OptimumSearch Adware - How to remove

OptimumSearch is an adware infection that sets Optimum.icu as your default search engine in your web browser. When OptimumSearch changes your browser settings, gaining access to your search settings and your browsing history. Plus, Optimum.icu hosts some malicious files on it that could cause an adware infection. And removing these infections can be tricky.

Details on OptimumSearch:

Type of threat	Adware, browser hijacker.
What is OptimumSearch	Browser add-on that promotes Optimum.icu, Optimum.icu spreads adware and hijacks searches.
Adware symptoms	Advertisements being injected into your browser, unwanted browser extensions being installed.
Removal of OptimumSearch	Uninstall OptimumSearch and other suspicious browser extensions, check your computer for adware (with Combo Cleaner for macOS, Spyhunter for Windows, others).

Dangerous files on OptimumSearch

OptimumSearch is a search hijacker and an adware infection.

First, there is a browser add-on called OptimumSearch. Browser add-ons are just little programs that get attached to web browsers and change some of their functions or add new features. All that OptimumSearch does, once installed, is make Search.optimum.icu the default search engine in your browser. This does not appear to do anything except change the appearance of your browser’s new tab page – the search box that is usually in the middle of the page disappears. Also, OptimumSearch gets access to your browsing history and search terms.

For more information, you can check OptimumSearch’s privacy policy. It reveals a connection to Yahoo.com (another Yahoo redirect virus). But the privacy policy does not reveal the name of the company behind OptimumSearch, and the provided email address is not valid. So, those are some red flags.

But the problems do not end here. OptimumSearch lives on Optimum.icu, a website that appears to host some malicious executables. These files install adware, as you can see on this VirusTotal page. If you downloaded and opened any files from Optimum.icu, you may have infected your computer with adware.

OptimumSearch is related to Browsio.net, which also downloads malicious executables. Browsio.net appears to be one of those sites that spreads fake software updates that are infected with malware.

Symptoms of an adware infection

Adware causes pop-up ads, browser redirects, malicious spam ads to appear on your screen. If you have any of that, make sure to scan your device with a good anti-malware program.

The OptimumSearch browser add-on has control over your internet searches, so you may notice your internet search results having a few more ads than normal, or opening websites that you didn’t want. Search.optimum.icu may not even appear in your address bar, it just quickly redirects your browser to whatever site it wants you to go to. Similarly to Search-operator.com, Searchnewworld.com, and other sites.

If you happened to download and open any files from Optimum.icu or Browsio.net, you may notice some other problems:

• pop-ups on your desktop and in your web browser,
• online ads looking different than normal and being more numerous,
• some links redirecting to promotional sites,
• new browser tabs opening without your consent,
• new browser extensions being installed without your consent.

The goal of adware infections and browser add-ons like OptimumSearch is to show you more ads and to get you to visit certain websites. They make money from advertising, and that’s what adware does – advertise to you. Against your consent, while violating your privacy, and wasting your time and screen space.

How to remove OptimumSearch

To remove OptimumSearch the browser add-on, you can simply remove it in browser settings. The instructions are posted in the section below, but in short, you can right-click the extension icon and then click on “Remove”.

If OptimumSearch refuses to be uninstalled because it’s “managed by an organization” or something similar, check out this post. Some malicious browser extensions abuse a setting which makes it impossible to remove the extension unless you delete some Chrome settings from your computer. It’s meant to help schools and businesses manage the browsers of their students and employees, but malicious actors go and abuse it.

As for adware, it’s advisable to scan your computer with an anti-malware app, such as Combo Cleaner for Mac, Spyhunter for PC, and others. Adware viruses can be hard to find manually and, even after being deleted, they often leave behind some files.

Automatic Malware removal tools

Remove unwanted browser extensions

TopHow To remove OptimumSearch Adware from Google Chrome:

• Click on the 3 horizontal lines icon on a browser toolbar and Select More Tools→Extensions
  
• Select all malicious extensions and delete them.
  
• Click on the 3 horizontal lines icon on a browser toolbar and Select Settings
  
• Select Manage Search engines
  
• Remove unnecessary search engines from the list
  
• Go back to settings. On Startup choose Open blank page (you can remove undesired pages from the set pages link too).
• If your homepage was changed, click on Chrome menu on the top right corner, select Settings. Select Open a specific page or set of pages and click on Set pages.
  
• Delete malicious search websites at a new Startup pages window by clicking “X” next to them.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

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

• Click on a Chrome’s menu button (three horizontal lines) and select Settings.
• Scroll to the end of the page and click on theReset browser 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.

How to remove OptimumSearch Adware from Microsoft Edge:Top

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

• Select all malicious extensions and delete them.

• Click on the three-dot menu on the browser toolbar and Select Settings

• Select Privacy and Services and scroll down. Press on Address bar.

• Choose Manage search engines.

• Remove unnecessary search engines from the list: open the three-dot menu and choose Remove.

• Go back to Settings. Open On start-up.
• Delete malicious search websites at Open specific page or pages by opening the three-dot menu and clicking Delete.

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

• Click on Edge's menu button and select Settings. Click on the Reset Settings button on the left.
• Press the Restore settings to their default values option.

• 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.