly uncommon for search engines.
Furthermore, it redirected to an Ask(.)com results page which was ad-supported, further suggesting that it could be hoax search engine, since it did not have its own search result database.
Not only this, but the privacy policy of the search engine suggests that there are a lot of third-party links being used, and they do not hold responsibility for them:
This detail may refer to a large number of third-party websites that this hoax search engine may advertise and drive traffic to. Such sites may be dangerous in different ways to the user. The dangers associated with third-party sites that may be advertised through hijackers such as the Topsearchlinks(.)net one may be classified in two subcategories:
- Sites that may phish for financial and personal information by scamming the user.
- URLs that may infect the user with malware.
Usually, such PUPs are undetected by conventional antivirus software, and this is why we strongly advise that they are removed using an advanced anti-malware software that detects indirect ad-supported risks such as Topsearchlinks(.)net browser hijacker.
Remove Topsearchlinks(.)net Browser Hijacker
To fully be rid of this software from your machine, we advise you to follow the removal instructions below, because they are arranged so that you try the most effective methods and save yourself money on IT experts that will fix your computer. Furthermore, it is advisable to download an anti-malware program that will protect you against future ad-supported applications and malware intrusions.
Delete Topsearchlinks(.)net from Windows and Your Browser
Remove Topsearchlinks(.)net automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.
- Guide 1: How to Remove Topsearchlinks(.)net from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Topsearchlinks(.)net on Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Topsearchlinks(.)net in Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Topsearchlinks(.)net from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Topsearchlinks(.)net from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Topsearchlinks(.)net from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Topsearchlinks(.)net from Internet Explorer.
- Guide 8: Disable Topsearchlinks(.)net Push Notifications in Your Browsers.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Topsearchlinks(.)net from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Topsearchlinks(.)net





Step 2: Uninstall Topsearchlinks(.)net 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:



Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Topsearchlinks(.)net on your computer.
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 Topsearchlinks(.)net there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:



Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Get rid of Topsearchlinks(.)net from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Topsearchlinks(.)net and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- 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 Topsearchlinks(.)net 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 Topsearchlinks(.)net files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Topsearchlinks(.)net, 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Remove Topsearchlinks(.)net 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Erase Topsearchlinks(.)net 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Uninstall Topsearchlinks(.)net 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Remove Topsearchlinks(.)net 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 Topsearchlinks(.)net will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Eliminate Topsearchlinks(.)net 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 caused by Topsearchlinks(.)net 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".