☰
Severity scale:  
  (9/100)

Remove Search.searchcounn.com virus (Free Instructions) - Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge

removal by Lucia Danes - - | Type: Browser hijacker
3 comments
1 solved questions
29662 views

Why shouldn’t you trust Search.searchcounn.com search engine?

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 main page of the search engine 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 the infected website, click on a malware-laden ad[2] or tricked into installing rough software, remove Search.searchcounn.com immediately. If this program sneaked inside your device unnoticed, please run a full system scan with ReimageIntego or another anti-malware tool.

Illustration of Search.searchcounn.com virusSearch.searchcounn.com is a questionable search engine that might hijack web browser after installing freeware or shareware.

Questions about Search.searchcounn.com virus

After Search.searchcounn.com hijack, the affected browser’s settings are altered. This search tool might replace 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 affiliate’s website. One of the main Search.searchcounn.com redirect problems are related not to the inability to find useful information. Using this search tool you might enter an infected or misleading website where you can suffer from various cyber crimes.[3] Although redirects are quite a huge 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 mostly track non-personally identifiable information with 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 a hands of cyber criminals. However, Search.searchcounn.com removal will protect you and your computer from all possible damage.

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 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 to Search.searchcounn.com or another unknown search tool. You need deselect all these offers without consideration. They are barely useful and might cause more problems in the future. Sadly, the majority of users opt for Quick or Standard settings, which do not disclose about additional downloads. As a result, all PUPs are installed secretly.

How can I delete 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 detects 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 Search.searchcounn.com removal instructions. Please be vigilant. If you leave some suspicious files or apps installed, you might soon experience another hijack.

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.

Offer
do it now!
Download
Reimage Happiness
Guarantee Download
Intego Happiness
Guarantee
Compatible with Microsoft Windows Supported versions Compatible with OS X Supported versions
What to do if failed?
If you failed to remove virus damage using Reimage Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Reimage Intego has a free limited scanner. Reimage 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.
Press mentions on Reimage
press
Reimage review | Terms of Use | Privacy policy | Refund Policy | Press | Uninstall guide Uninstall guide
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Reimage, try running SpyHunter 5.
Download SpyHunter 5 Review »
Privacy policy | Terms of Use | Product Refund Policy | Uninstall Instructions
Malwarebytes
Download | Review | Privacy policy | Terms of Use | Product Refund Policy | Uninstall Instructions
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.
Download Combo Cleaner Review »
Privacy policy | Terms of Use | Product Refund Policy | Uninstall Instructions

To remove Search.searchcounn.com virus, follow these steps:

Remove Search.searchcounn.com from Windows systems

The guidelines below will help you to remove Search.searchcounn.com from the Windows device. From the list of installed programs, delete all suspicious applications that you do not remember installing. They might be related to the browser hijacker.

  1. Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs). Click 'Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features' (if you are 'Windows XP' user, click on 'Add/Remove Programs').
  2. If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program. If you are 'Windows 10 / Windows 8' user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once 'Quick Access Menu' shows up, select 'Control Panel' and 'Uninstall a Program'.
  3. Uninstall Search.searchcounn.com and related programs
    Here, look for Search.searchcounn.com or any other recently installed suspicious programs.
  4. Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes. Right click on each of suspicious entries and select 'Uninstall'
  5. Remove Search.searchcounn.com from Windows shortcuts
    Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties. Right click on browsers' icon and select 'Properties'
  6. Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus. Select 'Shortcut' tab and delete 'http://isearch.babylon.com...' or other suspicious URL

Repeat steps that are given above with all browsers' shortcuts, including Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Make sure you check all locations of these shortcuts, including Desktop, Start Menu and taskbar.

Get rid of Search.searchcounn.com from Mac OS X system

Search.searchcounn.com browser hijacker mostly aims at the Windows OS users. However, if your Mac has suffered from this pest, please follow the instructions carefully. You need to find and delete all hijacker-related components.

If your macOS is displaying some infection symptoms, proceed with the following guide:

Remove Search.searchcounn.com from Applications folder:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for Search.searchcounn.com-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 Search.searchcounn.com, 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 related to Search.searchcounn.com and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the Search.searchcounn.com-related entries.Uninstall from Mac 2

Delete Search.searchcounn.com from Internet Explorer (IE)

From the list of add-ons you should remove all suspicious entries developed by Polarity Technologies or Eightpoint Technologies. Also, reset Internet Explorer as shown below.

