Optimum Search

Optimum Search is a browser hijacker that may take over the web browser’s control after the installation of freeware

Optimum Search is an unwanted search engine that settles down on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and others without asking for the user’s permission. Upon infiltration, it changes a default start page to search.optimum.icu, search provider to Yahoo^[1] and installs two types of tracking cookies. These traits allow classifying Optimum Search as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and browser hijacker. 

In most cases, it is distributed in the form of a plug-in or searchoptimum extension appended to freeware downloads available on torrent sharing websites or third-party download sites infamous for software bundling. Optimum Search may be disguised under the Quick installation option and pre-checked by default. In this way, freeware users end up installing this hijacker without realizing it. 

At the initial inspection, the Optimum Search virus does not deviate much from the other hijackers that promote the sponsored Yahoo search engine. It features a simple search bar and Privacy Policy terms at the bottom of the page.

Although developers claim that the search is going to “detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security, or technical issues,” the Optimum Search browser hijacker can hardly improve the web browser’s performance or, even more, ensure security. In contrast, once installed it drops an extension that is set to display sponsored search results and third-party advertisements. One of its main purposes is to collect clicks and monetize traffic^[2] to shady third-party websites. 

When using the services provided by Optimum Search malware people have to be cautious when clicking on any links and shortcuts. PUPs are usually filled with a database of third party advertisers, who may not only seek to promote their websites but also spread other questionable programs. The biggest risk of malware infection is to click on ads offering an online virus scan service or software updates. 

The most annoying feature of the search.optimum.icu virus is redirecting to predetermined websites. No matter which website the user wants to visit, the hijacker automatically redirects to a sponsored Yahoo search results. Besides, before showing the targeted website, the malware may display a new tab window or full-page advertisement that covers the content and prevents the user from web browsing normally. 

Nevertheless, Optimum Search removal is recommended to protect one’s privacy. As stated in the Privacy Policy of this search, it drops two types of tracking cookies and continuously monitor non-personally identifiable information about its users. The gathered information, as pointed out, can further be transmitted to affiliated parties:

We may disclose or share this information with third parties as specified below and solely if applicable. We collect the following Non-Personal Information from you when you access or use the Services: the type of browser you are using as well as operating system, your time zone, the date and time you access the Service, screen resolution, browser and operating system language, default search, country, etc. […]

The second type of information is individually identifiable information, namely information that identifies an individual or entity or may with reasonable effort identify an individual (” Personal Information”).

The information about the user’s browsing habits subsequently allows advertisers to prepare individual ads. To prevent such and similar activities on the web, people should remove Optimum Search from Chrome or another web browser with a delay.

Cybersecurity researchers from dieviren.de^[3] claim that this malware may be closely related to Optimum Search Chromium web browser. It’s an open-source web project, which is often misused by malware developers and distributed along with Optimum Search extension and similar PUPs. Therefore, if you noticed that Chrome does not look like an ordinary Chrome, double-check if the OptimumSearch virus did not change your default browser to a bogus version of Chromium^[4].  

Optimum Search virus may display altered search results, generate hyperlinks, and ads exposing users to doubtful websites

Optimum Search virus may display altered search results, generate hyperlinks, and ads exposing users to doubtful websites

Optimum Search removal is not a difficult task to perform if the main installer appears in the Programs and Features list properly. In many cases, PUPs like this disguise under different names to make them difficult to detect. Therefore, if you cannot find the related malware, we recommend using a professional anti-malware tool to perform Optimum Search remove completely. If you need a detailed guide explaining all possible elimination procedures, scroll down to the end of this post. 

Browser hijackers disguise under Quick installation option of freeware

Shady marketing techniques are implemented with the help of adware and browser hijackers, which unitedly are called potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). Even though it is possible to download such programs from Google Store, Play Store, and other legitimate sources, the bulk of PUPs find their users on torrent sharing websites or third-party download websites, such as Cnet or Download. 

Since PUPs are not built on the base of malicious codes, they cannot inject the extension without the user’s permission. That’s why they typically spread as pre-selected additional components. When the user selects Quick installation and simply hits the Next button, he or she inadvertently gives permission to install the whole bundle. 

