How to remove Search.searchicc.com virus

Search.searchicc.com – a bogus search engine that might provide altered results

Search.searchicc.com is a browser hijacker that replaces the affected browser’s homepage and default search engine with a suspicious search tool. This potentially unwanted program (PUP)^[1] is related to iCoupon Clipper browser extension and is distributed with it.

What is more, the main page of the search engine includes quick access to various websites that offer discounts and other shopping deals. Besides, you can also find shortcuts to popular email services, such as Yahoo and Gmail, Youtube, Amazon, etc.

Though, these links are the only useful feature of this program. This search engine is a creation of Polarity Technologies, Ltd., which is famous for developing numerous bogus applications. The purpose of Search.searchicc.com virus is to deliver commercial content in the form of search results or ads. Therefore it's unsafe to be used, and we're going to explain how to remove it.

name	search-searchicc-com-virus
Type	Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program
Symptoms	The PUP modifies default browser settings (homepage, new tab, search engine) and causes redirects to various unreliable websites
Risks	Privacy issues, infections with severe threats, financial losses
Distribution	Mainly software bundles, but could also be spread through fake Flash Player updates, deceptive ads, and other stealthy techniques
Elimination	To remove this threat and keep your device protected in the future, use a reliable anti-malware tool
System health fix	Erase tracking cookies and resolve system errors by running system diagnostics with the Fortect Intego repair tool

When your device is infected with the article's culprit, you can forget about finding helpful information quickly and browsing without being disturbed by annoying ads. However, links and ads might hide serious cyber threats^[2] and redirect to the sites designed to infect your PC or cause other harm.

After the hijack, this PUP modifies the browser’s settings and replaces the current homepage with a suspicious domain. Also, it might make entries in Registry, install browser helper objects, or alter various shortcuts to strengthen its presence. Since then, it starts tracking information about users’ activity.

According to the Privacy Policy, collected data might be not only used for improving services but also shared with third parties and advertising networks. As a result, you may find even more aggressive ads and increase your chances to deal with potentially dangerous Search.searchicc.com redirect issues.

Browser hijackers might be used as a tool to spread malicious software,^[3] trick users into visiting phishing sites, call fake tech support scam lines, etc. Nevertheless, this cyber pest is not dangerous itself; it can let you browse through insecure places and encounter harmful cyber infections.

Thus, you should not delay Search.searchicc.com removal if you want to protect yourself from losing your files, money,^[4] or identity. We suggest using Malwarebytes Malwarebytes, SpyHunter Combo Cleaner, or free software alike for automatic removal. If you are eager to remove it manually, at least use our comprehensive instructions posted below. Afterward, scan your device with Fortect Intego to ensure that it runs smoothly.

When does it hijack web browsers?

Search.searchicc.com virus might hijack the browser when installing iCoupon Clipper browser extension from Google Play or its official website. When you decide to install this add-on, which is supposed to deliver valid discount coupons, you also agree to make this search engine your default one.

Thus, if this extension is already in your browser, you should get rid of it together with this search tool. Search.searchicc.com hijack might also occur when downloading other software from the Internet. Bundling is a widely used technique for spreading PUPs, and this app is not an exception.

When downloading freeware or shareware, you might also be offered to install other third-party applications.^[5] If you opt for Advanced/Custom installation, you will be able to see the list of these offers and prevent them from stepping into the system.

If you see pre-selected statements saying that you agree to make Search.searchicc.com your default search engine, you should untick it. If there are any other programs offered to download, you should uncheck them too. We want to point out that Quick or Standard settings do not provide this function; thus, you should not use them.

What are Search.searchicc.com removal options?

There are two ways how you can remove Search.searchicc.com virus from the system. The first one suggests looking for the browser hijacker and deleting all of its files and components manually. Our prepared guidelines below will explain this procedure in more detail. Thus, if you find them clear, do not hesitate and start the removal.

However, if you leave some of the hijacker’s components, you might still see this search engine on your browser. If you want to avoid this disappointing situation, you should opt for the second option and remove Search.searchicc.com automatically. This method requires scanning the device with an anti-malware program.

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