Discretesearch.com is a would-be privacy search engine that’s suspected of being a browser hijacker. The search engine is owned by the Cyprus-based firm AdBistro. DiscreteSearch.com claims to be a safe search engine, but despite that the site remains shady.
| Name |
DiscreteSearch.Com |
| Main Domain Address |
discretesearch.com |
| Solution #1 |
Fast and easy removal of DiscreteSearch.Com |
|
Solution #2 |
You can remove the browser hijacker by hand by carefully following all the guidelines of our step-by-step guide below. |
| Distribution |
PUPs, malicious ads, bundle packs. |
DiscreteSearch.Com Browser Hijacker – How Did It Get Into Your Computer
DiscreteSearch.com can be attached to browser extensions and PUPs (potentially unwanted programs. Since this search engine can’t compete with other search engine giants like Google and Bing, the site can only rely on shady tactics to spread.
The trick is to fool people into installing the software that will attach DiscreteSearch.Com to your browser. This is done by hiding the search engine inside another software without disclosing its presence properly. That’s why most people don’t even know how the search engine got into their system.
The trick is pretty old and the chances are that more developers are going to use it. That’s because “free” software is on the rise and PUPs are good for easy moneymaking (more on that later.)
Discretesearch.com Browser Hijacker – What Does It Do?
The search engine stands out from the usual hijackers due to its privacy policy. The document claims that the site actually doesn’t collect any personal data:
Still, that doesn’t make Discretesearch.com a good site. The search engine still displays a lot of ads. Don’t forget that DS.com is connected to AdBistro which is an advertising company, as the name suggest. Advertisers usually develop these hijackers to collect personal data and display their ads. It seems like AdBistro skipped the first step.
How To Remove DiscreteSearch.Com Browser Hijacker and Prevent It In The Future
The hijacker can be removed quickly with an anti-malware program. As we said before, the increasing popularity of “free” software will make this problem more prevalent.
How to Remove DiscreteSearch.Com?
For a faster solution, you can run a scan with an advanced malware removal tool and delete DiscreteSearch.Com completely with a few mouse clicks.
STEP I: Start the PC in Safe Mode with Network
This will isolate all files and objects created by the browser hijacker so they will be removed efficiently.
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1) Hit WIN Key + R
- 2) A Run window will appear. In it, write “msconfig” and then press Enter
3) A Configuration box shall appear. In it Choose the tab named “Boot”
4) Mark “Safe Boot” option and then go to “Network” under it to tick it too
5) Apply -> OK
Or check our video guide – “How to start PC in Safe Mode with Networking”
STEP II: Remove DiscreteSearch.Com from Windows
Here’s a way to remove the program. This method will work regardless if you’re on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP. Simply selecting the program and pressing delete won’t work, as it’ll leave a lot of small files. That’s bad because these leftovers can linger on and cause all sorts of problems. The best way to delete a program is to uninstall it. Here’s how you can do that:
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1) Hold the “Windows” button (It’s between CTRL and Alt on most keyboards) and press “R”. You’ll see a pop-up window.
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2) In the textbox, type “appwiz.cpl”, then press“ Enter ”.
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3) The “Programs and features” menu should now appear. It’s a list of all the programs installed on the PC. Here you can find the malicious program, select it, and press “Uninstall“.
STEP III: Remove DiscreteSearch.Com From Your Browser
Before resetting your browser’s settings, you should know that this action will wipe out all your recorded usernames, passwords, and other types of data. Make sure to save them in some way.
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1) Start Mozilla Firefox. In the upper right corner, click on the Open menu icon and select “Add-ons“.
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2) Inside the Add-ons Manager select “Extensions“. Search the list of extensions for suspicious entries. If you find any, select them and click “Remove“.
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3) Click again on the Open menu icon, then click “Options“.
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4) In the Options window, under “General” tab, click “Restore to Default“.
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5) Select “Search” in the left menu, mark the unknown search engine and press “Remove”.
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1) Start Google Chrome. On the upper-right corner, there a “Customize and Control” menu icon. Click on it, then click on “Settings“.
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2) Click “Extensions” in the left menu. Then click on the trash bin icon to remove the suspicious extension.
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3) Again in the left menu, under Chrome, Click on “Settings“. Go under “On Startup” and set a new page.
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4) Afterward, scroll down to “Search“, click on “Manage search engines“.
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5) In the default search settings list, find the unknown search engine and click on “X“. Then select your search engine of choice and click “Make default“. When you are ready click “Done” button in the right bottom corner.
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1) Start Internet Explorer. Go to the “Tools” menu and click on “Manage add-ons“.
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2) In the “Manage add-ons” window, below “Add-on Types“, select “Toolbars and Extensions“. If you see a suspicious toolbar, select it and click “Remove“.
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3) Then again in the “Manage Add-ons” window, in “Add-on Types“, Select “Search Providers“. Chose a search engine and click “Set as default“. Select the unknown search engine and click “Remove and Close”.
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4) Open the Tools menu, select “Internet Options”.
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5) In the “General” tab, in “Home page”, enter your preferred page. Click “Apply” and “OK”.
STEP IV: Remove Completely DiscreteSearch.Com Browser Hijacker Using SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
SpyHunter anti-malware tool will diagnose all current threats on the computer. By purchasing the full version, you will be able to remove all malware threats instantly. Additional information about SpyHunter / Help to uninstall SpyHunter
STEP V: Repair Windows Registry
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1) Again type simultaneously the Windows Button + R key combination
2) In the box, write “regedit”(without the inverted commas) and hit Enter
3) Type the CTRL+F and then write the malicious name in the search type field to locate the malicious executable
4) In case you have discovered registry keys and values related to the name, you should delete them, but be careful not to delete legitimate keys
Further help for Windows Registry repair
STEP VI: Preventive Security Measures
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1) Enable and properly configure your Firewall.
2) Install and maintain reliable anti-malware software.
3) Secure your web browser.
4) Check regularly for available software updates and apply them.
5) Disable macros in Office documents.
6) Use strong passwords.
7) Don’t open attachments or click on links unless you’re certain they’re safe.
8) Backup regularly your data.
