Search.searchquco.com is browser hijacker that forces to use a questionable search engine

Search.searchquco.com is a potentially unwanted program (PUP)[1] that spreads bundled with free programs and can hijack targeted web browsers. Due to its ability to change default search engine and homepage, it is known as a browser hijacker.
| Summary | |
| Name | Search.searchquco.com |
| Developer | Polarity Technologies Ltd. |
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Danger level | Medium. Takes control of the affected browser and makes modifications to the system |
| Symptoms | Default homepage, search engine and new tab URL address with its domain, reverts user's attempts to set preferred search tool, displays commercial content |
| Distribution methods | Software bundling |
| To remove Search.searchquco.com, install FortectIntego and run a full system scan | |
Search.searchquco.com virus spreads in the form of a browser extension called Quick Coupons which seems to help people to find discounts and best online shopping offers. After the installation of this add-on and system restart, users can find unknown search engine instead of their default one.
The Search.searchquco.com might look like an ordinary search tool that offers quick access to social networks and mailing services. However, it’s just another Yahoo-based search engine created by Polarity Technologies. This company is known for creating numerous similar tools to participate in Yahoo affiliate program and generate per-per-click revenue.
To achieve this goal, authors of the browser hijacker created a tool that after infiltration might:
- take control over the affected browser by altering system settings and browser’s shortcuts;
- set either http://search.searchquco.com or http://query.searchquco.com as built-in search tool;
- replace startup page to one of the previously mentioned domains;
- prevent users from setting their preferred homepage and search engine;
- display ads and other commercial content;
- redirect to affiliate websites;
- track and share information about users;
- allow third-party tracking technologies.
Browser hijacker cannot cause direct damage to the computer or files stored on the affected device. However, Search.searchquco.com redirect tendencies might lead to infiltration of one of these cyber threats. According to the analysis, this tool can redirect to infected or at least potentially dangerous sites that are used for spreading malware.[2]
Security specialists highly recommend staying away from ads, pop-ups, and banners because they might be misleading and created to get your click. This PUP is capable of tracking information about user’s browsing history and preferences and using it for targeted advertising. For this reason, ads might seem interesting and useful, but in reality, they might lead to malware-laden sites.
To avoid privacy and security issues, you should remove Search.searchquco.com with all its related components from the system. Probably, you have tried to get rid of it by replacing this domain with your preferred domain, but it was not enough.
Indeed, elimination requires putting more effort. You have to either follow manual Search.searchquco.com removal guide given at the end of the article or run a full system scan with FortectIntego.

The sneaky way how hijacker enters the system unnoticed
Browser hijackers just like thousands of other PUPs usually arrive in the system with the help of freeware and shareware. The program can get into the system when users download any free software using Quick/Recommended settings. Security experts from bedynet.ru[3] warn that this setup does not reveal what PUPs might be included in the software package.
Keep in mind that any free program can be a “package,” not a single program. Thus, you have to always check it by using Advanced/Custom settings. Follow the installation guide attentively, and remove the ticks from pre-selected optional downloads. Simple as that, your computer is protected from unwanted ads.
Eliminate Search.searchquco.com and fix affected web browser
To remove Search.searchquco.com entirely, you have to:
- Uninstall suspicious programs that might have brought in the same software package;
- Uninstall browser extensions that were installed without your knowledge;
- Reset each of the affected browsers.
You can find detailed uninstall guide below. However, if this task seems too difficult to you, you should opt for the automatic Search.searchquco.com removal. All you need to do is to scan the system with an updated anti-malware tool.
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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