Search-7.com: what it is and how to remove it
Search-7.com is a questionable URL that can settle down on any web browser as a default start page and search engine without authorization. The search has been developed by SEARCH TECHNOLOGY Ltd and attempts to impersonate legitimate search sites, such as Google or Bing.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Search-7.com: summary
| Name | Search-7.com |
|---|---|
| Developer | SEARCH TECHNOLOGY Ltd |
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Sub-type | Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) |
| Side effects | Alters web browser's settings without authorization. Can set Search-7.com as a start page, new tab URL, and search tool |
| Intrusive behavior | The search is basically used for the delivery of sponsored content and money-making from advertising. Therefore, it may display filtered search results, inject third-party ads on random websites, and trigger continuous redirects through doubtful domains |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 10 more facts
| Danger | The danger is potential. The search is affiliated with various advertising companies, but it's not responsible for the content that they display. Thus, you may be represented with links and ads that reroute to insecure sites |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | A changed search engine |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Search page | search-7.com |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 30 June 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What Search-7.com changes in your browser
SEARCH TECHNOLOGY Ltd may collect two types of information: 1) Personal Information, and 2(Anonymous Information. Personal Information means information that may directly or indirectly identify you, such as your name, address, email address, and telephone number. Anonymous Information means information that does not directly or indirectly identify you, such as the number of page views, link clicks, and login times.
Is Search-7.com dangerous? What it collects
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
Search-7.com is a rogue search engine that may display sponsored content and take full control over online traffic
Search-7.com is a questionable URL that can settle down on any web browser as a default start page and search engine without authorization.
The search has been developed by SEARCH TECHNOLOGY Ltd and attempts to impersonate legitimate search sites, such as Google or Bing. However, it should not be treated in the same manner as well-known search sites as it has hidden intentions, i.e. to display filtered search results, reroute visitors to sponsored sites, and inject web browsers with advertising material.
Although it looks like a legitimate application, some reputable AV engines detect it as malware and consider it to be malicious. Besides, security experts admit that it's one of the browser-hijacking tools that fall for the potentially unwanted program (PUP) subcategory. Search-7.com virus is typically distributed via freeware packages as an "optional" extension, though it can hardly be opted out since it is usually disguised under Quick installation.
Those who experience Search-7.com redirects every day should better eliminate this browser tool to prevent security and privacy-related issues in the future. Based on recent research, this dubious application can track users by automatically capturing information, injecting tracking cookies, using web beacons, and third-party trackers to obtain both personally and non-personally identifiable information about its users.
Besides, it allows third parties, affiliates, and advertising companies to display sponsored content, thus posing users' risk of being exposed to inappropriate domains.
Search-7.com removal is not a must if you approve of the service that this search site provides. However, we'd like to warn you that it may trigger various problems and initiate unauthorized browser's alterations using administrative privileges and subsequently cause various browsing-related inconveniences.
Browser hijackers like Search-7.com primarily focus on the needs of affiliated parties as they get commission fees for sales that users make after clicking on provided sponsored links, pay-per-click revenue gained from the delivery of sponsored ads, and others. Therefore, performance is expected to be more intrusive than useful.
Experts recommend users to remove Search-7.com virus from any web browser because it poses a potential danger by injecting related files, programs, and entries that may control rebooting. In general, browser hijackers attempt to keep themself more persistent and prolong the time of existence.
However, in many cases, people do not notice Search-7.com infiltration until the following symptoms occur:
Apart from rather aggressive Search-7.com ads and ongoing redirects to sponsored sites, the removal of this PUP is recommended for privacy protection. As pointed out in the Privacy Policy of the search, it employs several techniques to record both personal and non-personal information about its users:
The developer indicates that the Search-7.com virus may be used for harvesting the following details:
Not only gathered information is used by the Search-7.com search. It may also be shared with affiliate parties, subsidiary companies, advertising companies, ad networks, etc. Consequently, you may expect to receive more and more specialized offers or experience redirects to domains that should supposedly raise your interest.
Unfortunately, some of the ads or links may reroute to phishing sites, scam sites, or malware download websites like Flvto Youtube Downloader, Website Security Checker, Winner Download Manager, and others.
Therefore, we strongly recommend you to employ a professional anti-malware tool and remove Search-7.com hijacker to protect your privacy and improve online security. Besides, to prevent reinstall of this malware, employ , which may help you to get rid of useless registries and other related entries.
