Search.searchcoun2.com (Removal Guide) - Easy Removal Guide
Search.searchcoun2.com Removal Guide
What is Search.searchcoun2.com?
Search.searchcoun2.com is a browser hijacker that replaces default search engine
Search.searchcoun2.com is questionable search engine developed by Polarity Technologies. This potentially unwanted application spreads as Coupon Unity extension in freeware bundles. Once inside, it might replace default search engine in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or another browser installed on the affected computer.
| Summary | |
| Name | Search.searchcoun2.com |
| Developer | Polarity Technologies |
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Danger level | Medium. Takes control over web browsers |
| Distribution method | Software bundles |
| To uninstall Search.searchcoun2.com, install FortectIntego and run a full system scan | |
The appearance of Search.searchcoun2.com virus typically leads to the diminished browsing experience, an increased amount of ads, and inability to set preferred search engine as default one. However, this Yahoo-based search engine might seem legit at first.
The main page of Search.searchcoun2.com includes links to popular social media websites, email services and gives shortcuts to various discount services. Just like the name of the Coupon Unity browser extension suggests, the program is supposed to provide shopping coupons, discounts and similar services that would enhance shopping online.
However, it’s a potentially unwanted program that does not give much of the benefits to the users. It is created to fulfill developers’ needs. The hijacker is used to generate revenue from online advertising, and this goal is achieved by completing some of these tasks:
- the hijacker sneaks into the system with the help of freeware or shareware;[1]
- alters Windows registry and browser’s settings to strengthen its presence and avoid Search.searchcoun2.com removal;
- sets Yahoo-based search engine instead of user’s preferred one;
- alters browser’s homepage and new tab URL address;
- triggers redirects to third-party websites;
- displays intrusive or misleading ads;[2]
- collects and possibly shares aggregated details with third-parties and advertising networks.
All of the following activities and changes are done without user’s permission. However, the hijacker not only complicates browsing sessions but might increase chances to suffer from cyber attacks due to Search.searchcoun2.com redirect tendencies.
After Coupon Unity hijack, users can be redirected to questionable websites that are used for various purposes. While some of them might be only promoting their services in a questionable way; others might spread malware or trick users into falling for tech support scams.
Additionally, data tracking capabilities allow creating targeted ads that might seem interesting to click. However, they might include malware or redirect to highly suspicious sites. Therefore, users are advised to stay away from clickable content that is displayed after the hijack and remove Search.searchcoun2.com as soon as possible. The best way to clean this cyber threat is to use FortectIntego.
A suspicious search engine is advertised in freeware downloads
This bogus search tool is promoted in freeware and shareware installers. During the installation, you might find an offer to install Coupon Unity add-on or set Search.searchcoun2.com as default search engine. However, in order to find and reject these suggestions, you have to use Advanced/Custom setup.
However, security specialists from LosVirus.es[3] warn that users usually opt for Quick/Recommended settings. The problem is that these settings do not reveal about third-party apps offered to install together with a primary program. What is worse, they are silently installed to the system. It goes without saying that you should not rely on these settings anymore.
Eliminate Search.searchcoun2.com virus from the browser
Search.searchcoun2.com removal can be performed in two ways. One of them is manual elimination which requires uninstalling all PUPs and suspicious browser extensions. After that, you have to reset all web browsers installed on your computer or laptop. For more information, check the instructions below.
The second method is simpler and suggests to remove Search.searchcoun2.com automatically. You will need to obtain anti-malware software, scan the system and after the scan, you have to reset affect browsers.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. 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.
Getting rid of Search.searchcoun2.com. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
To eliminate Search.searchcoun2.com, you have to get rid of all suspicious programs and reset web browsers:
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- 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 the entry of the 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 from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, 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 and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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 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.
Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
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, 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.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Uninstall Coupon Unity and other questionable add-ons that may have been installed without your knowledge of Mozilla Firefox.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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
Terminate unknown Chrome extensions and reset the browser:
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 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension 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.searchcoun2.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: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting stealing programs
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.
If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ Freeware vs. Shareware. Diffen. Comparison website.
- ^ Steven Melendez. A New Wave Of Bad Ads Is Hijacking Even Top-Tier Websites. Fast Company. Business-related news.
- ^ Los Virus. Los virus. Spanish cyber security news.