The basic information about Search.searchwfa.com virus
It seems that Search.searchwfa.com virus is relative to another browser hijacker[1] – Search.searchraccess.com virus. Both potentially unwanted programs (PUP) attack popular web browsers, change their settings, and set its domain as the default homepage. The main page of this search engine offers quick access to the weather forecast alerts. However, this app is developed by SaferBrowser, and this fact does not give more credibility for Search.searchwfa.com search engine. It has been created to trick users into clicking on third-party links and boost traffic to the sponsored websites. Looking for relevant information becomes hard, but it’s not the only problem. Some of the modified search results might lead to the potentially dangerous Internet sites[2]. For example, you may accidentally end up on the website that has been created for spreading malware, offering you to purchase questionable software or trying to steal your personal data. We do not say that all links provided by this search engine can lead to the damaging places on the Web. However, the risk is quite huge because developers do not care about promoted content. They only care about clicks and generating advertising-based revenue[3]. We believe that no one wants to be money making tool, so it’s better to remove Search.searchwfa.com immediately. We suggest scanning device with FortectIntego and leaving hijacker’s elimination for the professional anti-malware program.
Browser hijacker might not only alter search results but might also deliver suspicious advertisements and initiate unwanted redirects to the promotional websites. After Search.searchwfa.com hijack your browser might crash or freeze due to the excessive amount of commercial content. Besides, you are risking of catching computer infection and letting shady third-party companies or developers spying on your browsing activity. In the Privacy Policy, it is noted that this search engine might collect non-personally identifiable[4] information and share it with the affiliates. In some cases, it might collect personally identifiable information as well, for example, if you decide to contact the developers or search for your name, surname or other private details using this suspicious search tool. However, Search.searchwfa.com removal can help to get rid of these inconveniences and unpleasant consequences. That’s why you should not delay it!

How does browser hijacker get inside the computer?
We have to tell you some unpleasant news. You are the one who is responsible for letting Search.searchwfa.com browser hijacker getting inside the system. This potentially unwanted program[5] is not powerful enough to infiltrate the system itself. It spreads bundled with freeware and developers thought about the clever way to hide it in the software package. However, it’s your responsibility to “unpack” each new program you are installing on your PC. Sadly, the majority of computer users still install new software using “Recommended” or “Quick” setup. However, this mistake might ask more of your time in the future. Quick installation mode does not disclose about additional applications and installs them by default. Therefore, if you want to protect your computer from PUPs like Search.searchwfa.com virus, make sure you install programs using “Advanced” or “Custom” setup and carefully complete each step. During the installation, you might see the checkbox of pre-selected applications and your task is to deselect all of them.
Getting rid of Search.searchwfa.com virus
Using this suspicious search engine and dealing with Search.searchwfa.com redirect problems is needless activity. Even though browser hijacker is not categorized as a dangerous computer infection, it still makes your PC vulnerable. Therefore, don’t risk your computer’s safety and stop shady people monitoring your steps online. Remove Search.searchwfa.com by following our prepared instructions below. Be careful with manual elimination because browser hijacker might be hidden deeply in the system and hiding under different names. Besides, it might have installed additional programs or helper objects, and all these components must be removed as well. If manual Search.searchwfa.com removal seems complicated and you don’t want to spend lots of time and effort, opt for automatic removal.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- 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.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

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

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

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

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

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- 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:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

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