Description of the Search-megunda.com virus
Search-megunda.com virus is a browser hijacker[1] that spreads bundled with freeware and shareware. This potentially unwanted program (PUP)[2] targets all popular web browsers and modifies their settings. These modifications include changed homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL address. After hijack, users notice this bogus website, every time they launch the web browser or new tab. Apart from these modifications, Search-megunda.com browser hijacker initiates unwanted redirects, provides ads and alters search results. Using this suspicious search tool, it might be hard to find useful information because hijacker can replace relevant links with sponsored content. Search engines like this are created for boosting traffic to particular websites and generating revenue from affiliate and pay-per-click marketing methods. There’s no doubt that developers are interested in getting as much money as possible and they barely care about this search engine’s users. One of the main reasons why you should stop using, and even better, remove Search-megunda.com from your computer is that some of the delivered search results might lead to the dangerous websites. It seems that developers of the malware are willing to use these shady services and tricking users visiting phishing[3] or infected websites. Probably, you can realize that after one accidental visit you might lose your personal data and encounter a hazardous malware.
As we already mentioned, Search-megunda.com virus is also capable of delivering online ads. Keep in mind that advertisements might hide some malicious content as well, so it’s better to stay away from them. Suspicious ads might appear on legitimate websites as well, and they might be hard to differ from legitimate ones. However, they might be placed in random places on the website or cover necessary content – it’s one of the main criteria how to spot potentially dangerous ads. After Search-megunda.com hijack you might also notice that some ads have the same keywords that you used for your recent searches. It might happen due to another hijacker’s feature – ability to track users data. Usually, potentially unwanted program collect non-personally identifiable[4] and browsing-related information, such as browsing history, search queries, visited websites, times spent online, IP address, etc. This information allows building user’s profile and provide him or her “interesting” and relevant commercial content. However, aggregated data might be shared with shady third-parties, and then you might be flooded with unwanted ads, pop-ups, and even newsletters. If these perspectives don’t look exciting for you, start Search-megunda.com removal right now. Scan your computer with an up-to-date anti-malware program (e.g. FortectIntego, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner) and let it eliminate browser hijacker with all its components.

How does hijacker spread?
Search-megunda.com hijacker spreads as an optional component in the software package. The majority of free programs that users download from various online sources include potentially unwanted programs[5], so it’s important to check whether you install a single program or a package. Popular “Quick” or “Recommended” settings don’t have this function and using them you give indirect permission to install all additional apps along with the primary program. For software installation always use “Advanced” or “Custom” installation mode and carefully check each step. If you see the list of pre-selected optional program, deselect them and continue the installation. It’s the only way to protect your computer from PUPs.
Tips on Search-megunda.com elimination
If you got sick of Search-megunda.com redirect problems and suspicious links appearing in your search results, it’s time to think about hijacker’s removal options. Browser hijacker is not a complex and hard to remove this cyber infection, so you can eliminate it manually and automatically. Our team has prepared manual Search-megunda.com removal instructions that are presented below. Bear in mind that it’s crucial to delete all virus-related components because if you leave something, you might face another hijack soon. However, it’s easier to remove Search-megunda.com automatically. Using professional malware removal tools you can be sure that your computer is virus free and protected from the further hijacks.
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.
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.

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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