Skip to content
Spyware news
  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · May 2021

How to remove Search Button browser hijacker

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

Gabriel E. Hall · Passionate web researcher

Search Button browser hijacker – an app that shouldn't be used if you value your privacy and security

Search Button browser hijacker

Search Button browser hijacker is a potentially unwanted program[1] with all kinds of dangerous traits. First of all, it might change your browser preferences, such as the default search engine, new tab, and homepage. That's done to redirect all search traffic through a website of its choice. During our research, the appointed search engine was keysearchs.com, which is fake as it doesn't generate any search results. But depending on your geolocation, the search engines might differ and some of the sessions go through Bing.com.

Typically, fake search engines redirect to legitimate ones and show their results with a slight twist – advertisements. They could be shown as search results, recommended searches, etc. Usually, displayed ads are deceptive as they have nothing in common with the affiliated sites. They're made to lure you into clicking them by showing various misleading contents.

When Search Button virus is installed on your device either as an app or a browser extension, it can collect various browsing details. That could endanger your privacy and security. This article contains its removal instructions and system recovery options.

name Search Button
Type Browser hijacker, PUP, redirect virus
Altered browser settings New tab, default search engine, homepage
Promoted fake search site keysearchs.com
IP address 104.21.36.47
Symptoms Modified browser settings, search results riddled with ads, slower device performance, redirects to untrustworthy sites
Risks Privacy issues, monetary losses, PUP installation, malware infections
Distribution Software bundling, fake Flash Player updates, deceptive ads, file-sharing platforms
Elimination You can use trustworthy anti-malware software to remove cyber threats from your infected device automatically
System repair PUPs alter system directories which may cause system failures such as crashing, freezing, etc. Run a scan with the all-in-one FortectIntego system diagnostics tool to take care of all system-related issues

Browser hijacker, unnecessary toolbars, adware,[2] and similar junkware are rarely installed willingly. Typically, people don't know how similar software got on their devices. That's because their developers use sneaky techniques for their distribution. Because of that and their shady functions, they are deemed as potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).

Search Button is a worthless app that should never be installed or used. Although, for a limited time, it was falsely advertised as a useful tool on Google Chrome Web Store, it could also be installed on your device through software bundles, deceptive ads, and other stealthy methods.

The main goal of this browser intruder is to generate internet traffic to its affiliated sites. It does that by causing redirects and displaying ads in search results. Some of the sponsored sites might be harmless, but some might have ill intentions, such as to draw out your private details, infect devices with malware, involve you in various scams, etc.

Furthermore, Search Button browser hijacker is capable of data-tracking. While you're casually browsing, it could collect various non-personal details, including:

  • browser and device info,
  • addresses of visited sites,
  • geolocations,
  • used apps,
  • IP addresses, etc.

Search Button virus

Advertisers usually use this gathered data to present ads irresistible to you. But if it fell into the wrong hands, you could get in trouble. That's why you should never install any similar PUPs. If you think that Search Button might be on your device, please scan your device with reliable security tools such as SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes to remove it.

Then check if it's not installed as a browser extension as well. If you're not sure how that's done, we've included detailed removal guides at the bottom of this article. And lastly, IT experts[3] highly recommend performing system diagnostics with the time-proven FortectIntego system repair tool to automatically take care of all system irregularities.

Avoid malware and PUPs by enhancing your cybersecurity

Threat actors are always searching for new ways to infect innocent people's computers and developing more and more sophisticated malware. Tech giants such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, and others are doing their best to keep up with cybercriminals, but it's a very tough task.

That's why everyone who uses the internet regularly must take care of their security themselves. We, here at 2-spyware.com, have compiled a list of guidelines that will greatly increase your cybersecurity level and make it very hard for any evildoers to bypass it:

  • Install the latest updates to your Operating System and all other software (except BETA versions).
  • Acquire a professional security tool and make a habit of scanning your system at least twice a week.
  • Regularly perform system diagnostics to keep system files and settings at bay.
  • Keep backups of all critical data on at least two separate devices/locations, e.g., offline storage, the cloud, etc.
  • Learn about the most popular methods cybercriminals use to spread their creations by doing a web search or reading our articles.
  • Pay attention when installing any new software. Download it only from verified sources or straight from its developers.

Search Button PUP

Remove Search Button virus from your device within minutes

Browser hijackers, such as Color Page virus, CoolWebSearch.winproc32 virus, Searchmy.co virus, etc., should never be used. They change browser settings without your direct permission to redirect search traffic, display deceptive ads, collect browsing-related data, increase the popularity of affiliated sites, and so on.

It doesn't matter if you were tricked into installing Search Button browser hijacker by a false advertisement or it got on your system unknowingly – you have to remove it ASAP. The easiest way to do it is to perform a full system scan with a trustworthy security tool.

Sometimes, this PUP could be installed as a browser extension. If that's the case, feel free to use our comprehensive removal guides below. Afterward, repair altered system files and delete tracking cookies by running a system tune-up with proper software so you could enjoy your device anew.

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.

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

Log in to post your comment
Log in to comment
Editor's pick · tested 2026

Fortect Intego

9.4 / 10 9.6 / 10 Best overall pick
  • Real-time ransomware shield
  • Free 14-day trial, no card
  • Cleans the threats listed above

Ad — we may earn a commission if you buy via this link.

Get protected →Get protected → Read our full review Read our full review

Still worried? Run a free check.

Scan a URL or domain in seconds — no install, no signup. Powered by 60+ engines.

Trusted by 2.4M+ readers this year.

Spyware news
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
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.