Contents
CharmSearching.com is a rogue search engine promoted with a help of a variety of browser-hijacking programs. Once installed on Windows or Mac, the associated browser hijacker sets this fake domain as default home and new tab page and assigns it as default search engine. Unfortunately, it hardly provides any additional value to the user and simply forces Chrome to redirect users to Bing search results. The primary aim of this hijacker is to collect browsing-related information from infected computer and possibly initiate intermediate redirects to various ad networks to generate revenue.
According to reports, CharmSearching.com browser hijacker can hide in multiple browser extensions available online or even in Chrome Web Store. Although already removed, examples of such extensions used to be Volume Amplifier and Smart Auto Refresh.
The sole aim of such and similar extensions is to promote fake search engine and cause redirects to legitimate and well-known search engines. As a consequence, computer users start calling these as Bing redirect virus or Yahoo redirect virus. The aim of people behind such rogue browser add-ons is to sneak into computer systems and generate traffic to various domains by causing a series of intermediate hits before landing the user on a search results page.
In addition, such browser hijackers are capable of tracking user’s search queries, geolocation, browsing history, IP address and more. Applications like this might use collected data to serve targeted ads or share it with third-parties. Needless to say, if you do not want this to happen, you should avoid installation of potentially unwanted programs at all costs. If you are already infected, consider ways to eliminate them as soon as possible.
If you’d like to remove CharmSearching.com redirect virus from Chrome on Windows or Mac, please follow the free instructions provided at the end of this article. Alternatively, we recommend using RESTORO for virus damage removal on Windows. For Mac users, we highly recommend using INTEGO for automatic threat removal process.
Scan your system for FREE to detect security, hardware and stability issues. You can use the scan results and try to remove detected issues manually, or you can choose to get the full version of software to fix detected issues and repair virus damage to Windows OS system files automatically. Includes Avira spyware/malware detection & removal engine.
Name | CharmSearching.com redirect |
Type | Redirect virus; Browser hijacker; Bing search redirect |
Associated extensions | Volume Amplifier, Smart Auto Refresh. |
Serving IP address | 185.152.66.13, 185.152.66.29, 195.181.169.22, 204.187.101.132, 185.152.66.8 |
Detection names | Phishing (ESET); Malware (Fortinet); Malicious (CyRadar), see full list on VT |
Activity | Causes redirects to Bing search on Chrome whenever the user attempts to use URL bar for searching the web. Possibly triggers intermediate redirects. Collects browsing-related data. |
Distribution | Hides in deceptive and untrustworthy Chrome Web Store extensions, awaits in software bundles |
Removal | Remove CharmSearching.com redirect using instructions provided below. Use RESTORO to cleanse threat remains afterward. If you’re Mac user, consider using INTEGO antivirus. |
Browser hijackers like Charmsearching.com redirect virus typically spread in software bundles, in other words, freeware that contains hidden attachments. When you download a free program from online source or via download agent, its installer might suggest installing partner programs in an unnoticeable way. Usually, such suggestions are hidden in ‘Custom’ or ‘Advanced’ installation options and have to be deselected manually. Some examples of fake search engines being promoted in this way are PDFConverterSearch, Search Baron, TheConverterSearch, SearchLee.com and others.
Unfortunately, you might install this unwanted browser hijacker when looking for a specific extension on Google Chrome store. Some users have reported installing this annoyance and started experiencing Charmsearching.com redirects to Bing after adding Volume Amplifier or Smart Auto Refresh extensions. Although both extensions are removed from the store already, this alarms about possibility to install such unwanted tools from official extension store.
For this reason, we strongly recommend reading reviews about the extension you want to install before doing so. If you notice a strange extension that is relatively new, its developer is unknown and it has no reviews – you might want to opt for a more well-known option.
If you want to stop annoying redirects to Bing, you should remove CharmSearching.com redirect virus immediately. For that, we recommend following the instructions provided below. Remember to look for recently installed browser extensions and unrecognized programs on your computer system and eliminate them. To finalize the removal on Windows, consider using RESTORO or INTEGO on Mac.
Once Charmsearching.com removal is complete, you can continue your web browsing activities without any worries. In the future, we recommend being more careful and avoid installing untrustworthy apps/browser extensions.
OUR GEEKS RECOMMEND
Our team recommends a two-step rescue plan to remove ransomware and other remaining malware from your computer, plus repair caused virus damage to the system:
GeeksAdvice.com editors select recommended products based on their effectiveness. We may earn a commission from affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
Charmsearching.com redirect Removal Tutorial
To remove the unwanted program from your computer, use these instructions below to uninstall associated programs or apps from your Windows or Mac computer. Then scroll down for instructions how to clean each affected web browser individually.
