How to remove Search.searchcounn.com virus

Search.searchcounn.com – a search engine that you should not trust

Search.searchcounn.com virus is an annoying browser hijacker^[1] that might suddenly replace your current homepage address with an unknown search engine. This suspicious search tool might be installed along with other freeware or CouponUnity application.

These two apps are closely related. The search engine's main page includes a toolbar with links to various discount coupon providers and offers quick access to the email services and other websites. However, neither these links nor a search engine is worth using and relying on.

Search.searchcounn.com browser hijacker was developed and distributed by the two shady developers of potentially unwanted programs – Eightpoint Technologies Ltd and Polarity Technologies Ltd. Similar search tools have already hijacked thousands of web browsers and forced users to browse through insecure commercial content.

Thus, if you do not want to be redirected to an infected website, click on a malware-laden ad,^[2] or tricked into installing rough software, remove the article's culprit immediately. To help you with that, we're going to explain two of the best options for doing that.

name	Search.searchcounn.com virus
Type	Potentially unwanted program, browser hijacker
Associated extensions	CouponUnity
Symptoms	Apart from the altered browser preferences (default search engine, new tab, homepage), users have also reported redirects to high-risk sites, diminished PC performance
Risks	Malware infections, PUP installation, privacy issues, monetary losses
Distribution	Fake Flash Player updates, software bundling
Elimination	Remove this browser intruder with reliable anti-malware software that will do the trick automatically
System fix	Use the Fortect Intego app to get rid of tracking cookies and repair virus damage

After Search.searchcounn.com hijack, the affected browser’s settings are altered. This search tool might replace the current homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL address. These modifications are needed to keep this search tool as long as possible on the affected PC. Browser hijackers are used as marketing tools.

Thus, developers generate revenue from clicks on the ads and boosted traffic to the sponsored websites. We want to point out that developers do not take responsibility for third-party content and what might happen to you on the affiliate’s website. Also, one of the main problems is related to not being able to find helpful information.

Using this search tool, you might enter an infected or misleading website where you can suffer from various cybercrimes.^[3] Although redirects are quite a considerable threat to your computer, this potentially unwanted program might also lead to privacy-related issues.

In the Privacy Policy, developers inform about data collection and usage. They mainly track non-personally identifiable information which might be shared or sold to third parties, business partners, or advertising networks. There’s no doubt that aggregated data is used for marketing purposes,^[4] you cannot be sure what might happen if details about you end up in the hands of cybercriminals.

However, Search.searchcounn.com removal will protect you and your computer from all possible damage. To accomplish it properly, use trustworthy software such as SpyHunter Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes Malwarebytes. If you're eager to do it yourself, at least use our step-by-step instructions at the bottom of the article. After the removal, use the Fortect Intego to fix any system irregularities.

When did the hijack occur?

Search.searchcounn.com virus does not spread or attack computers alone. It belongs to the group of potentially unwanted programs (PUP) that need permission to enter the system. Just like regular software, PUPs cannot be installed without the user’s approval. The tricky part here is that these apps can get indirect permission to enter the system.

This browser hijacker is attached to the software packages.^[5] Thus, when installing new programs downloaded from the Internet, you should always check whether you install a single program or a package. This can be done by using Advanced/Custom installation settings. This installation wizard reveals the list of third-party apps that are offered to download as well.

Also, you might find a pre-selected statement agreeing to change your current search engine. You need to deselect all these offers without consideration. They are barely helpful and might cause more problems in the future. Sadly, the majority of users opt for Quick or Standard settings, which do not disclose additional downloads. As a result, all PUPs are installed secretly.

How can I uninstall Search.searchcounn.com virus from my browser entirely?

The quickest and most effective way to remove Search.searchcounn.com is to scan the computer with security software. Malware removal programs not only detect all hijacker-related components but also might detect other suspicious entries hiding on the system.

There’s a chance that other PUPs were installed on your device too. However, if you do not prefer using additional software, you can follow our prepared manual removal instructions. Please be vigilant. If you leave some suspicious files or apps installed, you might soon experience another hijack.

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.

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