BountySearch is the PUP that offers easy money and tricks people into installing the add-on
BountySearch virus functions as a browser extension[1] available on Chrome Web Store. Its developer provides little information about the features of this web store. Initially, it may look like an ordinary browser extension. If you are interested in adding it to your browser toolbar, bear in mind that it is classified as a browser hijacker or alternatively a potentially unwanted application.
First of all, it does not indicate its privacy policy nor terms of use. Furthermore, the website associated with extension bounty-searches.bid does not function properly as well. These factors are sufficient arguments for you to consider the proper PUP removal.
| Name | BountySearch |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| Purpose | Redirect searches, collect information about users, expose them to commercial content |
| Distribution | Deceptive sites, web stores, freeware installations |
| Danger level | Low. This is not malicious |
| Elimination | Clearing browsers is crucial, so rely on the guide below. Also, you may benefit from the anti-malware scan |
| Repair | The problem with PUPs is related to silent alterations done to system functions and files. It is possible to repair the damage with FortectIntego |
Earning easy money always appeals to a majority of netizens. There are already devised various technologies to help users earn profits. However, legitimate methods, such as pay-per-click[2] advertising or filling up surveys, collect only a small amount of money. However, there is a vast diversity of tools and digital assistants which promise jackpots while in reality, they are quite useless.
Some of them might even cause cyber problems for credulous users. In this regard, the PUP does not differ from the latter description. The fact that the official website of its developer redirects to a web page that says “File not found” is enough to remove BountySearch from the browser. For that purpose, you may use SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes.
Additionally, it is likely that the add-on injects its tracking tools such as beacons, cookies, and pixels to monitor users’ online activities. It is likely that you may be bothered by BountySearch redirect. Such obscure browser extensions are often supported by third parties. Thus, it is not surprising if you may not notice any supported ads. However, they may direct users to poorly supported domains. To sum up, the final choice whether to keep this add-on rests upon you.
Distribution techniques
You may find it on the Chrome Web store. You may run into this PUP in other web pages as well. Since it likely cooperates with several partner companies, you may notice this add-on promoted in affiliate websites. During browsing, users may accidentally facilitate the hijack by clicking on “Add extension.”
Thus, it is crucial to pay attention when enabling new extensions and to download new applications. Check their ratings and user reviews. Other netizens’ bitter experiences may ward off you from installing useless or sometimes even malignant tools.
Getting rid of BountySearch
If you are looking for a way how to remove the virus quickly, you may let a computer security tool do this tiresome procedure for you. Other users who are confident in dealing with similar PUPs may also manual elimination options.
Users of all popular browsers will find the explicit BountySearch removal guide below. Lastly, check whether, during the stay of this PUP, additional obscure elements were not installed on your computer.
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.
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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