Remove Livemediasearch.run (Simple Removal Guide)

Livemediasearch.run – a browser hijacker that tries to appeal to users with “enhanced” functionality

Livemediasearch.run is a fake search engine associated with the Smart Music Search browser extension. The dubious application promises enhanced functionality. According to developers, it helps users to search music straight from their address bar.

Nevertheless, the program is a browser hijacker which affects Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and only serves the purpose of bringing financial gain for its developers, while the end-user is being spied on, as well as presented to a significant amount of sponsored content.

Name	Livemediasearch.run
Type	Browser hijacker
Sub-type	PUP (potentially unwanted program)
Danger level	Low. Affects only browsers, other computer systems and components remain untouched.
Purpose	To gain revenue for the developers by tricking victims.
Tricks users by	Providing fast access to various music and making it look like a comfortable feature.
Removal	You must use proper security applications to remove this and any other cyberthreats
System fix	Employ the Fortect Intego PC repair tool to fix all system-related errors automatically

Livemediasearch.run hijack can occur after users download and install shareware of freeware from the internet. Developers of unwanted programs often use the bundling technique for PUP distribution. This guarantees the infiltration of some computers, as users often tend to skip steps while installing new software from the internet and miss the opportunity to decline optional installs.

Although a browser hijacker is not considered to be malware, some users go as far as calling it a virus. Some security experts agree and call potentially unwanted programs “legal malware,” as it can compromise system's security by leading users to unsafe websites and injecting bogus programs by using scare tactics (such as survey or tech support scams).

Additionally, according to IT professionals^[1], browser hijackers usually gather non-personally identifiable information,^[2] which may include:

Pages visited;
Links clicked;
Search queries;
Saved bookmarks;
IP address;
Software information;
And other similar data.

Sometimes the browser hijacker might lead you to pages where unknown third parties may track your personal data, especially if you enter it into “required” fields. In order to avoid such harm, you need to remove Livemediasearch.run from your PC. We recommend doing that with the help of an anti-malware tool such as Malwarebytes Malwarebytes or SpyHunter Combo Cleaner. The complete process will take just a few minutes. Alternatively, you can use the guide for manual elimination prepared by our experts below.

What is more, Smart Music Search authors try to direct users to sponsored domains. This means that, whenever you search for shoes to buy online, the presented results will be not genuine ones, but covered in sponsored links. This guarantees increased traffic to less-known websites, as well as increases partners' sales and profits. In return, the hijacker's developers receive pay-per-click^[3] revenue.

However, the end-user is left with a bloated browser that displays ads whether he or she likes it or not, redirects to questionable sites, and tracks internet browsing activity, which some people may want to keep private. Searching for music online is easy, and, nowadays, there are plenty of legitimate platforms created, such as Spotify or SoundCloud.

Thus, if your homepage is hijacked, proceed with Livemediasearch.run removal, and use legitimate software instead. If you want your device as if you just bought it, we highly recommend using the Fortect Intego system diagnostics tool which will delete all tracking cookies and maintain core system settings at bay.

Distribution methods of PUPs, and ways to avoid them

As mentioned above, PUPs spread using deceitful methods. Browser hijackers and other dubious programs might be included together with freeware or shareware. This may lead to PUP multiplication and finally to malware infection. To avoid such consequences, download software from legitimate sources only.

However, potentially unwanted programs can also be included in the legitimate software, as well as its updates. Therefore, even if you are sure that the download is coming from a genuine source, pay attention to the installation process. Make sure to select Advanced/Custom installation mode instead of Recommended or Default one, and eliminate all optional components before the installation is finished.

In some cases, users are tricked into installing browser hijacking programs themselves. Authors of PUPs typically do not disclose the full functionality of their software and promise the benefit of using it instead. Nevertheless, as it should be clear by now, hijackers are unwanted guests on any computer and should be avoided at all costs.

Remove Smart Music Search to regain control of your browser

To remove Livemediasearch.run virus from your web browsers you will need to eliminate all harmful components that might have been provided by the browser hijacker. Delete all browser extensions, suspicious apps, and other bogus software. As soon as that is done, you will have to reset all installed browsers manually. You will find the instruction below.

Automatic removal can be performed as well and is highly recommended, especially if you are not that familiar with computers and their processes. Additionally, this method is a quick solution for anyone who does not want to spend too much on the elimination.

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.

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.

How to remove Livemediasearch.run

Livemediasearch.run – a browser hijacker that tries to appeal to users with “enhanced” functionality

Distribution methods of PUPs, and ways to avoid them