Windows 10/8.1/8 users
Click on the Windows logo to open Windows menu. In search, type control panel and select the matching result. Then go to Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users
First, open Windows menu by clicking on the icon in the lower left corner of the screen. Then go to Control Panel and find section called Programs. Click on the Uninstall a program option under it.
Windows XP users
In Windows XP, click Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs.
Uninstall unwanted programs
Once in Programs and Features, look through the list of installed programs. You can click on Installed on tab to sort the programs by their installation date.
Right-click on suspicious programs you can't remember installing and choose Uninstall. Follow instructions provided by the Uninstall Wizard, click Next and finally Finish to uninstall the unwanted program from your PC.
Remove Charmsearching.com redirect from Mac
Remove using INTEGO ANTIVIRUS for Mac (includes scanning for iOS devices). The one-of-a-kind security suite provides VirusBarrier X9 real-time protection against Mac and Windows-based malware, removes existing threats and scans for malware in popular e-mail clients. Includes NetBarrier X9, an intelligent firewall for home, work and public connections.
Remove Charmsearching.com redirect from Google Chrome
Remove suspicious Chrome extensions
Change Start Page settings
Change default search settings
Remove push notifications from Chrome
If you want to get rid of the annoying ads and so-called push-notifications viruses, you must identify their components and clean your browser. You can easily remove ads from Chrome by following these steps:
Reset Google Chrome browser
Remove Charmsearching.com redirect from Mozilla Firefox
Remove unwanted add-ons from Firefox
Change Firefox Homepage
Alter preferences in Firefox
Remove annoying push notifications from Firefox
Suspicious sites that ask to enable push notifications gain access to Mozilla's settings and can deliver intrusive advertisements when browsing the Internet. Therefore, you should remove access to your browser by following these simple steps:
Reset Mozilla Firefox
Remove Charmsearching.com redirect from Microsoft Edge
Remove suspicious extensions:
Change MS Edge Start Page and default search engine:
Turn off push notifications in Edge
If you keep receiving pop-up ads or other promotional content while browsing on Microsoft Edge, your browser might be corrupted by a potentially unwanted program (PUP). You have to clean it — follow these easy instructions:
Clear browsing data
Remove Charmsearching.com redirect from Safari
Uninstall suspicious Safari extensions
Change Safari Homepage and default search engine
Remove push notifications on Safari
Some suspicious websites can try to corrupt your Safari by asking to enable push notifications. If you have accidentally agreed, your browser will be flooded with various intrusive advertisements and pop-ups. You can get rid of them by following this quick guide:
Reset Safari
Remove Charmsearching.com redirect from Internet Explorer
TIP: If you are still using IE, we strongly advise using Microsoft Edge or a different browser because Microsoft is no longer providing technical or security support for IE browser.
Remove suspicious extensions from IE
Change default search provider and remove suspicious ones
Change IE Home Page
Block pop-up notifications on Internet Explorer
Suspicious websites can gain access to your Internet Explorer browser through push notifications. If you enable them even by accident, you will start receiving numerous annoying ads and other advertising content while browsing. The easiest way to remove push-notification viruses is by performing the following steps:
Reset Internet Explorer
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Removing spyware and malware is one step towards cybersecurity. To protect yourself against ever-evolving threats, we strongly recommend purchasing a Premium version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which provides security based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. Includes ransomware protection. See pricing options and protect yourself now.
System Mechanic Ultimate Defense
If you're looking for an all-in-one system maintenance suite that has 7 core components providing powerful real-time protection, on-demand malware removal, system optimization, data recovery, password manager, online privacy protection and secure driver wiping technology. Therefore, due to its wide-range of capabilities, System Mechanic Ultimate Defense deserves Geek's Advice approval. Get it now for 50% off. You may also be interested in its full review.
Disclaimer. This site includes affiliate links. We may earn a small commission by recommending certain products, at no additional cost for you. We only choose quality software and services to recommend.
Scott Bolton is a senior content strategist in our Geek’s Advice team. He is exceptionally passionate about covering the latest information technology themes and inspire other team members to follow new innovations. Despite the fact that Scott is an old-timer among the Geeks, he still enjoys writing comprehensive articles about exciting cybersecurity news or quick tutorials.
Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN maintains its long-term role as a leader Private Internet Access…
XCBG ransomware aims to lock your files and demand a ransom XCBG ransomware is a…
BPQD ransomware encrypts all computer files, demands a ransom from the user BPQD ransomware is…
KQGS ransomware is a hostile computer virus designed to encrypt all of your files KQGS…
VTYM ransomware description: a virtual menace to your files stored on the computer VTYM ransomware…
FOPA ransomware is a new threatening computer virus that encrypts your files FOPA ransomware virus…
This website uses cookies.