Remove Search.search-settings.com virus (Removal Instructions) - Free Instructions
Search.search-settings.com redirect virus silently collects your search queries and serves ads
Search.search-settings.com is an untrustworthy search manager that can be installed on your computer without your knowledge. After infiltrating the computer system, it will replace the homepage in Chrome browser and set http://Search.search-settings.com/ as default search provider. Cyber security experts suggest avoiding this suspicious search tool as it can serve dangerous ads in a form of search results.
Search.search-settings.com virus arrives in the form of Search Settings extension that installs itself on Google Chrome browser. This browser extension[1] requires user’s permission to:
- Change privacy related settings;
- Read/Change data on sites user visits;
- Change search settings to Search.search-settings.com.
Please pay attention that this highly questionable browser add-on intrusively asks to modify your privacy-related settings, which is never a good idea. It is one of the primary reasons why we recommend you to remove Search.search-settings.com.
Also, this sneaky browser hijacker collects data that reveals user’s interests. For instance, it tracks one’s search queries, browsing history, IP address, impressions, and other data. As a consequence, the collected data reaches a special database, and from there it can be shared with third-parties such as ad networks.
Expect to see many sponsored links in search results you receive. In fact, this browser hijacker first sends your search queries to SafestSearches.com search engine before landing you on the final results’ page. Such redirects should not be tolerated.
Finally, the worst part is that clicking on search results provided by this search engine can trigger redirects to external websites that might be dangerous. It is highly likely since this hijacker is developed by a company that has also developed such potentially unwanted programs such as Search-select.co or search-selector.co(which is extremely prevalent in Germany[2]).
Similar browser hijackers are meant to generate pay-per-click revenue for their developers for serving paid links; however, they hardly check the security of those sites before adding them to search results.
We strongly recommend you to initiate Search.search-settings.com removal. It can be completed with the help of an anti-spyware tool (for instance, ReimageIntego) or instructions provided below the article.
Search.search-settings.com virus sneaks into the system as "Search Settings" extension. It alters browser's settings and asks for intrusive permissions.
Avoid installing unwanted ad-supported programs
The easiest way to keep your PC spyware-free is to monitor the installation of free software carefully. It is an absolute must to check what settings you select for the installation, too. It is the only way to avoid installing bundled software unknowingly[3].
Many people tend to rely on Standard, Express, Recommended or Default installation options that almost always hide statements granting user’s permission to install and try “recommended” software such as browser toolbars or suspicious search tools.
To reject unwanted programs, one must choose Custom or Advanced settings for software installation. It can be done via software installation wizard. After choosing the right settings, the user might see a couple of check boxes next to suggestions to perform specific changes on the system or install extra programs.
These check boxes must be deselected in order to avoid installing potentially unwanted programs.
Remove Search.search-settings.com hijacker for good
The main reason to remove Search.search-settings.com virus is that it tends to sneak into computers unnoticed and that it attempts to change privacy related settings on victim’s computer.
Such activity cannot be tolerated. Therefore, 2-spyware security experts strongly advise choosing a reliable anti-spyware software for the elimination of the browser hijacker.
However, there is an alternative Search.search-settings.com removal method available. You can also remove the described computer threat by using the instructions we prepared.
You may remove virus damage with a help of ReimageIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove Search.search-settings.com virus, follow these steps:
Get rid of Search.search-settings.com from Windows systems
Check your PC for software called similarly to Search Settings. Using the guide we provided, remove all questionable programs ASAP.
To remove Search.search-settings.com virus from Windows 10/8 machines, please follow these steps:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find entries related to Search.search-settings.com virus (or any other recently installed suspicious program).
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete Search.search-settings.com from Mac OS X system
If your macOS is displaying some infection symptoms, proceed with the following guide:
Remove Search.search-settings.com virus from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for Search.search-settings.com virus-related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove Search.search-settings.com virus, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries related to Search.search-settings.com virus and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the Search.search-settings.com virus-related entries.
Remove Search.search-settings.com from Internet Explorer (IE)
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 Search.search-settings.com virus and other 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 again to complete Search.search-settings.com virus removal.
Eliminate Search.search-settings.com virus 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 Search.search-settings.com virus-related extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.
Reset MS Edge if that 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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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 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.
Uninstall Search.search-settings.com 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 plugins that are related to Search.search-settings.com virus and click Remove.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Options.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data…
- Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear.
In case Search.search-settings.com virus did not get removed after following the instructions above, 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 – this should complete Search.search-settings.com virus removal.
Erase Search.search-settings.com from Google Chrome
Delete Search Settings extension from Chrome to put an end to unwanted redirects to Search.search-settings.com.
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 the suspicious plugins that might be related to Search.search-settings.com virus 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.
If the above-methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the Search.search-settings.com virus-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 to complete Search.search-settings.com virus removal.
Get rid of Search.search-settings.com from Safari
Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension related to Search.search-settings.com virus and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Search.search-settings.com registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: ReimageIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
- ^ Chris Hoffman. Browser Extensions Are a Privacy Nightmare: Stop Using So Many of Them. How-To Geek. For Geeks, By Geeks.
- ^ DieViren. DieViren. Malware Removal Tutorials.
- ^ Sabrina Berkenkopf. "Potentially Unwanted Programs": much more than just annoying. G Data Software Blog. Security News.
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