Searchfunctions.com – a shady search engine that might be set as your default one after incorrect freeware installation

SearchFunctions by mysearchinc.com is a browser hijacker that is presented as a simple to use search engine. It can hijack Chrome or other popular web browsers and set SearchFunctions.com as default search engine without leaving users a chance to switch back to their previous search provider.
SearchFunctions virus spreads with the help of free programs that are available to download on various file sharing sites and networks. Nevertheless, users can download it directly from Chrome Play Store;[1] it rarely happens. The hijack usually is unnoticed, and users only see its caused changes on the browser.
First of all, SearchFunctions.com virus changes default search engine and homepage to its domain. The purpose of such activity is to control user’s search queries. The search engine uses its own algorithm to display search results. Therefore, developers may include sponsored third-party links to trick you into visiting useless website.
Keep in mind that these SearchFunctions redirect tendencies are potentially dangerous and might lead to computer infection, money loss or similar put your privacy at risk. This potentially unwanted program (PUP) might redirect you to technical support scam, phishing or other infected websites.[2]
Secondly, the hijacker is capable of altering Windows registry and browser’s settings to make sure that users won’t easily remove SearchFunctions.com from their browsers. For example, if you set your preferred search provider or homepage, once you restart your computer, the hijacker will be back.
Therefore, SearchFunctions removal requires uninstalling hijacker-related entries from the system. It might be programs, browser extensions, add-ons, or other files. Locating them might be complicated, so we recommend using anti-malware software, such as FortectIntego, to clean your computer.

Thirdly, SearchFunctions Search collects browsing-related information, such as user IP address, search terms, clicked ads and organic search results, user agent details. According to the privacy policy, this information might be used to serve ads. Additionally, your preferences and interests might be shared with third-parties:
We may rent, sell, or share aggregated information and other non-personally identifiable information with third parties for multiple reasons, including to develop and deliver search results and advertising and to conduct general business analysis.
It means that if you do not rush to remove SearchFunctions, your browser might be flooded with third-party ads. While some of them might be legitimate and useful, others might be misleading or even malicious. One way or another, the increased amount of ads on the browser complicates your browsing sessions, and it shouldn’t be tolerated.
The hijacker spreads in the form of a browser extension in the software packages
As we have mentioned, SearchFunctions browser extension has an official download website and is available in Chrome Play Store. However, developers of the add-on use software bundling strategy to increase PUP downloads.
According to researchers from LosVirus.es,[3] bundling is one of the most successful ways to trick users into installing browser hijackers and other unwanted applications. This method allows attaching PUP to any free program and gets into the system unnoticed when a user relies on Quick/Recommended settings.
The latter settings do not openly disclose about third-party apps that are included in the same package. To avoid accidental installation of PUPs, you have to choose Advanced/Custom settings, attentively follow installation guide and unmark pre-selected third-party apps.
Uninstall SearchFunctions Search entirely
To remove SearchFunctions.com from the browser, you have to uninstall all suspicious files, programs, and browser extensions. The instructions below will explain to you how to complete this task entirely. However, you should not forget to reset affected browsers too.
However, you can also speed up SearchFunctions.com removal by using malware removal tools. After the system scan, you just have to set your browser to the default state and forget about unwanted activities caused by the hijacker.
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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