Conf Search is a browser hijacker. Conf Search browser hijacker alters the new tab, search engine and homepage of the Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Edge web browser to conf-search.com.

Conf Search is usually recommended on the internet as a helpful new tab or homepage. However, in reality, Conf Search is a browser hijacker that collects all kinds of browsing data from your browser settings.

Conf-search.com

The web browsing data collected by the Conf Search adware is used for advertising purposes. The browsing data is sold to advertising networks. Because Conf Search gathers browsing data from your browser, Conf Search is also classified as (PUP) Potentially Unwanted Program.

Conf Search browser extension will install itself in the Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Edge browser. No major browser developer yet notices this browser hijacker as dangerous.

Remove the Conf Search extension as soon as possible using this Conf Search removal instruction.

Remove Conf Search

Choose your web browser

Google chrome

Open Google Chrome and type chrome://extensions in the Chrome address bar.

google chrome extensions

Scroll through all installed Chrome extensions and find the “Conf Search” extension.

Conf Search extension removal

When you have found the Conf Search browser extension, click on Remove.

If the extension is managed by your organization, download chrome policy remover.
Unzip the file, right-click the .bat, and run as administrator.

Instructions for Mac OS X at the end of this instruction.

remove chrome policy

If you still have problems with the Google Chrome web browser consider a full reset of the Chrome web browser.

In the Google Chrome address bar type, or copy and paste: chrome://settings/resetProfileSettings

Click the Reset Settings button to fully reset Google Chrome to the default settings. When you are done restart the Chrome browser.

reset Google Chrome

Continue to the next step, remove malware from your computer with Malwarebytes.

Firefox

Open Firefox and type about:addons in the Firefox address bar, press ENTER on your keyboard.

firefox addons removal

Find the “Conf Search” browser extension and click the three dots on the right of the Conf Search extension.

Click on Remove from the menu to remove Conf Search from the Firefox browser.

If you still have problems with the Firefox web browser consider a full reset of the Firefox web browser.

In the Firefox address bar type, or copy and paste: about:support
Click the Refresh Firefox button to fully reset Firefox to the default settings. When you are done restart the Firefox browser.

reset firefox browser

Continue to the next step, remove malware from your computer with Malwarebytes.

Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge. In the address bar type: edge://extensions/

remove microsoft edge extension

Find the “Conf Search” extension and click on Remove.

If you still have problems with the Microsoft Edge web browser, consider a full reset.

In the Microsoft Edge address bar type, or copy and paste: edge://settings/resetProfileSettings
Click the Refresh button to fully reset Edge to the default settings. When you are done restart the Microsoft Edge browser.

reset microsoft edge

Continue to the next step, remove malware from your computer with Malwarebytes.

Safari

Open Safari. In the left top corner click on the Safari menu.

In the Safari menu click on Preferences. Click on the Extensions tab.

Click on the Conf Search extension you would like to remove then click on Uninstall.

Next, remove malware with Malwarebytes for Mac.

Read more: Remove Mac malware with Anti-malware or Remove mac malware manually.

Remove Conf Search with Malwarebytes

Make sure to completely clean your computer from adware with Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes is an essential tool in the fight against malware. Malwarebytes is able to remove many types of malware that other software does often miss, Malwarebytes is costing you absolutely nothing. When it comes to cleaning up an infected computer, Malwarebytes has always been free and I recommend it as an essential tool in the battle against malware.

Download Malwarebytes

Install Malwarebytes, follow on-screen instructions. Click Scan to start a malware-scan.

Remove Conf Search with Malwarebytes

Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to finish. Once completed, review the Conf Search adware detections.

Click Quarantine to continue.

Conf Search removal with Malwarebytes

Reboot Windows after all the adware detections are moved to quarantine.

Reboot Windows - Malwarebytes

Continue to the next step to remove unwanted programs and malware

Remove malware with Sophos HitmanPRO

In this malware removal step, we will start a second scan to make sure there are no malware remnants left on your computer. HitmanPRO is a cloud scanner that scans every active file for malicious activity on your computer and sends it to the Sophos cloud for detection. In the Sophos cloud both Bitdefender antivirus and Kaspersky antivirus scan the file for malicious activities.

Download HitmanPRO

When you have downloaded HitmanPRO install the HitmanPro 32-bit or HitmanPRO x64. Downloads are saved to the Downloads folder on your computer.

Open HitmanPRO to start installation and scan.

install hitmanpro

Accept the Sophos HitmanPRO license agreement to continue. Read the license agreement, check the box, and click on Next.

hitmanpro license

Click the Next button to continue Sophos HitmanPRO installation. Make sure to create a copy of HitmanPRO for regular scans.

hitmanpro installation scan settings

HitmanPRO begins with a scan, wait for the antivirus scan results.

Hitmanpro classifying scan

When the scan is done, click Next and activate the free HitmanPRO license. Click on Activate Free license.

hitmanpro activate free license

Enter your e-mail for a Sophos HitmanPRO free thirty days license. Click on Activate.

hitmanpro free license email

The free HitmanPRO license is successfully activated.

hitmanpro license activated

You’ll be presented with the malware removal results, click Next to continue.

hitmanpro malware removal results

Malicious software was partially removed from your computer. Restart your computer to complete removal.

hitmanpro reboot computer

Bookmark this page before you reboot your computer.

If you need help, you can ask for my help using the comments below.

Categorized in:

Adware removal instructions,

Last Update: April 9, 2023