Srchbar.com – browser hijacker supposedly improving your search results

| Name | Srchbar.com |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Affected browsers | Chrome, Explorer, Safari, etc. |
| Danger level | Medium. Can attract dangerous malware. |
| Symptoms | Redirects to questionable sites, home page, new tab and search engine settings changed, an increased amount of intrusive advertisement. |
| Distribution | Software bundles |
| Removal | For best Srchbar.com removal results use FortectIntego. |
Srchbar is also known is also called Search Manager. This potentially unwanted program (PUP) usually spreads bundled with various free applications. In this way, the hijacker can get into the computer unnoticed. However, it's impossible to overlook its appearance on the affected browser. The hijack can be recognized from these symptoms:
- A search engine is changed;
- A new tab, the home page is set to Srchbar.com;
- You can see new toolbars, bookmarks, favorites added to your browser;
- You can not navigate to certain websites, i.e, online security software providers;
- You are redirected to questionable sites after each click;
- You see an increased amount of intrusive advertisement;
- Your web browser starts running sluggishly.
So-called Srchbar.com virus targets Explorer, Chrome and Firefox users. As we have mentioned, this PUP[2] can be installed o your computer without your consent and work in the background, but all of the above-mentioned features is a clear warning that something is not good with the browser.
As you already know, Srchbar virus causes various browsing-related problems. Despite the fact its domain redirects to search.yahoo.com, you see the content via a hijacked web browser. Therefore, the PUP might use virtual layer and display third-party content on the legitimate search results or include hidden ads. In this way, it tricks users into clicking affiliate content and bring developers revenue.
Such Srchbar.com redirects are definitely annoying, but it might be dangerous too. You can never know what website you can be forced to visit. Some of them might belong to cyber criminals, so it's easy to get your PC infected or sensitive data stolen. This is one of the reasons why you need to get rid of the hijacker ASAP.
However, it has another concerning feature – data tracking. According to security specialists at Lesvirus.fr[3], the hijacker can collect various browsing-related information that helps to display targeted ads. However, there's always a chance that aggregated data can be shared with third-parties. So, you should remove Srchbar.com in order not to see lots of suspicious ads on the browser or find your inbox filled with spammy newsletters you haven't subscribed.
Srchbar.com removal can be time-consuming and tricky. That is why we have a guide below that you can use and be sure that security of your computer systems is in check. However, we suggested simplifying the elimination by using an anti-malware program like FortectIntego. 
Bundling technique helps PUP developers to spread infections
Many potentially unwanted programs can be installed without user’s consent. Browser hijacker is one of them. This happens during insecure freeware installs. If you tend to use free share networking not certified software providers you can be in high-risk situations. When choosing Default/Quick installing options, you skip through essential steps, and opportunity to de-select additional free program installs.
To avoid this kind of cyber infections, you need to use Advanced/Custom setup. However, these settings do not protect you from PUPs itself. Additional precautions are needed too. You have to read all the information provided by the developers (Terms of Use, Privacy Policy) and details in each of the installation steps.
If you see pre-selected agreements to make unknown search engine your default one or suggestions to install third-party programs, remove the ticks from the checkboxes. We can ensure that such apps usually have more negative effects than bring something useful for you.
Eliminate Srchbar.com browser hijacker from Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers
You need to remove Srchbar.com from your computer as soon as you notice it there. This helps to avoid cyber threats, data tracking, and other shady activities. The easiest way to get rid of the hijacker and all its related components is to scan the device with anti-malware software.
However, if you do not have trustful tools and do not want to obtain one for Srchbar.com removal, you have to do the job manually. You need to remove all suspicious extensions and add-ons from your browser manually from time to time. We have prepared a guide that will help to complete this task successfully:
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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