- the start page, search provider, new tab, and other browser's settings get related to Search-7.com;
- an attempt to visit the required website ends up with redirects to this site;
- some unfamiliar toolbars, extensions, and add-ons may be enabled without permission;
- web browser's speed diminishes significantly.
- name
- email address
- information you provided in public forums and/or social networks
- information you provided us including your device identifier
- IP address when you use the Site
- browsing history
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
Being careful online can protect your privacy and ensure PCs security
All you need online is a bit of carefulness and a powerful security tool.
Internet is full of temptations, such as dating, gambling, porn, gaming sites, and whatnot. However, it exerts from virusai.lt recommend being extremely cautious when visiting such sites as they often contain dangerous content (ads, hyperlinks, fake software updates, etc.) that can be used for spreading malware and viruses.
Nevertheless, malware, browser hijackers, adware, and other intrusive browser-based apps can lurker in unexpected places, for instance, freeware installation setup. Applications that are distributed on shady third-party sites are often bundled with browser add-ons and toolbars, which travel as pre-selected items.
Consequently, if the user does not pay attention to the Terms, EULA, Privacy Policy, and skips installation setup windows, he or she is very likely to end up with a web browser hijacked.
To prevent such happening, you should carefully select the freeware and its download source. Besides, it's advisable to read all information provided on the freeware installation wizard as you may be informed about a default installation of apps that you are not willing to install. To unpack the bundle, all you have to do is to remove the checkmarks next to the additional components.
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Search-7.com
- Browser hijackers tend to create many registry entries that may be eliminated with tool to ensure a full system's optimization
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
search-7.com
How to remove Search-7.com
How to remove Search-7.com and get your search engine back
Remove the extension first.
The search settings only stay fixed once nothing on the PC can change them again.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
Search-7.com often works through an extension, so go through the extension list of each browser:
chrome://extensionsedge://extensions- Extensions and themes in Firefox
Switch suspicious extensions off one at a time and reload the page where the problem shows, then remove the one that stops it, and any other you did not add.
Remember the other browsers and profiles on the PC. If Remove is missing or greyed out, a policy forces the extension, which the policy step deals with. Windows 11 and Windows 10 show the same pages.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Put the search engine back and delete search-7.com
Searches that pass through
search-7.commean the browser's default search engine was replaced. Chrome: Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, then Make default on Google, Bing or another engine you chose, and Delete on search-7.com.Edge has the same list under Manage search engines (search the Settings page for it), and Firefox under Settings > Search.
Look at On startup and the homepage settings too and remove the hijacker's address there. Nothing in this step differs between Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11, or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10, and sort the list by install date. Look at what appeared around the day the problem started and uninstall every program you do not recognise or did not choose.
Free converters, PDF and video tools, "system optimizers" and unknown browsers are the usual carriers of Search-7.com. If a name is unclear, search for it before you remove it, so you do not uninstall a driver or a Windows component.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 4: Reset the browser
Finish the browser part with a reset, which puts the search engine, start page, new tab page and site permissions back to their defaults and switches extensions off. Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.
Edge: Settings > Reset settings. Firefox: Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox, which also removes its extensions. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are kept, and the menus are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.
Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Uninstall from Windows
The following tutorial explains how to eliminate PUPs from Windows OS without using automatic malware removal programs.
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.
Remove from Google Chrome
Search-7.com extension can be enabled on Chrome without your permission. In order to get rid of it, use this guide.
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.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
If a browser hijacker distorted your web browser settings, restore them for good. Microsoft Edge settings can be recovered by following these steps:
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.
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.
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.
Delete from macOS
If theSearch-7.com redirect virus disrupts your web browsing activities on Mac OS, follow this guide to clean it from malware.
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.
Protect your privacy - employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private - you can access an incognito tab.
However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise.
Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers - human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence.
In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market - it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
From our report of Jun 2020 · not reviewed since
Eliminate Search-7.com malware from the system to prevent advertising
Search-7.com removal process depends on the type of device that it managed to infiltrate.
According to experts, it can enter Windows PCs, Mac devices, and even mobile devices. Anyway, the easiest way to remove it is to use a professional anti-malware tool, which automatically terminates all PUPs from the system.
However, when the Search-7.com virus infiltrates the system, not only it injects browser-based entries but also establishes a connection with some system apps and creates some registry entries. While PUPs can be eliminated automatically with a proper tool, browser has to be reset manually as explained in the guide below.
