Do you know what Search.onesearch.org is?
Search.onesearch.org is a search engine that is used by a browser hijacker to replace your default homepage. This modification occurs behind your back, and it is more than obvious that you do not need it. The modification ought to expose you to affiliated websites and third parties that this browser hijacker should promote. Unless you remove Search.onesearch.org from your computer, you will constantly see random advertisements and other commercial content on your screen whether you like it or not. Hence, you have to get rid of this and all the other undesirable programs at once.
If you are wondering how this browser hijacker found its way into your computer, the answer is quite simple: bundled downloads and random pop-ups. Third-party apps, adware, and browser hijackers tend to travel together in software packages that are available for download from file-sharing websites. Users tend to download these packages willingly without understanding the risks. What’s more, Search.onesearch.org may also come through some random pop-up that you may encounter when you browse the web. That is also one of the reasons computer security experts emphasize the importance of IGNORING such ads. Clicking them could easily lead to serious computer infections.
Our research team also points out that the pop-ups that promote Search.onesearch.org may be displayed by other unwanted applications. This means that your computer must have been compromised PRIOR to the browser hijacker’s infection. It just shows how important it is to keep a close check of your computer’s security. The best way to do it is to run regular system scans with a reliable antispyware tool. Make sure your security application is regularly updated because it needs to have all the latest malware definitions to protect your PC properly.
Search.onesearch.org screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
This browser hijacker comes from a prominent group of similar infections, and it is identical to Search.searchradioa.com, Search.easysportsaccess.com, Search.searchwag.com, and so on. The creators of these programs do not seem to focus on originality because basically, the only thing that differs across the hijackers is the name. Other than that, you can expect the same behavioral patterns and the same infection consequences. This, of course, also gives us a head start in our battle against the infection because we already know what to expect of it and we can prepare in advance.
So what happens when Search.onesearch.org enters your computer? This browser hijacker affects Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer. Upon the installation, the program changes your default homepage, search engine, and the new tab settings to search.onesearch.org. It might seem that this search engine has something to do with non-profit organizations that focus on healing the world (check out the medical icons above the search box), but then again, we can see that this choice of icons is completely random.
What’s more, aside from changing your homepage, the hijacker will also add a toolbar that will have yet another search box, and some other features such as Local Weather and shortcuts to Gmail, AOL, Yahoo, Outlook, Hotmail, and Google maps. This might look like a useful feature until you realize you can easily have all of these shortcuts saved in your shortcut bar that each of the popular browsers has. So, technically, this function becomes void.
If that were not enough, you should also remember that Search.onesearch.org can redirect your search results via third-party servers, thus successfully monitoring your online activity and collecting information on your web browsing habits. Later on, this information can be used against you by exposing you to corrupted third-party content. Whichever it might be, it is obvious that such behavior is not safe, and you must not succumb to the advertisements displayed by this browser hijacker.
Please check out the manual removal steps below to get rid of Search.onesearch.org. Each browser requires a separate removal process, but none of that is too complicated. Yet, if you think that you may have more unwanted applications on-board (and you most probably do), your best bet would be deleting potentially harmful software automatically.
Finally, protect your PC by investing in a powerful antispyware application. Keep it on 24/7 and please refrain from downloading software from unfamiliar websites because that could be a straight road to your computer’s downfall. Take the matter of your computer’s security in your hands and be responsible for it.
How to Remove Search.onesearch.org
Internet Explorer
- Press Win+R and type regedit into the Open box.
- Click OK and go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main.
- Right-click Start Page on the right pane.
- Select Modify and replace your homepage.
- Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A}.
- Right-click the TopResultURL value on the right.
- Select Modify and replace the address with http://www.bing.com/search?q={searchTerms}.
- Click OK and right-click the URL value on the same key.
- Select Modify and replace the address with http://www.bing.com/search?q={searchTerms}.
- Click OK and exit Registry Editor.
Mozilla Firefox
- Press Win+R again and enter %AppData%. Click OK.
- Go to Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\[Mozilla User ID].
- Open the prefs.js file.
- Locate and delete the following line: user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://search.onesearch.org/");
- Close the file.
Google Chrome
- Press Win+R again and type in %AppData%.
- Press OK and navigate to Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default.
- Locate and delete the Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data files.
In non-techie terms:
Having a browser hijacker on your computer can be a nerve-wracking experience. At the same time, you need to remain calm to remove Search.onesearch.org and all the other associated applications for good. You can follow the instructions given in this description to get rid of the intruder, although the most efficient way to end a potential malware infection is to terminate it with a powerful antispyware tool. Do yourself a favor and choose what is best for you and your computer.