Mysearchency.com is a questionable search engine that seeks to monetize on advertisements
Mysearchency.com is a potentially unwanted application that enters users' machines as a package in a software bundle. The browser hijacker immediately changes settings of Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or other browsers and modifies the start page, new tab URL, and search engine.
All the search queries are redirected to Webcrawler.com, and the results are filled with sponsored links. It can also initiate unwanted behavior, such as redirect to sponsored websites that may not be safe, display pop-up ads on all the pages visited, and record non-personally identifiable information.
| Summary | |
| Name | Mysearchency.com |
| Type | Browser hijacker/PUP |
| Distribution | Software bundling, insecure websites |
| Main dangers | The hijacker can lead to unsafe sites where users can inject malware into their PCs or suffer from privacy issues |
| Symptoms | Altered web browser settings, redirects, ads, sponsored links, etc. |
| Elimination | Use our instructions below or security software that specializes in PUP removal |
| Optimization | We recommend using FortectIntego to fix the damage done by the hijacker |
Mysearchency.com is your typical browser hijacker that is created having one goal in mind: to monetize on pay-per-click revenue. The developer is a well-known PUP author that is responsible for such creations as the infamous Weknow.ac and many other unwanted applications.
Annoying sponsored links, redirects, and similar disturbances is not the only reason you should remove the article's culprit from your computer. The web pages you visit can redirect you to suspicious domains, such as phishing or hacked sites. While the former might trick you into installing bloatware[1] or paying for unneeded services, the latter can result in malware infections.
Hackers can intercept the traffic of a web page and inject a malicious script into it. In such a case, users do not need to download anything – the operation is performed automatically. Therefore, an unfortunate redirect from the PUP might result in keylogger, spyware, crypto-mining malware, or other infections.
Due to such behavior, some users might refer to the hijacker as a Mysearchency.com virus. They are partially right, although PUP authors cannot be liable for any type of infections or other consequences induced by it, as is explained in the Privacy Policy of the hijacker's official website:[2]
In order to clarify, we do not review, approve, monitor, endorse, warrant, or make any representations with respect to such Third Party Content and Services and your access to any Third Party Content and Services is at your own risk. We are not responsible for the information contained and/or made available through, the practices of, or your use or inability to use such Third Party Content and Services. You expressly relieve us from any and all liability arising from your use of such Third Party Content and Services.
Thus, do not trust Mysearchency.com search engine. Instead, use reputable ones, like Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc. Initially, the hijacker should be easy to get rid of. However, if you have more aggressive PUPs installed on your machine, it might be challenging to perform the removal. For that reason, we suggest you scan your device with reputable security software such as SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes and then use FortectIntego to fix all the damage done by the unwanted application.
Beware of bundled software – PUPs are hidden inside
Software bundling and a potentially unwanted program are two terms that often go together, as it is the most prominent distribution method. When done right, the marketing technique can help users try out the software for free before purchasing it and allows free app creators to earn some money. However, bundling is often abused, and optional components are often cleverly hidden under fine print, which is read just by a few.
Therefore, whenever you rush through the installation steps and skip the fine print, there is a high chance that you are letting a browser hijacker, adware, or another unwanted program in. To avoid the installation of unwanted content, experts advise the following:
- Download your software from official sources;
- Avoid third-party sites;
- Stay away from gambling, porn, and file-sharing sites;
- Read the fine print during the installation;
- Always opt for Advanced/Custom installation settings;
- Deselect tick boxes that are preselected to Remove all the optional installs.
Get rid of Mysearchency.com hijacker for a better browsing experience
Some users might not even pay attention to the fact that their homepage and search engine changed. In most cases, they do not know and the effects of the hijacker either. However, security experts[3] recommend staying away from potentially unwanted programs, as they can compromise security and negatively affect the web browsing experience.
Fortunately, Mysearchency.com removal should not be that complicated of a task. All you have to do is follow our step-by-step guide below and then reset each of your browsers. Suppose you are having trouble with it or don't have time for it. In that case, you can remove the threat automatically by using anti-virus software that specializes in PUP detection and elimination. Regardless of which method you choose, you are much better off without the app on your computer.
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.
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