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  • Active
  • Severity: High
  • Stealing programs
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Oct 2018

How to remove Search.searchmedia.online

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

Lucia Danes · Virus researcher

Search.searchmedia.online – a browser hijacker which tricks gullible users by providing “helpful features”

Search.searchmedia.online browser hijacker

Search.searchmedia.online is a potentially unwanted program which belongs to the browser hijacker category[1]. This PUP infiltrates the system unnoticed through other software that users often download and install from free sharing sources from the Internet. Moreover, browser-hijacking apps have a purpose to modify browser settings such as the homepage, new tab URL, and default search engine. Some users decide to keep this program because of its “useful” features such as fast access to commonly visited networks and similar. However, this browser-hijacking app sometimes is called Search.searchmedia.online virus due to its ability to secretly sneak into the system and perform annoying activities, and because of that, the PUP should be deleted permanently.

Name Search.searchmedia.online
Type Browser-hijacking app
Sub-type Potentially unwanted program
Possible dangers This dubious program can take you to potentially dangerous websites
Purpose To attract many users by providing “useful” features
Symptoms Your search engine is set to Search.searchmedia.online, you are facing dubious redirects, browsers are working slower than before
Browsers affected Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Safari
Distribution This PUP can spread via bundled software or rogue websites
Removal Install FortectIntego to fix the damage

Search.searchmedia.online browser hijacker can appear in your computer system at any time if you act carelessly while browsing the Internet. You can detect this potentially unwanted program from such signs:

  • Your browser's homepage, new tab URL, and default search engine are changed to Search.searchmedia.online and you cannot revert such changes;
  • Dubious redirects are taking you to developer-promoted sites or even potentially harmful ones;
  • Browsers are working slower than before due to the browser-hijacking application;
  • You have discovered questionable browser-extensions[2], plug-ins, and add-ons that you did not add.

If you spot such symptoms, you can be sure that you are infected with Search.searchmedia.online browser hijacker. The worst part is that this program can take you to different types of websites some of which might promote potentially dangerous content. In some cases, this might even relate to a secret installation of a ransomware virus or Trojan horse[3].

Additionally, browser-hijacking software such as Search.searchmedia.online relates to data collection. This one collects information that is based on the user's browsing history. Such data includes various websites visited, music tracks, pictures viewed, saved bookmarks, and so on. Developers gather this type of information to share it with third parties and gain income.

Search.searchmedia.online potentially unwanted program

Another annoying feature is that Search.searchmedia.online PUP changes web browser settings without asking for your permission. Every time you open the infected web browser, you are forced to use the new default search engine, you like it or not. Nevertheless, search query results that are provided from that engine often come misleading.

If you want to revert changes that were done by the browser hijacker and get your original search engine back, you need to remove Search.searchmedia.online virus from your computer system and clean infected web browsers from all unwanted components which include PUP-added browser extensions and questionable plug-ins that you do not remember adding.

You can perform the Search.searchmedia.online removal by using one from two techniques. The manual elimination method requires more of the user's effort and in some cases, it might be hard to perform for inexperienced computer users. As a solution, you can carry out the elimination by installing anti-malware tools. Moreover, you can repair all damaged objects, if there are some, by running FortectIntego on your computer.

Search.searchmedia.online PUP

Browser hijackers spread via bundling

According to IT researchers from the Virusai.lt website[4], browser hijackers and other potentially unwanted programs are spread through free software that users often download and install from free sharing sources. This happens if you have picked the Quick or Recommended installation option over the Custom or Advanced one. Make sure you choose the right variant because the Custom/Advanced section lets you track all incoming downloads.

Moreover, the Internet sphere is full of unknown websites. If you do not take precautionary measures and still visit various questionable pages, you increase the risk of a browser hijacker infection. Some piece of advice is to stay away from dubious-looking networks and sites as far as possible. If you accidentally enter such type of web page, make sure that you eliminate it the same minute and never return to it again.

Use anti-malware help to terminate Search.searchmedia.online

If you have overcome the browser-hijacking app and made the right decision to get rid of it, we are glad to provide you with some solutions. First, you should know that browser hijackers not only infect systems but also leave dubious components behind, especially, in web browsers. Thus, the conclusion is that you need to eliminate every single component that is related to the PUP if you want to perform the Search.searchmedia.online removal successfully.

You can remove Search.searchmedia.online virus with the help of anti-malware tools or by using the manual technique that we presented down below. Talking about this option, you will need to open infected web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and delete all browser hijacker-added extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons. However, if you find this method too difficult, go back to the automatical one.

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

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