123Search is a suspicious browser add-on you should avoid

123Search is a potentially unwanted program that was previously compatible with the Internet Explorer web browser. However, now you may find this program on each of your web browsers because adware, browser hijackers, and similar PUPs have been redesigned for that.
No matter that most PC users believe that 123Search is a harmless tool that can be used for searching the web and finding useful data, it may start initiating questionable activities on your computer. For example, it seems that this program can easily track your browsing on the web and may collect:
- your search terms;
- information about your mostly visited websites;
- Installed applications and technical device details;
- timestamps and website preferences, etc.
Please, do not reveal it to unknown parties because this may lead you to unexpected problems, such as tons of misleading mails in your inbox, annoying ads that can be selected according to your search habits, and similar issues. If you want to stay safe, you should avoid such programs.
Here, you should keep in mind that such programs may infiltrate your computer without your authorization because they have been actively promoted with the help of bundling. This distribution method is still considered harmless, but we believe that you should be careful with it.
Security researchers have been trying to spread awareness about deception surround software bundling, but it remains one of the main methods of how users get infected with PUPs:
When downloading apps from third-party sources, users tend to pay little attention to the installation instructions and all the components within. Freeware distributors are well aware of that, hence the technique is extremely effective to this day.
If 123Search hijacker has already appeared on your computer and you know that you have never downloaded it, you should waste no time and run a full system scan with FortectIntego or other reputable anti-spyware.
Browser hijackers can be avoided easily
123Search is a browser hijacker and a potentially unwanted program, which may infiltrate a computer with or without the user's approval. As we have already said, you should stay away from such programs and their official websites that are usually filled with misleading information.
Also, make sure you start monitoring the installation of the freeware because there are thousands of different applications that may trick you into installing PUPs and even viruses on your computer. In order to get the ability to see each of them, you should select only one of the following settings (instead of Recommended/Quick/Express ones):
- Custom;
- Advanced.
Also, make sure you uncheck check marks that allow the installation of optional components. If this program enters the system, it alters the computer's settings and displays unwanted commercial advertisements, in-text links, banner ads, and similar content.
While we can't declare that all of these ads are malicious, this can be said about most of them. That's why we highly recommend avoiding ads and removing this program from your computer. While it shouldn't be very hard to do that manually, we still believe that automatic 123Search removal and other PUPs are much easier.
Uninstall 123Search virus and all its related components easily
If you think that your PC has already been affected by the 123Search hijacker, you need to use the guide below and get rid of it because it may initiate a serious mess on your computer. You can easily uninstall programs from Windows or Mac operating systems with just a few clicks – we provide full instructions below. Keep in mind that browser hijackers and other PUPs populate various components within web browsers, so it is vital for cleaning them as well.
However, if you want to remove 123Search virus quickly, you can simply scan your device with reputable, up-to-date security software. This would also ensure that the machine is not infected with many more severe infections, such as Trojans, backdoors, rootkits, or viruses.
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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