Search.searchw3f.com – yet another dubious app from Polarity Technologies

Search.searchw3f.com is an unreliable domain which, because of its capabilities to take over browser settings, has been named as a browser hijacker. Its developer, Polarity Technologies Ltd, is a well-known creator of similar PUPs. As soon as one of its programs enters victim’s computer, it takes a full control of Google Chrome, and other web browsers. Typically, Search.searchw3f.com virus alters their settings and applies this page as a homepage, new tab URL, and a default search engine.
Search.searchw3f.com tries to lure people who are into gaming – the front page is covered with links to various gaming sites. Some of these links contain legitimate content (such as Minecraft download site) while others direct you to extremely suspicious domains filled with tons of low-quality games. Considering that online gaming has been a successful theme[1] during the last couple years, it is not unusual that shady developers try to cash out of it.
IT experts[2] agree that this potentially unwanted program impersonates respectable and reliable search engines, such as Google, Yahoo or Bing. However, we can confirm that this browser hijacker has nothing to do with legitimate search engines. Developers of such dubious applications only care about their profit. Therefore, you should remove search.searchw3f.com and start using search engines that are not commercial. If you need a quick remedy, install FortectIntego.
The presence of an unwanted program[3] is noticeable as soon as the browser is launched and the user starts using it. If you found this hijacker instead of your favorite search engine, beware that keeping it will cause numerous side effects, including:
- Invasive ads, pop-ups, deals, offers on your favorite and perfectly legitimate websites;
- Redirects to phishing, fake update, and other dangerous websites;
- Complicated navigation to specific web pages (like your favorite search engine or security sites);
- New toolbars, bookmarks or favorites added without your knowledge;
- The poor performance of the browser.
In addition to these issues, Search.searchw3f.com can start tracking your non-personally identifiable information for advertisement purposes. Also, there is no guarantee that your personal data, such as full name or shipping address, won't be collected after adding it while using the hijacked web browser.
It is clear by now that this apprehensive behavior of this virus brings no benefit to the user. If you really like playing games online, check more reputable sources and don't forget to take care of Search.searchw3f.com removal.

Free applications assist in distribution of unwanted programs
In most of the cases, advanced computer users can easily recognize suspicious programs among the legitimate ones. The same can be said about bundled software which has been actively used as the primary way to spread browser hijackers on the Internet.
If you have never heard such term, keep in mind that the Internet is full of various freeware filled with optional components. The most of them are suspicious browser add-ons that should be avoided. Research shows that majority of users still rely on using Recommended settings while installing free software obtained online. However, this is a straight way into downloading adware and hijackers to the system.
Therefore, we advise you to opt for Advanced/Custom settings while installing such free software as download managers, video streaming software, and PDF creators. After doing so, make sure you deselect pre-checked checkmarks that allow additional components on the system.
Elimination of unreliable application Search.searchw3f.com
We suggest you download a genuine anti-malware software to remove search.searchw3f.com from the system without leaving its files, browser helper objects and similar components. This way you can delete the PUP immediately and keep your machine risk-free (as long as you keep the software up to date). We can assure you that the use of the below-mentioned software will lead to the permanent elimination of the virus.
In contrary, you can attempt manual search.searchw3f.com removal by using our step-by-step guide below. We have to warn you that this method should only be undertaken by adept computer users as incorrect deletion will simply not remove the virus.
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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