QSearch Hijacker - How to remove

Qsearch.pw is a web page that replaces the new tab page in web browsers. Qsearch.pw is not reliable, nobody installs it on purpose. Rather, it appears unexpectedly, usually caused by a malicious app or browser extension.

While Qsearch.pw is not especially dangerous, it is bad for privacy and productivity. You can get rid of it by removing the app or extension that is causing this site to open.

Qsearch.pw in short:

Classification	Adware, browser hijacker.
Problems and issues	Qsearch.pw takes over the new tab, it redirects search queries to unwanted sites.
How Qsearch spreads	It’s advertised online misleadingly, disguised as other software, it’s bundled with pirated software and with apps downloaded from unreliable websites.
How to stop Qsearch.pw redirects	Find and uninstall apps and browser extensions that could be causing the problem, find the threats manually and with anti-malware tools (Spyhunter for Mac, Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, etc.), check relevant browser settings and change them if needed.

What problems does Qsearch.pw cause?

The QSearch page is a browser hijacker. It opens on its own in new browser tabs, even when you might never have heard of it before.

QSearch has no features that would make it worth using. In fact, it has even less to offer than default new tab pages of all the major browsers:

• QSearch doesn’t let you change its background picture,
• there’s no way to edit the links to popular websites that QSearch shows,
• there’s a search box in the middle of the page but you can’t control which search engine it opens.

Oh, and let’s not forget that it can track your browsing data, including your search history. This data can include a lot of personal information that a site like Qsearch.pw has no business seeing.

Because Qsearch.pw controls where your search results appear, it can open ads and other unexpected sites instead of search results. Mostly, though, it just leads to Yahoo, Bing, or another functional search engine. However, because it redirects, search results take a little longer than usual to appear.

What causes QSearch to appear?

Qsearch.pw is similar to Gsearch.live. It’s promoted by QuicklookPI, Epsilon, SearchUp, and other adware. These apps tend to get access to important settings and data, such as Safari data.

Adware apps get installed without permission. They do this by using malicious ads. One of the best examples is fake Flash Player updates – these apps start with online advertisements made to look like serious alerts about outdated Flash Player, they lead to downloading a fake or infected installer for the plugin, and end with various adware apps being installed.

Another way in which Qsearch.pw might infect a Mac is via pirated apps and apps downloaded from unreliable websites. These installers may be infected with adware and other malicious software.

How to stop Qsearch.pw redirects

Removing QSearch can be harder than getting rid of a normal app or browser add-on. This hijacker can be persistent.

So, it’s important to review all the possibilities.

• See if there are unwanted extensions installed on your browser. Remove or disable them and see if that stops the Qsearch.pw redirects.
• Check your browser settings for the new tab and default search engine. You can change these settings if they point to Qsearch.pw or another unwanted site. Or they can reveal what extensions are controlling them.
• Review your computer for adware and other malware. There might be some adware that is opening Qsearch.pw in your browsers. You can look for them with anti-malware apps, such as Spyhunter for Mac, Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, and others.
• If any adware infections are present on your Mac, removing them with an anti-malware tool might not be enough. Below are instructions for how to change your settings, such as your Network settings and your Profiles, to remove all traces of adware.

In some cases, the QSearch adware might reinstall or restart itself. Enter safe mode to stop the hijacker from running.

Automatic Malware removal tools

How to remove QSearch Hijacker from macOS

Delete Qsearch.pw from your applications.

1. Open Finder.
2. In the menu bar, click Go.
3. Select Applications from the dropdown.
4. Find the QSearch Hijacker app.
5. Select it and right-click it (or hold the Ctrl and click the left mouse button).
6. In the dropdown, click Move to Bin/Trash. You might be asked to provide your login password.

(Optional) Delete related settings

Some malicious apps make themselves difficult to delete by changing various settings and leaving behind malicious files. Remove settings related to Qsearch.pw.

• Click the Apple logo in the menu bar. Open System Preferences.
• Some malicious applications set profiles to enforce unwanted settings. Remove unwanted configuration profiles.

1. 1. In System Preferences, click the Profiles icon. This icon is only visible if there are profiles on your Mac.
   2. Select unwanted profiles and remove them by pressing the minus '-'  button at the bottom.

• Some adware applications set SOCKS proxy to manipulate your internet traffic. Remove unwanted proxies:

1. 1. In System Preferences, click Network, Advanced, Proxies.
   2. If a proxy is set without your permission, uncheck it and click OK.

(Optional) Delete malicious files

Some malicious apps leave behind dangerous files in your Library folders. Delete files related to QSearch Hijacker.

1. Open Finder.
2. In the menu bar, click Go -> Computer.
3. In the search box, type in Qsearch.pw and variations of it.
4. Delete the files that are found and that seem to be related to QSearch Hijacker.

How to remove QSearch Hijacker from Safari:Top

Remove malicious extensions

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences.
  
• Select Extensions and uninstall Qsearch.pw and other suspicious extensions.
  
• If your homepage was changed, click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences and choose General tab. Enter preferable URL to the homepage field.
  

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

• Click on 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.

TopHow to remove QSearch Hijacker from Google Chrome on Mac:

• Open Chrome browser.
• Enter in the url field “chrome://extensions” address and hit Enter.
• Find Qsearch.pw on the extensions list and click on the recycle bin icon next to it.
• Click on 'Chrome' button at the top left corner. Select 'Preferences' on a drop-down menu box.
• Find 'Search' options on Settings tab. If your search engine is changed, click 'Manage Search Engines' and set your preferred search engine.
• On the same page find 'Show home button' checkbox and change your homepage.

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

• On the 'Preferences' menu window, scroll down to the bottom and find 'Reset settings' button. Click it.
• Confirm your selection and click 'Reset' on the following window.

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