Do you know what istsearch.com is?
If you have lately installed a Flash update and suddenly your default homepage changed to istsearch.com, it is nothing surprising. You have been infected with a browser hijacker that travels bundled with freeware and adware applications. Istsearch.com may also be known as Spellso, according to the title that appears on its main search window. Users are strongly recommended to remove istsearch.com from their computers because browser hijackers are intrusive applications that could cause various computer security problems. You may also need to scan your computer for other potential threats.
Our research team says that istsearch.com gets installed on target computers silently. It means that it does not notify users about the oncoming browser modifications. Nevertheless, users still initiate the browser hijacker installation themselves. Although there is no direct download link for istsearch.com, the installer file often comes bundled with fake media player updates, Java and Adobe Flash upgrades that users encounter and download at third-party websites. Therefore, you have to employ safe web browsing habits if you want to avoid similar infections.
istsearch.com screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
It does not matter which browser is your default one – istsearch.com is compatible with Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome web browsers, so if it enters the system your browser will be affected no matter what. The next time you open your browser istsearch.com will be set as your default homepage.
Technically, this search engine is supposed to help you improve your web browsing experience. The application is ad-supported, so istsearch.com may also collect data on what websites you visit, so that later on it could generate customized commercial advertisements. The About Us page stress that IST Search focuses on monetization apps, so it means that the main reason istsearch.com enters your computer is money.
Browser hijackers do not steal your money directly. They usually redirect users to affiliate websites that make money via pay-per-click system. In other words, you help adware developers make money by boosting their website traffic. The problem is that sometimes istsearch.com could get exploited by dangerous third parties, and, as a result, it could redirect users to malicious websites that distribute malware.
Remove istsearch.com right now and then run a full system scan with legitimate antispyware tool. Since this hijacker often arrives with other freeware, you probably have more unwanted applications in your system. After manual removal, reset your browser settings to default and acquire a powerful computer security application that would protect your system from similar infections in the future. Also, for any further questions, do not hesitate to leave us a comment.
How to remove istsearch.com
Windows 8
- Slide mouse cursor to the bottom right of the screen.
- Click Settings on Charm bar and go to Control panel.
- Access Uninstall a program and remove ISTsearch.
Windows Vista & Windows 7
- Open Start menu and click Control panel.
- Go to Uninstall a program and remove ISTsearch.
Windows XP
- Open Start menu and navigate to Control Panel.
- Select Add or remove programs and uninstall ISTsearch.
Reset browser settings to default
Internet Explorer
- Press Alt+T and go to Internet options.
- Open Advanced tab and click Reset.
- Mark Delete personal settings and press Reset.
- Click Close.
Mozilla Firefox
- Press Alt+H and go to Troubleshooting information.
- Click Reset Firefox at the top right of a new tab.
- Press Reset Firefox on a confirmation box.
- Click Finish.
Google Chrome
- Press Alt+F and go to Settings.
- Scroll down to the bottom and click Show Advanced settings.
- Scroll down and click Reset browser settings button.
- Press Reset on a pop-up confirmation box.
In non-techie terms:
Istsearch.com is a potential computer security threat that you cannot tolerate. You have to terminate this browser hijacker immediately and then scan your PC for other potential infections. You can also refer to the secondary set of instructions below this description for alternative malware removal method.