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  • Active
  • Severity: High
  • Stealing programs
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Sep 2017

How to remove Searchencrypt.com virus

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Alice Woods · Likes to teach users about virus prevention

Reasons not to use Searchencrypt.com search engine

Searchencrypt.com redirect issue

Searchencrypt.com (created by Eightpoint Technologies, Ltd.) is a questionable search engine which can hijack three popular web browsers – IE, Chrome, and Mozilla. However, it is presented as a tool that is supposed to protect user’s privacy.

According to the information provided on the website, this tool does not track and collect data. Thus, people who decide to use this search tool can feel safe that no one is building their online profile in order to provide interest-based ads.[1] Indeed, it may look like a reliable service for people who value their online privacy.

However, it has few negative features which gave it a name of a Searchencrypt.com browser hijacker. This PUP[2] might be installed on the system indirectly – bundled with other software. Nevertheless, this distribution method is legitimate; it is also questionable. Inattentive computer users might install it accidentally, says experts from Zondervirus team[3].

As a result, they find this search tool set as their default one. The problem is that they often have problems with Searchencrypt.com removal. This search tool does not leave their browser’s easily. If you are facing the same problem, we recommend scanning the computer with FortectIntego. This anti-malware program will wipe out this cyber infection quickly.

The main problem with Searchencrypt.com virus is related to developers partnership with third-parties. There’s no doubt that authors of the program are interested in generating revenue. Thus, they apply various marketing strategies. In the Terms of Service, they reveal about a possibility to find third-party promotional content or advertisements when using this search tool.

Browser hijackers are capable of placing sponsored content not only in the form of ads but also include in the search results page. The main Searchencrypt.com redirect problem is that you might end up on a shady website. Some of these sites might offer to download questionable software, affect your computer with viruses[4] or try to get your personal details.[5]

Developers of this search tool do not take responsibility for third-party content; thus, for all negative consequences, you will need to blame only yourself. We want to remind that this search engine was categorized as PUP, not for nothing. Thus, you should remove Searchencrypt.com to protect your computer from other cyber infections.

The image of Searchencrypt.com virus

Main questions about SearchEncrypt answered

Question. How to remove Search Encrypt from Chrome?

Answer. To remove Search Encrypt from Chrome, you should open your browser, and type chrome://extensions in the address bar. Click Enter, and you will be taken to the list of extensions added to the browser. Find the unwanted extension here and click the trash icon next to it to delete it.

Question. What is SearchEncrypt?

Answer. SearchEncrypt is a potentially unwanted program that changes your browser's search provider to http://searchencrypt.com. It promises not to track you as a user but provides third-party ads in the search results anyway. Search Encrypt does not “assume any responsibility regarding such content, products and/or services.” It is highly advisable to remove this questionable browser extension as well as related components from a computer system if you do not want to use SearchEncrypt services.

Question. Is Search Encrypt a virus? I found it in Chrome browser, and I am worried. I cannot remember installing this program on my computer or adding anything that changes browser's settings! I find such changes in browser unexpected and highly intrusive, and it gives me an impression that there is a dangerous program on my computer.

Answer. Although SearchEncrypt cannot be called a virus, many users find its activity annoying. Due to the number of complaints about this program, cyber security experts have labeled it as a “potentially unwanted program.” Its activity meets the characteristics of a typical browser hijacker.

Usually, this program is promoted via pop-ups that load ext.searchencrypt.com domain. You may have clicked on the install button unknowingly, or someone who uses your computer did. An alternative scenario is that the software was installed as part of a software bundle you recently installed.

New version of SearchEncrypt.com

Searchencrypt.navigateto.net virus. If searchencrypt.navigateto.net/go/aff? domain appeared in your browser, it will likely redirect you to an ad suggesting to install Search Encrypt extension to your browser. The ads will likely suggest you to “stop search tracking.” Clicking on the agreement button which might display “stop tracking” takes to ext.searchencrypt.com site which we described earlier.

If your browser displays these ads for you, it is an indicator of an adware program that is silently running on your computer system. In such situation, we recommend checking your computer for programs that were recently added to the system without your knowledge. This can also be done using certain security programs such as anti-spyware or anti-malware. Running a full system scan will remove searchencrypt.navigateto.net redirect issue for good.

The image of Searchencrypt.com virus

Ways to let this hijacker into your system

Users can set Search Encrypt as their default search engine directly from the official website. However, this search tool might also be promoted in the software bundles. Various applications might be attached to the primary program and offered as an optional download.

However, if you do not opt for the right installation settings, you might agree to install all additional programs indirectly. Quick or Standard setups do not inform about extra applications; thus, if you install new programs under these settings, all third-party apps are installed as well.

That’s how Searchencrypt.com hijack might occur too. As you already know, potentially unwanted programs might cause you lots of problems. Thus, you should be careful with software installation.[6] Always read EULA and Privacy Policy, choose reliable sources for downloads and opt for the Advanced/Custom installation mode.

Using these settings, you can see all third-party apps that offered to install. If you see pre-selected statement agreeing to set Searchencrypt.com as you default search engine on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, you should deselect it without consideration. It goes without saying that all unknown applications should not be installed on your device as well.

Remove Searchencrypt.com from Chrome and other web browsers

First of all, you should go to Control Panel and look through the Program’s list. Remove Searchencrypt.com virus or other applications that might be related to it. Then, check your browsers and delete questionable extensions from them. Lastly, reset browsers’ settings in order to terminate this hijacker entirely.

The instructions below will guide you through this process. However, you can simplify this task and perform automatic Searchencrypt.com removal. If this option seems more suitable for you, install or update anti-malware program and run a full system scan. Within several minutes, browser hijacker will be eliminated.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

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

Remove the unwanted program:

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

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

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

Remove from Microsoft Edge

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 Remove.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 Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.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 Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

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

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.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

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 the unwanted extension 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 Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

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 and Temporary cached files and pages, then click 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

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 suspicious extensions 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 dangerous extensions:

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

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

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

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