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  • Active
  • Severity: High
  • Stealing programs
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Mar 2018

How to remove Search.searchcoun2.com

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

Gabriel E. Hall · Passionate web researcher

Search.searchcoun2.com is a browser hijacker that replaces default search engine

Search.searchcoun2.com 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.

Search.searchcoun2.com browser hijacker

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.

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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