How to remove SearchFor

SearchFor is an alternative search engine that tracks your personal info

Without a doubt, many of us like to use Google for searching the web at any time when it is needed. There are plenty of alternatives that exist – SearchFor is one of them. However, it is also important to note that the extension is also categorized as a browser hijacker.

The main reason it is usually put in this category is due to its modifications to the homepage, and new tab address – searchfor.cc is something you would see in the address bar of your web browser straight away. In fact, this information is stated by the developer itself on the Google Web Store, where you can download it from:

The extension will update your search settings and will change your New Tab and default search services provided by Bing.

Note: the extension we about to discuss should not be confused with a search provider of the same name, which uses 50% of its advertising revenue to support various charities.

Changes to web browser settings are not considered to be malicious. In fact, Google Chrome now always warns users about the implemented alterations, and they can decline them at any time. However, it is important to note that many users might not understand the full implications of such changes and accept them without thinking twice.

First of all, it is important to note that, once the extension is installed, you can forget your default search sessions, as they will change drastically.

Browser hijackers often disguise the ads they promote as “enhanced” or “improved” search results. Let's call things for what they are – these are ads, and the links have been paid for. They are not organic and are there to influence the websites that you browse and shops you go to when trying to buy a service or an item online.

Each time such a click is made, the developers of the app receive a commission – it's like a way of monetization. While there is nothing wrong with it, you should look at it from your own perspective since you do not receive “improved” search results but ads. In other words, the hijacker does not provide any benefit for you in the long run – you simply add another third party that is able to collect your data and monetize your clicks.

In order to remove the extension, you should access the settings of your Chrome browser and perform the following steps:

• Click on three vertical dots at the top-right corner of your web browser
• Go to More Tools > Extensions
• Here, click Remove next to the unwanted add-on
• Now go to Menu > Settings and select Clear browsing data
• Under time range, pick All time and select all three options (you can leave browsing history if you want) and click Clear data.
  

The instructions for other web browsers can be found at the bottom of this post.

The “personal information” problem

Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and many other tech giants collect a variety of personal data about you when you use your service. Additionally, any website that your visit is likely to capture your IP address, device data, and other technical details. This information is used for various purposes, such as maintaining the service, providing the best user experience, etc. And of course, it is also often used for marketing purposes.

Thanks to regulations such as GDPR,^[1] users are now more protected from inadequate data gathering and have the right to withdraw the gathered information at any time. However, these restrictions go a long way, and there are many “buts.” GDPR regulation is only valid in the EU territory, meaning users from outside of this area are not protected in the same way.

Additionally, you should consider data breaches. Cybercriminals are hard at work to breach companies (high-profile ones even) and steal various customer data relatively easily.^[2] This means that the more parties you share your information with, the more is the chance of it being stolen by malicious actors.

That being said, SearchFor.cc gathers a lot of information if such is provided by the user via the website, for example:

• Email address
• Device fingerprints
• Location (including Zip code, address)
• Payment information, etc.

The developer, Australian Clearing Pty Ltd, also discloses that it uses third-party tools to manage the website, which is capable of tracking data in the following way:^[3]

We also use third-party tools to facilitate, operate and manage our website. These tools use cookies and other tracking technologies. Such tools are created and managed by parties outside our control. As such, Australian Clearing Pty Ltd is not responsible for what information is actually captured by such third parties or how such third parties use and protect that information.

It is probably very clear that this search site is not the one to choose if you care about your privacy, and we strongly recommend you get rid of the hijacker to stop these practices.

Keep in mind that simply by deleting the app, you might leave the mentioned tracking technologies on your web browsers intact – these might be able to continue monitoring your data. Thus, we recommend you follow the detailed instructions below on how to clean your browser effectively or use FortectIntego if you want to take care of your privacy efficiently.