Search.searchlwradar.com virus (Tutorial) - Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge

Search.searchlwradar.com virus Removal Guide

What is Search.searchlwradar.com virus?

Search.searchlwradar.com – a threat to popular web browsers

The image of Search.searchlwradar.com virusIf you see this screen, your browser has been hijacked by a PUP

Search.searchlwradar.com is a bogus search engine created by Polarity Technologies Ltd. Cybersecurity specialists classified this application as a browser hijacker[1] due to its negative feature to take over the attacked web browser. After the hijack, it alters browsers' settings and shortcuts.

As a result, users find their default browser and search engine changed to search.searchlwradar.com and cannot get rid of it quickly. Once it takes complete control over the browser, the hijacker might start collecting information about users and deliver commercial content in the form of search results and ads.

Nevertheless, this search tool generates search results from Yahoo; it is still suspected of modifying search results and replacing organic links with sponsored ones. In this way, developers get advertising-based revenue by driving traffic to affiliates’ websites.

Obviously, it’s one of the reasons why you should remove Search.searchlwradar.com from the device immediately. Not only this search engine might trick you into visiting unrelated sites, but it also redirects you to potentially dangerous online places. We're going to walk you through the removal process.

name Search.searchlwradar.com
Type Redirect virus, potentially unwanted program, browser hijacker
Symptoms Altered browser settings (homepage, default search engine, new tab); search results filled with ads; redirects to questionable sites; diminished device performance; slower internet connection
Risks Exposure to affiliated sites might cause privacy issues, financial losses, infections with other PUPs, or even malware
Distribution Fake Flash Player updates, deceptive ads, software bundling
Elimination The quickest way to remove any threat from your infected device is by running a full system scan with reliable anti-malware software
System health check Ensure a stable working environment by resolving system issues with the FortectIntego PC repair software

Search.searchlwradar.com is similar to many other search engines created by Polarity Technologies and causes the same problems and puts users at risk. The main page includes links to popular email services, shopping, and gaming sites.

Nevertheless, some sites are credible; some of them are not. Thus, it’s better to avoid clicking these links in order to prevent redirects to suspicious online places. The Privacy Policy of the program informs what information the browser hijacker collects and how it is used.

Thus, if you read this document, you would find that it might track your browsing history, search terms, clicked ads, technical information about your browser and device, IP address, geographic location, and more. All this information allows providing engaging commercial content.[2]

Thus, the chances that you will click on sponsored link or ad becomes higher. However, showing interest in advertisements might be dangerous because of shady Search.searchlwradar.com redirect tendencies. This potentially unwanted program (PUP) might provide commercial content that redirects to questionable or infected sites.

Therefore, you might be tricked into installing bogus software, reveal private information,[3] or catch ransomware.[4] Users also complain about sudden redirects to promotional sites and an increased amount of pop-ups and other types of online ads. The only medicine for all these problems is Search.searchlwradar.com removal.

So it would be best if you did it now. The easiest way to take care of this browser hijacker is to run a full system scan with reliable security software such as Malwarebytes, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, or similar. Once the threat is gone, run system diagnostics with the FortectIntego optimizer to ensure that your device doesn't freeze, crash, or exhibit any other strange behavior.

Browser hijacker travels with the help of freeware

The article's culprit might get inside computers using assistance from freeware and shareware. Authors of the search engine use the bundling technique, which allows attaching it as an optional component in a software bundle. Thus, if you “unpack” software during the installation, you might find a pre-selected agreement to make Search.searchlwradar.com your default homepage.

However, the majority of victims forget security tips and tricks when installing new programs. Usually, they rely on Quick/Standard installation wizard. As a result, they find unknown applications or search tools installed on their computers and browsers.

Thus, if you have encountered Search.searchlwradar.com hijack, probably, you made the same mistake. We want to remind you that Quick installation does not openly disclose third-party apps and install them by default. To protect your PC from PUPs, you need to opt for Advanced/Custom settings and carefully watch each step.

The illustration of Search.searchlwradar.comThe fake search engine might track browsing-related information and share it with third parties.

Instructions to remove Search.searchlwradar.com browser hijacker

You can complete Search.searchlwradar.com removal either manually or automatically. If you are willing to take a challenge, you can try to find all hijacker-related entries and delete them manually. Our prepared instructions below will help you to do that.

However, if these steps look time-consuming and require putting too much effort, you should opt for the second option. Automatic removal is performed using anti-malware programs. Thus, you will need to install a security program and run a full system scan. However, if you decide to remove Search.searchlwradar.com automatically, don’t forget to update your chosen tool first!

You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. 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.

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Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of Search.searchlwradar.com virus. Follow these steps

Uninstall from Windows

Follow each removal step carefully. Do not leave any hijacker-related entries installed on the system.

Instructions for Windows 10/8  machines:

  1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 1
  3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
  4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
  5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
  6. Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK. Uninstall from Windows 2

If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 7/XP
  3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
  4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
  5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
  6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Delete from macOS

Remove items from Applications folder:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
  3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash) Uninstall from Mac 1

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
  3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files. Uninstall from Mac 2

Remove from Microsoft Edge

After the hijack, you may need to reset Microsoft Edge in order to delete all tracking cookies and other virus-related entries.

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click on Uninstall at the bottom. Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear. Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Disable if you found any suspicious domain.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running. Reset MS Edge

If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.

  1. Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
  2. Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
  3. Right-click on them and pick Delete Advanced MS Edge reset 1
  4. Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  5. When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:

    Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose Advanced MS Edge reset 2

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove. Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now. Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset. Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Open the list of extensions. Delete all suspicious plugins, add-ons, and other apps installed to Mozilla Firefox without your knowledge. Also, reset the browser as shown below.

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select unwanted plugin and click Remove. Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Options.
  3. Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data…
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear. Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information. Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox. Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

The virus might have installed suspicious third-party extensions, plugins, or toolbars. Thus, the first thing you need to do is to uninstall them. Then, reset Google Chrome to delete tracking cookies and other suspicious entries.

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove. Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data. Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings. Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. In the new window, pick Extensions.
  3. Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall. Remove extensions from Safari

Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Clear History…
  2. From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
  3. Confirm with Clear History. Clear cookies and website data from Safari

Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. Go to Advanced tab.
  3. Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  4. From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches. Reset Safari

After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Search.searchlwradar.com registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.

How to prevent from getting browser hijacker

Access your website securely from any location

When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.

If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.

 

Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks

While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.

Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection. 

 

About the author
Alice Woods
Alice Woods - Likes to teach users about virus prevention

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