Y2search – What is it?

“Y2search” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is spread as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically shared as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to search some precise information, for instance, about sport events, make your browser far more safe, enable downloading of any web video, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nonetheless, the “Y2search” plugin is quite ineffective because all such features are already built-in to your web browser and/or Windows. Such marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. However often even experienced users are getting caught on such an attraction. In certain instances, this hijacker is spread together with free apps.

Y2search Search Hijacker

How harmful is Y2search hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, Y2search hijacker is also quite harmful for web browser utilization. It alters your search engine to its specific – Y2search.com, and likewise modifies your background, adding its watermark on your background image (or, in some cases, altering it to default with the specified symptom).

Aside from seeable transformations done by Y2search hijacker, you may discover that many of your search inquiries are redirecting to the unknown sites, full of web links and promotions – so-called doorway sites. Such websites can include web links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting rises if you try to launch Google search page forcibly.

But all these activities are much more bothersome than really dangerous. The major danger, primarily for people who have a great deal of secret information in their browsers, is installed in data collecting capabilities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited sites, as well as other activities are easily collected by Y2search hijacker.

How to remove Y2search search hijacker?

• Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
• Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
• “Move to quarantine” all items.
• Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
• Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
• Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are generally very easy to deal with. For the most part, they have an independent app that can be located in the list of installed programs. Because of the certain distribution tactic of Y2search hijacker, it can be quickly tracked and removed manually. However, if you got Y2search in the package with a free program, your system can be infected with much more major malware – trojans, spyware or even ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you make use of anti-malware tools to remove the Y2search PUA and all various other malware.

You can use Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of discovering and clearing away different malware, including mentioned hijacker. But serious malware, that might exist on your personal computer in the mentioned situation, can disable the Windows antimalware tool by editing the Group Policies. To stay clear of such situations, it is better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and delete all unwanted applications on your desktop with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the viruses, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and folders.

You can spectate the detected viruses sorted by their possible harm simultaneously with the scan process. But to perform any actions against malicious programs, you need to hold on until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

To set the action for every spotted virus or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malware. By default, all the viruses will be moved to quarantine.

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you need to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be counteracted by any virus, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be located in the Tools tab.

After pressing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be shown, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing Y2search hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :

After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

References

1. More information about PUAs
2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender