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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Bluesman1 on February 18, 2024, 07:27:18 PM

Title: https://www.search-boss.com/
Post by: Bluesman1 on February 18, 2024, 07:27:18 PM
Avast has not flagged an issue with my browser search defaulting to hxtps://www.search-boss.com/ on searching. I've blocked hxtps://www.search-boss.com/ in Avast but still Edge on Windows 11 defaults to it on search - sounds like Avast needs updating?
I've also installed all the latest Windows updates, uninstalled all recently installed apps, cleared my cookies etc, checked my search engine settings in Edge and still Edge defaults on search to hxtps://www.search-boss.com/ - any ideas?
Title: Re: https://www.search-boss.com/
Post by: New_Style_xd on February 18, 2024, 07:40:35 PM
If you are using Google Chrome, try resetting the settings to default
Title: Re: Avast has not flagged an issue with my browser search defaulting to https://
Post by: Bluesman1 on February 18, 2024, 07:49:54 PM
I'm using Edge but notice that Brave is also defaulting to search via hxtps://www.search-boss.com
Title: Re: https://www.search-boss.com/
Post by: New_Style_xd on February 18, 2024, 07:59:53 PM
See if this link solves your problem. from what I understand.
https://support.avast.com/pt-br/article/use-antivirus-real-site/#pc
Title: Re: https://www.search-boss.com/
Post by: New_Style_xd on February 18, 2024, 08:13:43 PM
There is a way to block this site here, as the attached image states.
Title: Re: https://www.search-boss.com/
Post by: Pondus on February 18, 2024, 08:32:00 PM
Quote from: New_Style_xd on February 18, 2024, 08:13:43 PM
There is a way to block this site here, as the attached image states.
Block does not remove the crap from his computer/browser

It seems @Bluesman1 is english? (He write good english) so posting link and screenshot in Portuges may not help ?


Title: Re: https://www.search-boss.com/
Post by: New_Style_xd on February 18, 2024, 08:36:00 PM
Quote from: Pondus on February 18, 2024, 08:32:00 PM
Quote from: New_Style_xd on February 18, 2024, 08:13:43 PM
There is a way to block this site here, as the attached image states.
Block does not remove the crap from his computer/browser

It seems @Bluesman1 is english? (He write good english) so posting link and screenshot in Portuges may not help ?

People post images for me in another language and I never complained.
1 - The UI is the same for everyone regardless of language.
2 - Be more polite to people, there is no need to speak rudely like you said
Title: Re: https://www.search-boss.com/
Post by: Pondus on February 18, 2024, 08:36:28 PM
@Bluesman1 if you want to try yourselfe, i would run scan with

Malwarebytes AdwCleaner
Malwarebytes Antimalware (install as free)

If you want free Expert help, then you get that in Malwarebytes forum
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/forum/7-windows-malware-removal-help-support/


Title: Re: https://www.search-boss.com/
Post by: Pondus on February 18, 2024, 08:37:31 PM
Quote
2 - Be more polite to people, there is no need to speak rudely like you said
What was rude?

Saying that someone may have problems understanding portuges is rude  ???


Title: Re: https://www.search-boss.com/
Post by: Bluesman1 on February 18, 2024, 08:43:06 PM
Thanks, I blocked the site via "Web Shield" and "Enable Site Blocking" last week but to no avail - I've therefore installed Malwarebytes as recommended at https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/search-boss-searchgoose/bebacefd-51d5-4268-b2aa-6753c56e98a3 and hope that will have fixed the issue.

But if Malwarebytes could find two files which were causing the issue, I'm left wondering why Avast couldn't find the same two files on its full scan?
Title: Re: https://www.search-boss.com/
Post by: Pondus on February 18, 2024, 08:52:31 PM
Quote
But if Malwarebytes could find two files which were causing the issue, I'm left wondering why Avast couldn't find the same two files on its full scan?
No security program have 100% detection
It seems what you have is a browser hijacker. This may have arrived in one of the program or browser extensions you have installed, a PUP (possible unwanted program) programs that come bundled with some extra crapware. avast PUP detection is default off (used to be when i used avast) so maybe it would detect it if on

Anyway PUP detection is one of Malwarebytes speciality
https://www.malwarebytes.com/cybersecurity/basics/what-is-pup



Title: Re: https://www.search-boss.com/
Post by: Leo3487 on February 19, 2024, 07:12:59 AM
Quote from: Bluesman1 on February 18, 2024, 08:43:06 PM
Thanks, I blocked the site via "Web Shield" and "Enable Site Blocking" last week but to no avail - I've therefore installed Malwarebytes as recommended at https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/search-boss-searchgoose/bebacefd-51d5-4268-b2aa-6753c56e98a3 and hope that will have fixed the issue.

But if Malwarebytes could find two files which were causing the issue, I'm left wondering why Avast couldn't find the same two files on its full scan?

You should pay better attention to installers of free programs
Im 99% sure, that change at default home page, was made by install of a program or game, that came with optional bundles (usually checkbox to install that option comes checked so you must uncheck it before click on continue)
Title: Re: https://www.search-boss.com/
Post by: mchain on February 19, 2024, 07:48:54 AM
One thing that could help prevent hijacking or PUPS here:  https://unchecky.com/ (https://unchecky.com/)

Other thing would be to always vet a potential download via Google or DuckDuckGo search engines.  See what others say about the program or extension you may want to run on your system first.

Always check things out before you download.   :)
Title: Re: https://www.search-boss.com/
Post by: mchain on February 19, 2024, 07:59:53 AM
Additional research here:

Click screenshot in urlscan.io 'Ask' is the search engine listed not -search-boss.com.  Deceptive.