To prevent this from happening, Advanced or Custom installation setups can be helpful. These options extract the bundle into separate setup windows and allow the potential user to remove checkmarks standing as an agreement next to additional apps.
Optimum Search New Tab may display sponsored Yahoo search results filled with ads and doubtful links

Optimum Search New Tab may display sponsored Yahoo search results filled with ads and doubtful links

Automatic and manual Optimum Search removal options

The presence of the OptimumSearch virus of the system can be related to a web browser’s extension, add-on, or plug-in. Besides, a recently installed freeware may be programmed to enable the extension on the web browser reopening the browser. It means that the removal of search.optimum.icu virus from Chrome or another browser will not solve the problem. 

To remove Optimum Search completely, it’s a must to get rid of the related freeware. The problem is that it may be difficult to find out which application changed the web browser’s settings. Although the developer of this dubious search claim that the OptimumSetup is the main installer that has to be deleted, there is evidence that programs like PDF converters or download managers can also be related. 

You can try to remove Optimum Search from the system manually with the help of instructions positioned below. Carefully follow each step and you should successfully get rid of this malware. If, however, it returns each time you reload a web browser, it’s a clear sign that malware has not been removed completely. In this case, we recommend using a professional anti-malware utility, such as Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner.

You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.

Get rid of Optimum Search from Windows systems

Optimum Search extension targets web browsers installed on Windows OS. Upon installation, it keeps redirecting users to questionable websites and harvesting browsing history. To get rid of this dubious search, find and remove OptimumSetup, Optimum Search, and Chromium entries from the system. Please follow these steps to learn how to do that:

1. Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs). Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
2. Uninstall Optimum Search and related programs
   Here, look for Optimum Search or any other recently installed suspicious programs.
3. Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
4. Remove Optimum Search from Windows shortcuts
   Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties.
5. Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus.

Repeat steps that are given above with all browsers’ shortcuts, including Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Make sure you check all locations of these shortcuts, including Desktop, Start Menu and taskbar.

Erase Optimum Search from Mac OS X system

1. If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
2. Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Optimum Search or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.

Eliminate Optimum Search from Internet Explorer (IE)

If a suspiciousOptimumSearch extension has been installed on IE and you are struggling with its removal, follow this guide to eliminate it completely:

1. Remove dangerous add-ons
   Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons.
2. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Optimum Search and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
3. Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
   Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab.
4. Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
5. Reset Internet Explorer
   Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab.
6. Here, select Reset.
7. When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Optimum Search removal.

Delete Optimum Search from Microsoft Edge

Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):

1. Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
2. Click Settings to open more options.
3. Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
4. Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
5. Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
6. When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
7. Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
8. When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.

Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):

If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.

1. Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
2. Find this folder on your computer: C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
3. Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
4. Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
5. Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
6. Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
   

   Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}

   

Once these steps are finished, Optimum Search should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.

Remove Optimum Search from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

1. Remove dangerous extensions
   Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions.
2. Here, select Optimum Search and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
3. Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
   Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General.
4. Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
5. Click OK to save these changes.
6. Reset Mozilla Firefox
   Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information.
7. Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Optimum Search removal.

Uninstall Optimum Search from Google Chrome

Please note that Optimum Search virus may replace Google with a rogue version of Chromium. In this case, you have to delete Chromium from Programs list in the first place, and then disable optimumsearch extension from Chrome. 

1. Delete malicious plugins
   Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions.
2. Here, select Optimum Search and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
3. Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
   Click on menu icon and choose Settings.
4. Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages.
5. Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
6. Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
7. When in Search Engines…, remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
8. Reset Google Chrome
   Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings.
9. Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
10. Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Optimum Search removal.

Get rid of Optimum Search from Safari

1. Remove dangerous extensions
   Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences.
2. Here, select Extensions and look for Optimum Search or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
3. Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
   Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General.
4. Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by Optimum Search, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the “http://” before typing in the address of the page.
5. Reset Safari
   Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari….
6. Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Optimum Search removal process.