Skip to content
  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Dec 2020

How to remove IncognitoSearchNet

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

IncognitoSearchNet is the browser hijacker that aims to control the traffic with altered search results

IncognitoSearchNet

IncognitoSearchNet –  a potentially unwanted program that affects the time online because it alters the browser's settings and preferences. This is one out of many browser hijackers[1] that aim to show sponsored content, advertisements, promotional material, and other online content while the user is browsing the web, so associated third-party companies, sites, and advertisers get the attention, collect the views and page visits. There are more issues in regards to this third-party involvement. You should remove the intruder as soon as you notice the changed homepage, default search engine, or different settings and preferences. There is no value in using this page as a search provider or a browsing tool at all.

Name IncognitoSearchNet
Type Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program
IP address 104.31.90.135
Distribution Software bundle packages, deceptive ads, fake update prompts lead to the unnoticed installation of the PUA
Symptoms Unknown extension IncognitoSearchNet and other applications get installed on the system; homepage and new tab address are set to a customized search engine; search results are filled with sponsored hyperlinks and ads
Risks Installation of other potentially unwanted programs, privacy risks due to information gathering practices, financial losses
Removal You can uninstall potentially unwanted programs by following the manual guide below or by scanning the computer with powerful anti-malware. This is the faster way to remove IncognitoSearchNet
Optional steps Computer infections can cause significant damage to system files or disrupt normal settings, so run a full system check with FortectIntego to repair software or file damage

IncognitoSearchNet virus shouldn't be called like that because it is not a malicious program or an intruder that creates serious damage on the machine. There are tons of such browser hijackers that aim to perform particular actions while the user is browsing the web. This is a potentially unwanted program, not malware, but its relation with other PUP creators and intrusive applications can create more issues.

VideoSearchNetMovieSearchesIStreamingSearchFunSearchTodayHDMusicStreamSearchGetIncognitoSearch are the ones that resemble this intruder because all of these engines are running on the same technique and got developed by the same PUP creator. The aim of this IncognitoSearchNet hijack and other intruders remains the same.

Redirects and pop-up ads, reroutes, banners, other contents that appear due to the IncognitoSearchNet infiltration cal lead to malicious online sites and services that may trigger installations of malicious applications. You need to get rid of the PUP and make sure to remove all the traces on Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, other browsers. 

When you fully remove IncognitoSearchNet by using anti-malware tools or security applications like trusted SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, you can be sure that there is no possibility for the infection to repeat on the machine. PUPs can be intrusive and persistent, so you can have a difficult time while trying to fight the PUP with all the associated intruders manually.

IncognitoSearchNet PUP

Experts [2] recommend it more than perform IncognitoSearchNet removal with proper tools/ help. Security applications that run on the AV detection engine principles can find PUPs and other intruders that run on the machine and affect the experience for the user. 

Other potentially unwanted programs can easily find their way on the system once IncognitoSearchNet is running. Unfortunately, it is not easy to spot when the PUP got its way on the computer. The main issues with such intruders are silence and persistence.

You might also suffer from the damage that the infection creates. Unfortunately, intruders like IncognitoSearchNet can create issues with the machine in a serious way because the registry gets altered other system parts get affected. You need FortectIntego or a system tool that could find and even fix affected files or damaged programs. Do not forget about browser resetting too.

IncognitoSearchNet virus

PUP spreading methods rely on deceiving

The main way that such browser-based intruders get distributed involves misleading online messages, promotional ads, services that show commercial material, and advertisements. You should pay attention to any suspicious content and make sure to rely on trustworthy pages and software providers.

Freeware installation can result in a PUP installed on the machine without your knowledge at all. You can avoid such instances if you run a proper installation of the program by using Advanced or Custom options. This way you can avoid unwanted software bundling. Do not install programs from promotional advertisements[3] and always rely on systems security tools.

Clear the machine from any traces of the IncognitoSearchNet virus and other threats

IncognitoSearchNet removal can help you with the proper system performance improvement. There are various issues that can be created by the PUP infection. You shouldn't wait for too long and get rid of the intruder as soon as it is possible. The PUP might run in the background for a long while and trigger changes in the system folders and computer functions. 

The proper way to remove IncognitoSearchNet is by running an anti-malware tool with the AV detection engine functionalities, so the system is fully checked for any types of threats. This is the proper practice when fighting intruders with such persistent methods. 

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

Be the first to comment

Spyware news
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.