Search.searchgtp.com – a potentially unwanted program that can take control over browsers

Search.searchgtp.com by Polarity Technologies might look like legitimate search tool. However, quick access to Facebook, Gmail, and other popular sites, as well as possibility to track packages from browser’s homepage should not trick you. It’s a browser hijacker[1] that spreads in software bundles as Get Tracker Package extension.
Hence, distribution method of the Search.searchgtp.com virus allows entering the system without user’s realization. However, once inside, it immediately makes changes to the system and web browsers installed on the affected computer. These modifications include:
- replaced homepage, default and built-in search engine to search.searchgtp.com;
- inability to set preferred search provider;
- installation of suspicious add-ons or browser’s extensions;
- alterations to Windows registry or browser’s settings in order to prevent users from Search.searchgtp.com removal.
However, the main dangers are related to Search.searchgtp.com redirect issues. Despite the fact that hijacker redirects search queries to Yahoo; it still can force users to visit questionable third-party domains once they click on the needed search link.
This hijacker’s feature might lead to further cyber threats and infections. Searchgtp virus might redirect to phishing, technical support scam or websites that are created for spreading malware,[2] such as ransomware or spyware.
In order to avoid possibility catch a dangerous cyber threat or reveal sensitive information to criminals, you should remove Search.searchgtp.com immediately. However, talking about possible issues to your privacy, you should be aware that hijacker might collect a bunch of different information itself, such as:
- personal information (email, phone, number, address or similar if you contact the developers);
- technical details about the browser;
- technical information about operating system and installed programs;
- browsing history;
- geographic location and ISP information;
- clicked ads;
- search queries;
- etc.
All these aggregated details are needed for online advertising. However, they might also be shared or sold to third-parties. They might be affiliates, advertising networks or even cyber criminals. Thus, this activity should not be tolerated. Hence, Search.searchgtp.com removal is a must.

Free programs help to spread and install browser hijacker
Search.searchgtp.com hijack usually occurs when a user downloads free programs incorrectly. It means when you use Quick/Recommended settings. The problem with them is that they are not designed to reveal third-party components that might be attached to the primary program.
The security team from LesVirus.fr[3] say that the majority of users still rely on these settings and let PUPs enter the system without even realizing it. However, you can protect your PC from PUPs by opting for Advanced/Custom installation settings.
When in Advanced mode, follow the guide attentively and remove the ticks from pre-selected programs or statements agreeing to change your default search engine.
Delete Search.searchgtp.com virus from the Windows and Mac computers
The hijacker might affect web browsers installed on both Windows and Mac systems. However, Search.searchgtp.com removal is the same. You have to remove all programs, browser extensions and other components related to the hijacker.
The guidelines below will explain to you how to remove Search.searchgtp.com manually. However, if you are not experienced computer user or cannot find hijacker-related components, you should opt for the automatic elimination method that suggests scanning the device with reputable anti-malware software.
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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