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  • Active
  • Severity: High
  • Stealing programs
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Jun 2017

How to remove Search.grooviemovie.info virus

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Linas Kiguolis · Expert in social media

Search.grooviemovie.info infects computers to push sponsored content to victims

Image of Search.grooviemovie.info search engine

Search.grooviemovie.info virus looks like an ordinary search engine though it functions as a browser hijacker. Typically, it replaces homepage and default new tab settings in user’s browsers and also sets itself as the main web search provider.

Consequently, the browser launches hxxp://search.searchlvs.com/ automatically whenever a user attempts to open a new tab, browser window or perform a search via the address bar. Netizens accidentally enable the hijack[1] after installing questionable free software. The browser infection that takes control of the web browsers is considered to be a potentially unwanted program (PUP). It implements these activities:

  • Starts causing redirections to fishy websites as soon as the victim clicks on the search results;
  • Slows down the computer performance;
  • Collects data that describes user's browsing habits: search queries, visited sites, time spent on them, and even more.

At first, this search engine looks like a completely regular search tool, so the appearance of it likely won’t raise any suspicions. Even if it looks somehow different, users typically use it for web searches anyway. Sadly, soon enough, they find out that there is something suspicious behind this utility.

Eventually, redirects to highly suspicious affiliate websites become an annoying phenomenon. Likewise, you may soon get bothered by Search.grooviemovie.info redirect. Furthermore, the PUP is fully compatible with both, Windows and Mac OS systems, and Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla browsers.

Unfortunately, the search tool does not check the reliability of these sites precisely enough to ensure hazard-free search experience for its users. In fact, it is highly doubtful that developers of search.grooviemovie.info actually care about user satisfaction at all.

The main problem is that this highly controversial program is set to function as a tool that generates pay-per-click revenue for its developers. Therefore, it employs tracking cookies[2] to spy on user’s browsing activities and find out what websites the user visits most frequently, what does one search online, and what kind of ads tempt him/her to click and explore provided offers.

Collected information can be used for selection of targeted ads, but it can also be shared with third-parties. Although the pieces of data this hijacker targets do not belong to personally identifiable information category, user’s search queries can contain such details.

Search.grooviemovie.info virus

If you care about your privacy and you do not want to be sharing such information with GroovieMovie developers (Imali Media, Ltd.), we suggest you to remove Search.grooviemovie.info right away. FortectIntego or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes can be used for automatic removal, or, if you prefer, remove the hijacker manually. For your convenience, we added Search.grooviemovie.info removal tutorial at the end of the article.

Distributing potentially unwanted programs has never been so easy

Nowadays, developers of potentially unwanted software such as Groovie Movie simply need to attach it to more popular programs and distribute it in tandem with them. Such software bundles help software developers trick users into thinking that they’re installing a single program, while in reality, they receive a whole pack of them.

Software bundles almost always look like one individual program. Therefore, it is a must to check what’s behind Custom/Advanced installation options. These options allow changing and modifying components of your download, whereas traditional Standard/Default installation options usually do not allow making such changes.

Computer users tend to install new software hastily by repetitiously clicking the “Next” button; therefore they overlook information written in fine print and install their downloads with suggested settings, placing all bundled software on their computers without realizing it.

Computer security is a matter of an utmost importance nowadays, so better spend a couple of additional minutes checking what’s stated in the software installation wizards rather than wasting hours trying to remove potentially unwanted programs later on.

Eliminate Groovie Movie PUP using expert tips

Although browser hijackers are considered to be quite bothersome and even malicious programs, we are sure that you will remove Search.grooviemovie.info virus easily. We prepared a comprehensive guide for those who want to eliminate virtual parasites manually. 

However, we strongly advise you to scan the PC with automatic spyware/malware removal software afterward. This way, you will perform a complete and precise Search.grooviemovie.info removal. If you expect to get rid of all source and secondary PUP files, you may combine manual and automatic termination 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

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