How to remove Search.easytowatchtvnow.com

Search.easytowatchtvnow.com – a deceptive search engine categorized as a PUP

Search.easytowatchtvnow.com is a browser hijacker.^[1] That’s an international classification applied to apps that exhibit abnormal behavior on a target system and initiate unauthorized system’s modifications. While this hijacker is not malicious by its nature, it’s not a legitimate Yahoo-based search provider as its developer, Polarity Technologies Inc., claims.

It spreads in the form of Easy to Watch TV Now extension compatible with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Edge, and Safari. Using this software might result in privacy issues, additional PUP installation, or even malware infections. We'll help you remove the intruder ASAP.

Name	Search.easytowatchtvnow.com
Developer	Polarity Technologies Inc.
Type	Browser hijacker
Associated browser extension	Easy to Watch TV Now
Symptoms	Corrupted start page, search engine, URL address
Distribution	Freeware bundling, deceptive ads
Targeted web browsers	Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Edge, and Safari
Danger level	Low. Cannot harm the system directly. The risk of being exposed to dangerous content
Elimination	Download recommended security software to remove this and any other unwelcomed guests
System health	Run system diagnostics with the Fortect Intego software to repair virus damage

However, the word “compatible” is hardly appropriate here. This redirect virus seeks to corrupt the settings of the mentioned web browsers to start initiating doubtful marketing campaigns.^[2] Thus, if the unsuspecting PC’s user agrees to install the extension, web browser’s primary page, search provider, and a new tab URL are replaced with http://search.easytowatchtvnow.com/. These modifications are followed by:

installation of unwanted web browser’s extensions;
the increment of intrusive online ads;
continuous browser’s redirects to commercial web domains;
redirects to online survey sites and other suspicious domains;
failure to change start page and search provider to Google.com or another trustworthy one.

The purpose of the Easy to Watch TV Now is to initiate marketing campaigns. In other words, it seeks to promote its partners websites to generate income. However, the content included in the domains of its affiliates are not monitored, so relying on continuous redirects to Yahoo is at your own risk:

The Software may contain specific Third-Party components embedded therein (“Third-Party Components”). Such Third-Party Components are owned by their respective owners. You acknowledge and agree that the Third-Party Components are a proprietary product of their respective owners and licensors. You further acknowledge and agree that any and all right, title, and interest in and to the Third-Party Components, including associated intellectual property rights, are and shall remain the sole and exclusive property of their respective owners and licensors.

Following such scheme, the browser hijacker can increase visitor’s rate to partners' web domains. To maximize the profit, the virus can also display third-party ads (pop-ups, banners, interstitial ads, hyperlinks, etc.). The problem that concerns us the most is the reliability of the websites to which Search.easytowatchtvnow.com redirects users to. In some of the cases, after clicking on links and ads, you might be exposed to irrelevant or even dangerous content.

The necessity of PUP removal is not questionable. This search site is also capable of collecting user’s Search Data, including IP address, email address, name, and some other pieces of quite sensitive information.
It might not be that easy to uninstall virus from the system. Regular modification of web browser’s settings will not solve the problem. Once you restart your web browser, this unwanted search site will be reset by default.

To eliminate it, you should, first of all, delete all PUPs from the system and then get rid of browser hijacker-related objects from your web browser. The easiest way to do that is to run a full system scan with SpyHunter Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes Malwarebytes and then reset web browser’s settings to default.

Since the Search.easytowatchtvnow.com virus might have edited core system files and settings, a system tune-up is a must. There are tons of various optimizers, but we highly recommend using the patented and time-proven Fortect Intego system diagnostics tool that will look out for your device automatically.

Direct browser hijacker downloads are very rare

Some browser hijackers can be promoted as standalone apps from legitimate sources like Google Play Store. Nevertheless, usually, they get installed as freeware-dependent web browser extensions and add-ons. Unwanted search sites can be disclosed as useful tools for enhancing web browsing experience.

Such tools can be found in the freeware’s installation wizard under “recommended downloads” section. To unravel full package of a free application, it’s a must to opt for Advanced or Custom installation instead of Quick. This way, a couple of additional installation setup windows that contain unwanted attachments will be disclosed. All you have to do is to unmark additional components before the installation is finished.

According to NoVirus.uk^[3] cybersecurity research team, the main reason why installation of software bundles is not decreasing for so many years is people’s unawareness of “bundling” distribution method.

Eliminate Search.easytowatchtvnow.com virus

To remove Search.easytowatchtvnow.com virus from the system, you need to uninstall all PUPs, web browser extensions, and all related files from the system. To make the process easier, we recommend clearing up the system with the help of professional anti-malware utility. Additionally, reset your web browsers.

However, you can also use our detailed removal guidelines provided below. Make sure to perform each step in right order and reset your web browser’s settings in the end. This procedure will help you return your computer to its previous state.

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