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 Search.searchcounn.com and other 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 again to complete Search.searchcounn.com removal.Reset Internet Explorer

Uninstall Search.searchcounn.com virus from Microsoft Edge

Nevertheless, Microsoft Edge is quite new browser; it can still be hijacked. If Search.searchcounn.com became your homepage, please follow the instructions to get rid of this suspicious site.

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 Search.searchcounn.com-related extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click on Uninstall at the bottom.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 Privacy & security.
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.Clear Edge browsing data

Reset MS Edge if that 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

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.

  1. Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
  2. Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
  3. Right-click on them and pick DeleteAdvanced MS Edge reset 1
  4. Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  5. 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” -VerboseAdvanced MS Edge reset 2

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 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.Reset Chromium Edge

Erase Search.searchcounn.com from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Make sure that the list of Mozilla extensions hasn’t been expanded. If you find CouponUnity or other add-ons developed by Polarity Technologies or Eightpoint Technologies, get rid of the immediately. Also, don’t forget to reset browser’s settings in order to set your preferred search engine.

  1. Remove dangerous extensions
    Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. Click on menu icon and select 'Add-ons'
  2. Here, select Search.searchcounn.com and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries. Select 'Extensions' and look for malicious entries. Click 'Remove' to get rid of each of them
  3. Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
    Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General.
  4. Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
  5. Click OK to save these changes. When in 'General' tab, delete malicious URL from 'Home Page' section or click on 'Restore to Default' button. Click 'OK' to save changes
  6. Reset Mozilla Firefox
    Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. Click on menu icon and then on '?'. Select 'Troubleshooting Information'
  7. Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Search.searchcounn.com removal. Click on 'Reset Firefox' button for a couple of times

Eliminate Search.searchcounn.com from Google Chrome

Go to the list of extensions and uninstall all questionable entries from the Google Chrome. In order to remove Search.searchcounn.com hijacker from the browser entirely, reset the browser as shown below.

  1. Delete malicious plugins
    Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. Click on menu icon. Select 'Tools' and 'Extensions'
  2. Here, select Search.searchcounn.com and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries. Look for malicious entries and delete each of them by clicking on the Trash bin icon
  3. Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
    Click on menu icon and choose Settings.
  4. Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages. After clicking on menu and 'Settings', select 'Set pages'
  5. Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage. Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
  6. Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section. When in 'Settings', select 'Manage search engines...'
  7. When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name. Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
  8. Reset Google Chrome
    Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings.
  9. Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings. When in 'Settings', scroll down to 'Reset browser settings' button and click on it
  10. Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Search.searchcounn.com removal. Click on 'Reset' button to complete your removal

Remove Search.searchcounn.com from Safari

Follow the instructions to fix Safari after the Search.searchcounn.com hijack.

  1. Remove dangerous extensions
    Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. Click on 'Safari' and select 'Preferences'
  2. Here, select Extensions and look for Search.searchcounn.com or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them. Go to 'Extensions' and uninstall malicious add-ons
  3. Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
    Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General.
  4. Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by Search.searchcounn.com, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the "http://" before typing in the address of the page. When in 'General', delete malicious URL and enter your desired domain name
  5. Reset Safari
    Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... Click on 'Safari' and select 'Reset Safari...'
  6. Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Search.searchcounn.com removal process. Select all options and click on 'Reset' button

Do not let government spy on you

The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet. 

You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.

Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.

Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack

Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.

When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.

About the author
Lucia Danes
Lucia Danes - Virus researcher

If this free removal 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.

Contact Lucia Danes
About the company Esolutions

References

This entry was posted on 2017-04-06 at 06:56 and is filed under Stealing programs, Viruses.

  1. Ianthe says:
    April 7th, 2017 at 8:56 am

    What a hell?! I have no clue how this search engine hijacked my browser. I am so angry about it! But thanks for the instructions, you did a great job.

  2. Corinne says:
    April 7th, 2017 at 8:57 am

    well, at least this infection is not dangerous.

  3. Gio says:
    April 7th, 2017 at 8:58 am

    I scanned my computer with Reimage and it found more infections, not only search.searchcounn.com :/

Your opinion regarding Search.searchcounn.com virus