ToptoSearch Hijacker - How to remove

ToptoSearch is a search-hijacking browser extension that works just like Coldsearch.com and Tailsearch.com. It gets attached to your web browser and changes the default search engine – just to make some advertising money off of each user. Although ToptoSearch is not malware, it can still be annoying to have in your browser. Luckily, you don’t need to deal with it – you can just remove all unwanted browser add-ons yourself. Multiple ones, as it’s likely that ToptoSearch was installed together with another hijacker.

Short description of ToptoSearch:

Type of threat	Adware, browser hijacker.
Changes made to your browser	Toptosearch.com set as the default search engine, your new tab page may have changed to another page.
Problems with ToptoSearch	Unwanted installation, no useful functionality, low-quality ads.
How to remove ToptoSearch	Remove adware from your browser, check your device for malware (Spyhunter for PC, Combo Cleaner for Mac, etc.).

What is ToptoSearch

Since a web browser is used to access the internet, any changes made to its settings meaningfully affect your browsing experience: your privacy, security, and efficiency. ToptoSearch changes the default search engine setting, which refers to the website that delivers your internet search results. ToptoSearch changes your default search engine to Toptosearch.com, which its makers can then control at will. They can make it be Google, Yahoo, or something else entirely – and it’s not up to you, because while ToptoSearch is installed, you can’t change your search engine settings.

ToptoSearch fails to offer any useful features – its only function is to hijack your internet searches and be able to deliver you ads. This makes a tiny bit of money for ToptoSearch’s operators and it’s the reason why ToptoSearch exists.

ToptoSearch does track some your data, like your IP, but it doesn’t steal your usernames or passwords, so you don’t need to worry about that. However, it is possible for browser hijackers to do that – and having ToptoSearch could lead to worse infections later on.

ToptoSearch gets bundled with some other browser hijackers, such as Doc2DPF. It also reads your data while on the site called df8c.online, which is a site that uses the Flash SD App Required scam to spread malicious browser extensions. Sites like the one in the screenshot below are used to spread malicious browser extensions all the time:

How to avoid browser hijackers

Over multiple extensions, ToptoSearch seems to have up to ten thousand users. How did such a useless extension get so many users – and how can we avoid letting adware into our browsers?

1. Be careful with what you install. Some free programs come bundled with adware, which they install automatically on your device. ToptoSearch would just appear in your browser with no explanation. These programs tend to be hosted on shady download sites. Scanning their installers with an antivirus program could tell you when there’s adware inside and thus prevent an infection.
2. Be aware of deceptive ads that trick you into installing an extension. There are some full-page ads similar to that fake Flash SD App page int he screenshot above. Ads on sites that automatically match their text to what you were searching for. Except they don’t give you the result they promised, but only a worthless browser extension.
3. If you suspect an adware infection, scan your computer. Adware viruses can stealthily inject malicious ads into your browser, causing all kinds of malware and scams to appear. And it might not be clear that it’s malware messing with your browser – it may look like websites just show more ads than usual.

Nobody installs ToptoSearch intentionally. It uses deceptive, unfair tactics to make its way on people’s computers, just like any malware. Being skeptical, cautious, and using good anti-malware applications could help you stay safe.

How to remove ToptoSearch

Removing ToptoSearch is easy enough through browser settings – the instructions for each browser are posted below. Just make sure to look at your other extensions – check their permissions, privacy policies, etc. Remove any that you don’t trust.

Also, you may want to use some antivirus program, like Spyhunter for Windows, Combo Cleaner for macOS, or others. An antivirus scan would tell you if there are any suspicious programs on your computer or in your browser. Some anti-malware apps can also be used to block malicious sites.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to uninstall browser extensions

TopRemoving ToptoSearch Hijacker from Chrome

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Google Chrome window. Select “Settings”.
  
• Click “Extensions” on the left menu bar.
• Go through the extensions list and remove programs you do not need, especially similar to ToptoSearch. Click on the trash bin icon next to ToptoSearch Hijacker or other add-ons you want to remove.
  
• Press on the “Remove” button on the Confirmation window.
  
• If unsure, you can disable them temporarily.
  
• Restart Chrome.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to ToptoSearch, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on Chrome’s menu button (three horizontal lines) and select Settings.
  
• Scroll to the end of the page and click on the Reset settings button.
  
• Click on the Reset button on the confirmation box.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

TopRemoving ToptoSearch Hijacker from Firefox

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla window and select the “Add-ons” icon (or press Ctrl+Shift+A on your keyboard).
  
• Go through Extensions and Addons list, remove everything ToptoSearch related and items you do not recognise. If you do not know the extension and it is not made by Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, Oracle or Adobe then you probably do not need it.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to ToptoSearch Hijacker, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla Firefox window. Click on the Help button.
  
• Choose Troubleshooting Information on the Help menu.
  
• Click on the Reset Firefox button.
  
• Click on the Reset Firefox button on the confirmation box. Mozilla Firefox will close and change the settings to default.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

How to remove ToptoSearch Hijacker from Microsoft Edge:Top

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Microsoft Edge window. Select “Extensions”.

• Go through the extensions list and remove programs you do not need, especially similar to ToptoSearch. Click on the "Remove" icon next to ToptoSearch Hijacker or other add-ons you want to remove.

• Press on the “Remove” button on the Confirmation window.

• If unsure, you can disable them temporarily.

• Restart Microsoft Edge.

TopRemoving ToptoSearch from Safari (Mac OS X)

• Click on the Safari menu.
• Choose Preferences.
  
• Click on the Extensions Tab.
• Click on the Uninstall button near the ToptoSearch Hijacker. Remove all other unknown or suspicious entries too. If you are not sure whether you need the extension or not, you can simply uncheck the Enable check-box to disable the extension temporarily.
  
• Restart Safari.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to ToptoSearch, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on the Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Reset Safari.
  
• Select which options you want to reset (usually all of them come preselected) and click on the Reset button.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.