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

How to remove Search.polimva.com virus

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

Jake Doevan · Computer technology expert

Search.polimva.com – the browser hijacker that mostly aims at Mac computer users

The image of Search.polimva.com browser hijacker

Search.polimva.com is a highly suspicious search engine that users might be offered to install together with freeware or shareware. However, letting this program get inside the system and replace your default search provider is not recommended. It’s a fake Cubokit browsing tool which operates as a browser hijacker.

This search tool is related to Polimva browser extension that offers amazing search experience For Google Chrome users. In the website, this search engine is presented as an “articles search tool.” However, researchers question its operation. Additionally, it has a preference for Mac and iOS users.[1] Though, Windows OS users might get infected as well.

Due to the ability to sneak inside the system with various free programs without asking direct user’s permission, this program is known as a Search.polimva.com virus. However, it cannot damage the system like real computer viruses. However, it might cause privacy-related issues.

The homepage of Search.polimva.com does not include a privacy policy[2] or terms of use. These documents are crucial for every legitimate and reliable search engine. Thus, you cannot be sure that developers treat your personal information properly.

Even though the search tool does have a HTTPs indicator which signifies ist validity, the tendency to mislead to another URL should not be overlooked. Furthermore, once you enter the Cubokit address and type a search query, you get redirected to Yahoo database. Let us look through key features of this browsing tool:

  • switches to https://search.cubokit.com/?st=ds&q= homepage
  • displays bothersome commercial offers;
  • misleads to insecure domains;
  • collects information about browsing habits;
  • nags you with offers to install dubious toolbars and plug-ins

When you enter search keywords to the search box, you will be redirected to Yahoo results page. Even though it’s a legit service, you should not trust it. Once you click on a link, you might be rerouted to the random website. Such Search.polimva.com redirect issues might cause harm because users might be redirected to a potentially dangerous, phishing,[3] scam[4] or infected website.

Moreover, this Chrome extension uses cookies to track browsing-related information about the users and displays affiliate links in order to get a commission. Therefore, if you do not want to participate in such activities and want to minimize the chance to encounter serious cyber threats, you should remove Search.polimva.com from your browser.

For quick and simple search.polimva.com removal we recommend scanning the system with reputable anti-malware like FortectIntego or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. However, if you prefer manual elimination option, you can find the guidelines at the end of the article.

The picture of Search.polimva.com virus

Various free programs help to distribute the suspicious Chrome extension

This shady search engine is associated with Polimva browser extension which has an official website and is available on Chrome Web Store. Therefore, users can download it directly.

However, Search.polimva.com hijack might also occur when a user installs freeware or shareware incorrectly. The hijacker was noticed spreading as an optional component with various programs that you can download from the Internet.

If you want to avoid this and many other similar cyber threats, you should use Advanced/Custom instead of Quick/Recommended installation settings. Only this installation wizard reveals the list of “optional downloads” and allows rejecting their installation.

The hijacker mostly aims at English-speaking computer users. However, it may not limit itself and target people in Norway,[5] the Netherlands or Estonia.

Clean your web browser from the Polimva.com virus

Search.polimva.com removal requires eliminating ist web scripts or other suspicious browser extensions from Google Chrome. Besides, you should also check the list of programs on your PC, as well as other browser and reset them. Sometimes hijackers install third-party tools or tracking cookies in all browsers on the affected computer.

However, you can speed up the elimination of the suspicious components by opting for automatic Search.polimva.com removal. The hijacker with all its components can be quickly removed using anti-malware software.

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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