Searchfort.online – a browser hijacker used to promote the Search App web browser extension

Searchfort.online is a browser hijacker that appears on the browser due to an extension called “Search App”. This type of PUP typically spreads unnoticed with the help of other regular software which you can easily download from the Internet to improve your PC usage. However, freeware can be filled with optional components, such as Searchfort.online virus, that can modify various browser settings, cause redirects to dubious pages, etc. The browser-hijacking app[1] has also been noticed while tracking its victims and collecting non-personal data. Overall, it does not bring any true value to the user, so there is no need to keep it on the system.
| Name | Searchfort.online |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Possible dangers | Can redirect you to misleading websites which might include hazardous content |
| Related to | Search App extension |
| Activity | Modifies various browser settings; starts redirecting to dubious sites; forces its victims to use the fake search engine each time they try to browse the web |
| Distribution ways | Bundled freeware or shareware; suspicious sites; fake ads |
| Prevention tips | Be careful while performing installation of the freeware; avoid visiting questionable sites; install an antivirus program |
| Elimination | Use FortectIntego to get rid of Searchfort.online for good |
Searchfort.online virus can be recognized after noticing these symptoms:
- The homepage, new tab URL, and default search engine on the affected web browser are changed to Searchfort.online;
- Everytime you manage to surf the Internet, you are automatically forced to use the new fake search engine;
- You are being redirected to unrecognizable sites;
- The Search App extension shows up right after you open your web browser.
Such changes bring no good to you or your computer. We recommend performing the Searchfort.online removal as soon as you spot the browser-hijacking app on your PC and browsers. Be careful and do not get tricked as some browser hijackers might provide “useful” features such as fast access to popular sites to convince gullible users that the app is fully-legitimate and even comfortable to use.
Nevertheless, hijackers such as Searchfort.online also have an ability to collect non-personal details which are related to the user's browsing experience. Various links you click on, pages entered, bookmarks saved, and IP addresses, can be an easy way to gain profit for the developers of the browser-hijacking application. This type of information is shared with third-parties and sometimes even used for ad creating.
Another reason to remove Searchfort.online virus is various redirects. You might be taken to a promoted or dubious-looking site against your own will. Notice that such web pages usually are provided by third-parties and might contain misleading content which can end up on your computer. We advise using FortectIntego or any other trustworthy anti-malware tool for the deletion process. If you want to carry out the removal manually, look for the instructions that are displayed below this article.

Browser-hijacking apps are very likely to spread thru bundles
According to Ioys.gr malware researchers[2], PUPs such as browser hijackers and their components enter the system thru a marketing model called “bundling”[3]. That means, that unwanted programs come together with regular software that we install from the Internet. If you manage to use secondary installers, make sure you deselect the Quick/Recommended section, visit the Custom or Advanced settings, and opt-out all downloads that you did not request for.
Furthermore, hijacks can come from dubious sites and their links. Stay away from suspicious-looking networks and web pages as they are promoted by third-parties and might spread doubtful content. If you ever enter a questionable site – be quick to eliminate it and never return. These kinds of actions might help you to prevent secret PUP installation and various computer infections.
Additionally, if you do not have an antivirus program running on your computer yet, you should definitely get one. This type of tool will increase your computer system protection. It will allow you to perform regular system scans and detect any infections and cyber threats possible.
Get rid of Searchfort.online
To remove Searchfort.online hijack from browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and others, you will need to take some actions manually or perform the elimination automatically by installing anti-malware. You are free to choose the method that suits you the most.
Complete the Searchfort.online removal by eliminating the PUP and all unwanted components. Delete all browser-extensions, add-ons, apps, and web browser plug-ins, that were added by the browser-hijacking application. You will find instructions for this method below the article.
You can get rid of Searchfort.online virus from your computer and browsers by leaning on trustworthy and professional anti-malware help. Such tools will ensure that you get rid of the potentially unwanted program in a few minute time duration. After the process is completed, make sure that you refresh all browser that were affected by the hijack.
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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