If you are worried about hohosearch.com becoming the default search engine oF your web browsers, you are not alone. Every now and then, PC users complain that unfamiliar search engines are overtaking their browsers. Hohosearch happens to be the latest one.
About Hohosearch.com
Hohosearch.com is a fake search site that claims to enhance users’ web browsing experience by showing better search results than popular search engines. The truth is, this search engine is a browser hijacker that gathers users’ information and monitors their browsing habits to display ads on browsers. This adware’s mission is to redirect users to hohosearch.com, where they will see a lot of advertisements, sponsored links, and poor results on the hohosearch.com results page.
Although showing many irrelevant ads on a search results page (SERP) worsens a user’s browsing experience, a horrible experience is not the only reason to eliminate browser redirects to hohosearch.com.
How Did Hohosearch.com Install on My Computer?
Browser hijackers like the Hohosearch adware are often installed as extra components of a software bundle downloaded from unofficial sources (e.g., torrent clients.) Developers hide these additional components in the installation process, so unsuspecting users would automatically install them if they fail to reject them.
What Does Hohosearch.com Virus Do?
Hohosearch.com infiltrates your web browsers, changing the homepage and default search engine, as well as make entries in your PC’s registry.
Browser setting changes will disrupt your browsing experience. A simple query entered into the search field of your web browser will lead to various redirects to shady websites, misleading ads, and unpromising search results.
Hohosearch.com replaces relevant and organic search results with sponsored links that lead to various third-party sites. These websites can infect your PC, exposing you to more dangerous viruses.
This browser hijacker might collect and share your browsing data, device characteristics, IP address, for better ad targeting.
How to Remove Hohosearch.com Redirects
Stopping the unnecessary redirects to unreliable sites is the first step in a much broader campaign of eliminating hohosearch.com from your device. To avoid hohosearch.com redirects, follow the instructions below in the exact order provided.
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Reboot your device in Safe Mode with networking and uninstall suspicious programs.
To limit the effects of the hohosearch adware, we recommend carrying out this fix in Windows Safe Mode with Networking. Here is how you can reboot into Safe Mode on Windows 10/11, 8, and 8.1 :
- While pressing the SHIFT key, click the power icon on Windows and select Restart.
- Windows will show an options menu, and you must follow the path below:
Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings> Restart - Select Safe Mode with Networking by pressing five or the F5 key on your keyboard.
Windows will now boot in safe mode with networking. - Press the Windows key + X key to open the quick access menu.
- Click Programs and Features.
- Double-click on suspicious recently installed programs to uninstall them.
Here is how to do that in Windows 7:
- Press and hold the F8 key when rebooting your computer. You may have to spam (tap it continuously) the F8 key if holding it down does not work the first time.
- You will enter the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select to boot in Safe Mode with Networking using the arrow keys and press the Enter key.
- Once your computer has restarted in safe mode, open the start menu, and click on Control Panel.
- Click on Uninstall a program (under Program and Features.)
- Double-click on suspicious recently installed programs to uninstall them.
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Scan your device using a powerful anti-malware program.
Now, you need to eliminate hohosearch.com by running an anti-malware software capable of detecting and removing adware and browser hijackers. We recommend using Auslogics Anti-Malware. This anti-malware software provides top-notch protection against malware and data safety threats. Auslogics Anti-Malware performs the following vital functions:
- Checks system memory for malicious programs (including programs supporting the hohosearch.com malware.)
- Detects browser extensions that track your activity and collect your data.
- Checks system and temporary folders for security issues.
To use, download and install this program by visiting the link above. Perform a deep scan once you have installed the application.
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Reset your web browsers to their default settings.
Resetting your browser will undo and remove any changes made by the hohosearch virus to your web browsers. This procedure will also wipe personal data, including saved passwords, history, cookies, bookmarks, and other personal settings.
Here is how to do this on Google chrome web browser:
- Access the Chrome settings page by clicking the three dots at the top right end of the browser.
- Click on Advanced and then Reset and clean up.
- Click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset settings button.
Other popular web browsers like Firefox, Opera, and Safari should have similar procedures.
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Delete malicious registry entries.
To uninstall and remove traces of this adware altogether, you must uncover and remove malicious files in the registry.
TIP: This is a risky step to carry out manually as you may end up deleting essential registry entries. You can perform this fix more effectively and safely by using the Auslogics Registry Cleaner. This Registry cleaner software will automatically remove malicious entries in your system’s registry.
Restart your device after you have gone through all the steps we provided. Hopefully, the Hohosearch.com virus will not trouble you anymore.
Prevent the Installation of Adware Like Hohosearch.com
We advise that you always select the advanced installation option on the first steps of the software installation wizard. The advanced option will show you extra components that could be installed automatically. Untick or reject these components.
You must always keep your anti-malware program updated as well to detect threats from new types of malware.
Adware like hohosearch.com is generally not as harmful as Trojans and other viruses, but you must not tolerate them. Using a powerful anti-malware program is always an effective measure in detecting and removing adware before they infiltrate your device.