Skip to content
  • Active
  • Severity: High
  • Stealing programs
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Mar 2018

How to remove Services.srchweb.org

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

Alice Woods · Likes to teach users about virus prevention

Services.srchweb.org is a browser hijacker that opts for user's Search Data

Services.srchweb.org browser hijacker removal is recommended

Services.srchweb.org is a misleading search site that falls into browser hijacker[1] and potentially unwanted program (PUP) categories. First of all, it attacks web browser without being recognized. Then it alters the default settings by adopting https://services.srchweb.org/crx/search.php?action= as a search engine and Services.srchweb.org as a start page. After that, it can display changed Yahoo-based search results and collect user's search data[2] anytime.

Name Services.srchweb.org
Type Browser hijacker, PUP
Distribution Software bundling
Symptoms Services.srchweb.org URL instead of a default start page, search engine, new tab. Continuous web browser's redirects. Browser's slowdowns, freezes. Increment of intrusive ads
Removal Automatic elimination of PUP recommended. Download FortectIntego, install it, and click Scan now button. 

At first sight, the Services.srchweb.org domain might look reliable. However, you should draw your attention to the fact that the website cannot be accessed by typing the address in the URL bar. The site looks down as it redirects to Freshy.com web domain, which is not working as well. Alternatively, the URL can return the following information:

Testing 123…
This page is used to test the proper operation of the Apache HTTP server after it has been installed. If you can read this page, it means that this site is working correctly. This server is powered by CentOS.

However, the server is not down. People who accidentally install Services.srchweb.org extension see this domain as a start page and search provider. Draw your attention to the misleading links that it provides at the top of the search results and catchy ads that usually cover start page and random websites. The content might be dangerous.

For most of the time, netizens refer to this search as Services.srchweb.org virus, and that's partially true. Although it does not exhibit malicious traits, stealthy infiltration and abnormal web browser's behavior since the installation of this hijacker resemble the behavior of a virus.

Nonetheless, it's not malicious. The real danger can be hidden under the content that it is set to display. Services.srchweb.org hijacks web browsers for marketing purposes, i.e., to drive traffic to affiliated websites and generate pay-per-click revenue from advertising. Unfortunately, the content of third-party links and pop-ups is not tested, and no one approves it to be secure.

The team of security experts located in the UK and spreading their ideas in NoVirus.co[3] reported us recently that the Services.srchweb.org removal is the immediate action required. According to them, browser hijackers are capable of installing tracking cookies and approving user's permission to enable them by default. Thus, its developers and third-parties can easily access the following information:

  • Your name;
  • Email address;
  • IP address;
  • Approximate geographical location;
  • Language is spoken;
  • Search queries;
  • Websites visited;
  • Bookmarks, etc.

In most of the cases, parties share gathered information for business, commercial, and marketing purposes so that you can expect a significant increment of personalized pop-ups during your browsing sessions.

Services.srchweb.org is a PUP that initiates doubtful activities

Although browser hijackers are not dangerous on their own, they can promote misleading and hazardous content. Thus, for the sake of your PC's security and protection of private information, we would strongly recommend you to remove Services.srchweb.org from Chrome or another hijacked website.

Tools like FortectIntego, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes can be of use for you to initiate Services.srchweb.org removal easily. Automatic malware removal tools will delete all unwanted tools from your PC along with cache, junk, and other useless entries.

Freeware is used for disseminating malware

As we have already pointed out, this search site seems to be discontinued. While it's currently unavailable directly, it keeps working as a web browser's extension and presents people with altered Yahoo search results if they download a potentially unwanted extension as an extra component of a freeware.

Freeware bundling is a method widely used by third parties to increase revenue from affiliate marketing. To prevent accidental installation of software packages, follow these steps each time you attempt to install a free application:

  • Find out what company developed it. If the developer is not specified, we would highly recommend you to restrain from installing it.
  • Read Privacy Policy and Terms of the freeware. If it's actively involved in affiliate marketing and rejects responsibility for the links, ads, and other third-party content, think twice before clicking the install button.
  • Choose Advanced or Custom installation method. Quick installation setup does not unravel what additional components the freeware contains, thus leaving the user no chances to opt out of them.
  • Read each like provided in the installation setup and remove ticks from statements like: “By clicking Next I agree to install/set XXX.”

Get rid of Services.srchweb.org virus for good

To not delay Services.srchweb.org removal. This misleading search site can leak loads of information about your web browsing habits and employ it for marketing purposes. Besides, it may display intrusive or even dangerous content.

The sooner you remove Services.srchweb.org, the lower is the risk to expose your PC to dangerous websites. The elimination process can be initiated manually and automatically (recommended). You can find the programs we recommend using down below, as well as a step-by-step guide on how to remove it manually.

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

Be the first to comment

Spyware news
Privacy preferences

We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze traffic. Some cookies enable embedded content like videos and social posts. Choose what you allow — you can change this anytime.