Default-search.net

Default-search.net is a browser hijacker. This browser infection can take over the home page and the default search provider of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer browsers. Even though in many cases the hijacker is installed silently because it can be installed without permission and it can connect to the Internet without permission as well, in other cases you may have an opportunity to refuse the undesirable browser search modifications. If you have accepted the changes, technically you cannot treat the search engine as a browser hijacker. Nonetheless, if it has been installed silently, you need to remove Default-search.net as soon as possible.

Various suspicious applications could be installed onto the computer bundled with Default-search.net browser hijacker. Our malware researchers have found out that the infection can enter the system together with Windows Version Installer by AnySend or Linkey by Aztec Media Inc. The application is a browser extension which is represented via a Task Bar button. The suspicious program promoted at linkeyproject.com is meant to enhance your browsing experience by providing supposedly interesting links from one place. The application is linked to third parties who may have access to information related to your operating system, web browsers and browsing activity.

Unfortunately, even if Default-search.net gets installed illegally, computer users choose to trust this unreliable search provider. The search tool does not present original search results and instead redirects you to Yahoo search pages. For example, if you enter search queries under Web, you will be routed to search.yahoo.com, and Shopping searches will lead you to shopping.yahoo.com. Note that the search results present the so-called Ads. These look like regular links to search results; however, they are likely to represent the services of third party affiliates. We recommend against clicking on these ads.

You should delete Default-search.net from the browsers if the search tool has been installed illegally and if you are not comfortable with the privacy policies related to it. We advise installing a reliable security tool onto the operating system. This tool will ensure further protection and will automatically remove the unreliable programs which may be linked to Default-search.net browser hijacker. You will need to change the undesirable search tools manually; however, this is not a difficult task. All you have to do is follow the steps which are presented below. Make sure you modify the search tools on all affected web browsers.

Remove undesirable software

Remove from Windows XP:

1. Click the Start button on the left of the Task Bar.
2. Select Control Panel and double-click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Remove Linkey and other undesirable software.

Remove from Windows Vista & Windows 7:

1. Click the Start menu icon placed on the Task Bar.
2. Select Control Panel and then click Uninstall a program.
3. Right-click and Uninstall the program you wish to delete.

Remove from Windows 8:

1. Right-click on the Metro UI screen and select All apps.
2. Open the Control Panel and then click Uninstall a program.
3. Right-click the program you wish to delete and click Uninstall.

Delete undesirable search tools

Delete from Internet Explorer:

1. Simultaneously tap Alt+T and select Manage Add-ons.
2. Go to Search Providers and Remove the undesirable search tool.
3. Click Close to exit the utility.
4. Simultaneously tap Alt+T and select Internet Options.
5. Click the General tab and move to the Home Page.
6. Overwrite/remove the URL and click OK.

Delete from Google Chrome:

1. Simultaneously tap Alt+F and select Settings.
2. Move to On Startup and mark Open a specific page or set of pages.
3. Now click Set pages and overwrite/remove the undesirable URL.
4. Click OK and scroll down the page to Appearance.
5. Mark Show Home button and click Change.
6. Overwrite/remove the undesirable URL and click OK.

Delete from Mozilla Firefox:

1. Simultaneously tap Alt+T to open the Tools menu.
2. Select Options and click the General tab.
3. Overwrite/remove the Home Page URL and click OK.
4. Navigate to the Firefox search box on the right.
5. Click the search provider icon and select Manage Search Engines.
6. Remove the undesirable search tool and click OK.