Besides, users should ensure the proper maintenance of the machine. Leaving irrelevant registry entries and other PUP0-related files eventually cache the system and may diminish its performance. Therefore, upon a full Search-7.com removal, use utility to optimize the system and increase its performance.
Questions about Search-7.com
Why does my search engine keep changing to search-7.com?
Because something keeps setting it. An extension can change the search engine every time the browser starts, and an ad-supported program in Windows can do it for every browser and re-add the extension after you remove it. Some hijackers also add a policy that locks the setting.
Changing the search engine back only works once the source is gone. Remove extensions you do not recognise, uninstall programs installed around the time search-7.com first appeared, and then set the search engine again. If it still returns, check the browser for the Managed by your organization message and follow the policy steps in this guide.
Did search-7.com come with a program I installed?
Most likely, yes. Search hijackers such as search-7.com usually arrive with free software, where an extra offer is pre-ticked in the installer, or as an extension that promises something useful, such as file conversion, maps, recipes or streaming.
Look at Settings, Apps, Installed apps sorted by install date: whatever was installed just before the search engine changed is the main suspect. Uninstall it, then remove any extension you do not recognise. In future, choose the custom or advanced option in installers and untick extra offers, and install extensions only from the official store pages of publishers you know.
Why do my searches go to search-7.com?
Because the browser's default search engine was changed to it. Search-7.com did that through an extension, a program or a browser policy, and as long as that source remains, the setting points to search-7.com.
The page then passes your query to a real search provider, so the results look almost normal, with extra sponsored links on top. Changing the search engine back on its own does not last, because the source resets it. Remove the extension or program first, then the policies if any, then set your own search engine.
Is it safe to keep searching with search-7.com?
We would not. Every query you type is logged by its operators and shared with their advertising partners, and the sponsored links at the top are chosen for payment, not relevance. Results that look like a download page or a support site may lead to scams.
The page will not damage Windows by itself, but there is no benefit in keeping it: the results come from another search engine anyway. Remove Search-7.com and use that search engine directly, by typing its address or choosing it in the browser settings.
Which browsers does Search-7.com affect?
We saw it in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. That does not mean the other browsers on your PC are safe: hijacker installers usually change every browser they find, and browser sync can carry an extension to other computers signed in to the same account.
Check the search engine, home page, new tab, extensions and policies in each browser you have, including ones you rarely open. Chrome and Edge profiles count separately, so switch to each profile and check it as well before you call the job done.
What does search-7.com know about me?
It knows what you searched for while it was your search engine, when, from which IP address and with which browser, and usually which results you opened. Tracking cookies let it connect those searches into a profile. It does not see your saved passwords or files.
After removing Search-7.com, delete the cookies and site data for search-7.com so the profile cannot be continued, and remove it from the browser's list of saved search engines. Signing out of important sites and back in also replaces session cookies.
I changed the search engine, but it switched back. Why?
The hijacker is still installed, and it rewrites the setting whenever the browser starts or the extension updates. Changing the setting is the last step, not the first. Find what controls it: the search settings page usually names the extension, and a greyed-out field means a policy.
Remove that source, restart the browser, then pick your search engine and delete the hijacker's entry from the list of saved search engines so it cannot be chosen by accident. Check again after a day, when extensions have had a chance to update.
Will resetting the browser remove Search-7.com?
A reset disables extensions, restores the default search engine, start page and new tab, and clears temporary data and cookies. It keeps bookmarks, history and saved passwords. For many hijackers that is enough.
It does not remove a program installed in Windows, policies in the registry, changes to the hosts file or DNS, or edited shortcuts, so Search-7.com can come back after a reset if one of those remains. Do the reset after removing the program and policies, not instead of it.
Would an ad blocker stop Search-7.com?
Not really. An ad blocker can hide some of the sponsored results on search-7.com, but it does not change your search engine back or remove the extension that set it. Your searches would still pass through the hijacker's servers and be logged.
Some ad blockers include tracking filters that block parts of the redirect chain, which can break searches altogether. Remove Search-7.com with the plan above; an ad blocker is a reasonable extra afterwards, from the official store only and from a developer with a long track record.
Will Fortect remove Search-7.com?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Search-7.com, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- VirusTotal: search-7.com analysis (read October 6, 2026)
- Virusai: SAUGUMO IR VIRUSŲ NAUJIENOS (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 6, 2026)