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

How to remove Usearch.id virus

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

Olivia Morelli · Ransomware analyst

Usearch.id promises to provide “positive” search results only, but delivers dangerous ads

Usearch.id is a questionable search engine developed by Metranet (Telkom Indonesia Group) and Xertain Media. This search tool is positioned as a “positive” search engine that is suitable for children. Authors of the program claim that this search tool filters results and prohibits sites that spread pornography, gambling, phishing, racism, etc. However, due to its negative features, it is entitled as Usearch.id virus. Although technically it is not a virus, but it might enter the system silently, alter browser’s settings, prevent users from using another search tool from their startup page and deliver an excessive amount of suspicious ads. This behavior allowed to put this cyber infection in browser hijacker’s category. Nevertheless, this app might take control over your browser; there’s a way to get it back. You can quickly scan the device with FortectIntego or another anti-malware program, and it will delete all hijacker-related entries for you. Or you can remove Usearch.id manually by following our prepared instructions at the end of the article.

The image of Usearch.id virus

Usearch.id delivers does not redirect searches to Google, Yahoo or other popular search providers. It uses its own database that allows not only blocking “negative” sites but includes sponsored links as well. Apart from advertisements that show up at the top of search results, some commercial content might be hidden and delivered as regular search results. Undoubtedly, this behavior is unfair and prevents from finding useful information. However, tricking users into visiting sites is one of the ways how developers generate revenue. Clicks on links, ads, and redirects to promotional sites boost income. Meanwhile, users might suffer from unpleasant Usearch.id redirect issues. They might unintentionally end up on dangerous websites. Indeed, it’s a paradox. The search engine is supposed to ban potentially dangerous sites, but displayed ads offer to visit Asian dating site for adults,[1] install questionable software as MacKeeper, and similar content. Clicking on such ads might end up with a cyber attack or privacy-related problems. Thus, you should not only keep away from them but hurry up with Usearch.id removal as well.

The Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions are written in Indonesian and English languages. These documents describe operation principles of the search engine, user’s rights and responsibilities, data collection and sharing, and other important details. Reading these papers is crucial because you must learn how Usearch.id treats your private information. According to the Privacy Policy, this program collects only non-personally identifiable information that is necessary to improve the service. This cliche saying means – to provide interest-based and encouraging ads. Thus, if you are thinking about keeping this tool, you should not forget hijacker’s redirect tendencies.

The illustration of Usearch.id browser hijacker

Browser hijacker travels in software bundles

Usearch spreads as an optional component in software packages. The developers use deceptive software marketing method called “bundling” that allows hiding PUP in the software bundle. If users install programs under Quick/Recommended settings, they might encounter Usearch.id hijack. It might happen because this configuration does not openly disclose about third-party software. As a result, all “additional downloads” are installed on the system silently. Meanwhile, Advanced/Recommended settings reveal the list of extra applications and allow rejecting their installation. Thus, in order to protect your computer from unwanted applications[2] such as Usearch.id, you have always to install new programs using the following setup.

Detailed guidelines for Usearch.id removal

To remove Usearch.id from the browser, you have to uninstall this suspicious program from the computer first. Once it’s done, check the list of browser extensions and delete all suspicious entries too. Finally, reset affected browsers and set your preferred search engine as default one. For extra help, please follow our prepared illustrated instructions below. But you can speed up Usearch.id removal by scanning the computer with anti-malware/anti-spyware program. It’s quick and effective way to terminate hijacker-related components within several minutes.

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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