Pro Search Redirects - How to remove

Pro Search is a search hijacker that redirects to Proext-app.xyz which opens Bing. It also restricts the user from changing their default search engine. Pro Search can be removed without worries, as it doesn’t really provide any useful function. All search hijackers can be removed because they’re almost always useless.

It’s important to note that Pro Search is not related at all to certain companies that use a very similar name. I don’t want to name them because I want their name to not be associated with this little hijacker. Hijackers and other malware often use legitimate and serious-sounding names to inspire trust in users. But this version of Pro Search, the one associated with Proext-app.xyz, should not be trusted.

Pro Search in short:

Classification	Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program.
How to recognize Pro Search	“Search prosearch” appears in the address bar of the browser, search results are directed to Proext-app.xyz and returned in Bing.
Problems and issues	Unwanted search redirects, unhelpful restriction of the default search engine, Pro Search getting access to a lot of user data.
Removing Pro Search	Uninstall Pro Search, find and remove malicious browser extensions manually or with an antivirus program (Spyhunter for Windows, Combo Cleaner for macOS, others).

How Pro Search changes the browser

Redirects to Bing

Pro Search is different from Pro Search Tip, despite their similar names. Pro Search is much closer to FastURL, Coupon Search, and other recent add-ons. The Pro Search add-on uses this line in the address bar: “Search prosearch”.

Another name associated with Pro Search is Proext-app.xyz. This is the site that Pro Search sets as your new default search engine. You might notice Proext-app.xyz loading briefly in your address bar.

Pro Search is a sneaky search hijacker. Once it’s installed, it doesn’t seem to make any obvious changes to the browser. The new tab page (the one you open by pressing the plus ‘+’ button at the top of the browser) looks similar to the default new tab page on Google Chrome. Pro Search only uses a different icon – three squares (orange, green, and blue).

But it doesn’t take long to notice the search redirects by Pro Search. In my case, it redirected searches to Proext-app.xyz and then to Bing.com. This is also mentioned in Pro Search’s description – “configures your Default Search to Bing”. Not sure why it uses the image of Startpage.com in its promotional material, though. They don’t seem to be connected at all. Maybe this is another way that Pro Search is trying to appear more legitimate to users?

Collects user data

According to Pro Search’s privacy policy which can be found on Proext-app.xyz/privacy, it does not collect excessive user data, such as search queries. But it does collect search history – while accusing other search sites of not respecting users’ privacy.

That seems hypocritical. Pro Search and Proext-app.xyz is hardly a search site, it is just a useless add-on that restricts user choice. There are only a few reasons for it to exist that I can think of:

• To collect data on users for use in targeted advertising.
• To promote a search website (in this case, Bing).
• To hijack searches and promote other sites by subtly changing search queries and loading promoted sites for certain search queries.

How to remove Pro Search

Uninstall Pro Search

Uninstall Pro Search as shown in the instructions below. And check all of the extensions that are installed on your browser. Those that change your search settings, replace your new tab, or read and change your data on all sites are most suspicious. But even extensions that read your browsing history are capable of hijacking searches.

Another way to find and remove Pro Search and other suspicious browser extensions is to scan your computer with an antivirus program. Spyhunter for PC, Combo Cleaner for Mac, or other scanners can detect potentially unwanted programs and other mild malware.

Once Pro Search is removed, Proext-app.xyz redirects will stop.

Avoid unnecessary browser extensions

Some users might be tempted to install browser extensions that change their search settings, like Pro Search does, to fix the harm done by other search hijackers. In fact, it’s how another browser extension, Guardian Search Protector, is advertised. But this is not sustainable:

• It allows the hijacker to remain installed and do some background activities.
• The next hijacker that’s installed on top will replace the search engine again.
• Too many browser extensions create more security risks and privacy issues.

Once you’ve removed Pro Search, check your default search engine and start page settings. After all the hijackers are gone, you are in control of these settings.

Those who have to deal with unwanted extensions often should consider using an ad-blocker or an anti-malware program that blocks malicious websites and scripts. This can help stay away from malware, as can avoiding fake download buttons, recognizing fake software updates, and staying away from sites that display dangerous ads.

Automatic Malware removal tools

Remove unwanted browser extensions

TopHow To remove Pro Search Redirects 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 Pro Search Redirects, 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 Pro Search Redirects 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 Prosearch, 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.

How To remove Pro Search Redirects from Firefox:Top

• 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 Pro Search Redirects 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.
  
• If your homepage was changed, click on the Firefox menu in the top right corner, select Options → General. Enter a preferable URL to the homepage field and click Restore to Default.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to Pro Search Redirects, 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.
  
• ChooseTroubleshooting Information on the Help menu.
  
• Click on theReset Firefox button.
  
• Click on the Reset Firefox button on the confirmation box. Mozilla Firefox will close and change the settings to default.
  

If the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program to identify malicious entries.