Search-Mode browser hijacker (virus) - Free Guide

Search-Mode browser hijacker Removal Guide

What is Search-Mode browser hijacker?

Search-Mode endangers the privacy of users by performing unwanted changes to their browsers

Search-ModeSearch-Mode affects browsers by changing the main settings

Search-Mode is a potentially unwanted program[1] that changes the key settings in browsers like the homepage, new tab address, and search engine. For this reason, it is classified as a browser hijacker. This application can also fill the browser with advertisements that can lead to shady pages. The search results become untrustworthy and might lead to misinformation.

Hijackers can affect all browsers that have the ability to add extensions. Generally, plugins are used to enhance the user experience by providing additional functions. Add-ons that block ads, dangerous pages, find the best coupon codes that give the biggest discounts while shopping online are especially popular.

These days, you can find an extension for almost anything you can imagine, so of course, a spike in popularity of these apps was not overlooked by fraudsters that want to exploit users for their own gain. Browser hijacker developers generate revenue from redirects, ad clicks or views, and data gathering.

NAME Search-Mode
TYPE Browser hijacker; potentially unwanted program
SYMPTOMS The main browser settings are changed, like the homepage, new tab address, and search engine, once the extension is added
DISTRIBUTION Shady websites, deceptive ads, freeware installations
DANGERS Search results can lead to misinformation; injected commercial content may disrupt the user experience and lead to dangerous pages
ELIMINATION Remove extensions by going to the browser settings; performing a scan with anti-malware tools is recommended
FURTHER STEPS Use a maintenance tool like FortectIntego to fix any remaining damage

The rise of potentially unwanted programs

PUPs have gained a huge boost with the increasing popularity of smartphones and tablets. Users have made a habit out of downloading apps freely from app stores. Many do not think much about it and test multiple apps by installing them on the system. Few think about the consequences or take their time to read what invisible tasks they will perform.

There are many applications that use advertising to fund their development and make it worthwhile. But in the past years, this turned into the sale of users' personal details and browsing histories to big marketing firms as fodder for targeted advertising.

Personal information harvesting by Search-Mode is achieved in a couple of different ways:

  • By installing a browser extension or program on your computer
  • By changing the default search engine to Search-Mode Search or Yahoo
  • By changing the homepage to searchmode.xyz

By initiating these changes, the app forces people to use only selected channels to access all their browsing activities. Sometimes users are tricked into wanting to install free apps by false advertising. Well-known company names are often used to make programs seem trustworthy. Some even have descriptions that blatantly lie about the functions that they provide.

Search-Mode browser hijackerSearch-Mode may collect browsing-related data

Generally, user data is gathered with the help of cookies[2] or other tracking technologies. Only a small percentage of people know that it is recommended to clear them from time to time, or they are simply too lazy to do so. That is why FortectIntego was developed. It is a handy repair tool that can optimize the machine and even fix corrupted files, registry issues, and system errors which is helpful, especially after virus infections.

Remove the extension

You can remove plugins by going to your browser settings. Step-by-step instructions for Chrome, MS Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer are available below:

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 the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

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 on Uninstall at the bottom.Remove extensions from Edge

MS Edge (Chromium)

  • Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  • Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Mozilla Firefox

  • 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 plugin and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Safari

  • Click Safari > Preferences…
  • In the new window, pick Extensions.
  • Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.Remove extensions from Safari

Internet Explorer:

  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

Remove applications that monetize your activity

Removing only the extension is not always effective. You might still experience the same symptoms. This is because you might have installed a PUA and not only a browser extension. In that case, the program will keep messing up your browser until you entirely remove it from your system. You can follow the guide for Windows and Mac machines:

Windows 10/8:

  1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 1
  3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
  4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
  5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
  6. Wait till the uninstallation process is complete and click OK.Uninstall from Windows 2

Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are a Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP
  3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
  4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
  5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
  6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Mac:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
  3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)Uninstall from Mac 1

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
  3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.Uninstall from Mac 2

Manual removal of a PUA can sometimes be tricky because the program can be disguised as a handy tool and have a completely different name. These are often installed from freeware[3] distribution sites as bundled software,[4] so often users do not even know about the existence of such a program.

Freeware page owners need to make money, so they include additional programs in the installers without disclosing that on the site, hoping that most people will not notice them. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happens most of the time as people find the installation process boring and rush through it.

If you want to avoid that happening in the future, follow these simple steps

  • Always choose the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation methods
  • Read the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Although that is a lengthy process, it can help identify if the software you are installing is safe and what permissions it asks for.
  • Check the file list and untick the boxes next to programs that you do not want to get

We recommend using professional security tools like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes to eliminate any PUAs that could be hiding in your system. Security software can scan your machine and detect suspicious processes working in the background of your PC. It can prevent the installations of such programs in the future by warning you about it as well.

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Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

How to prevent from getting browser hijacker

Access your website securely from any location

When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.

If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.

 

Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks

While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.

Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection. 

 

About the author
Olivia Morelli
Olivia Morelli - Ransomware analyst

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References