Search.searchismfa.com (Free Instructions) - Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
Search.searchismfa.com Removal Guide
What is Search.searchismfa.com?
MyFlightApp – an intrusive browser extension that sets a new default browser search engine – Search.searchismfa.com
Search.searchismfa.com is a search engine that offers advanced functionality. It should be useful and improve the time online, as those promotional ads claim. Apart from delivering search results from Yahoo, it also allows planning trips. The main page includes links to sites that help to book or track flights, book airport parking, or hotels. However, these features should no trick you. It’s another potentially unwanted program (PUP)[1] created by Polarity Technologies. There is no value in the application or the search site because over time commercial material is the only thing you see on the screen.
| Name | Search.searchismfa.com |
|---|---|
| Type | PUP, browser hijacker |
| Related app | MyFlighApp extension |
| Distribution | Freeware installations, other PUPs, commercial content, online sites |
| Elimination | You should rely on anti-malware tools, so the machine is fully cleaned and cannot be affected by PUPs again |
| Recovery | Remember that various intruders can alter settings and trigger changes with your machine, so repair those affected files and recover the system using FortectIntego |
The so-called virus spreads as the MyFlightApp extension. However, you won’t be able to find it any legitimate app store. Hence, it spreads bundled with various free programs that you can download from the Internet.
Due to this shady distribution strategy, the virus can infiltrate the system silently. Then it starts operating as a browser hijacker. It means that after the hijack, it might:
- replace default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL address with search.searchismfa.com;
- redirect user’s search queries to Yahoo without leaving a chance to use another search engine;
- redirect to third-party websites that might provide misleading information or promote shady applications or services;
- display tons of ads;
- install add-ons, extensions, or other components without asking the user’s permission;
- track information about users and share aggregated details with partners.
All of these features diminish the browsing experience because the hijacker takes control over the targeted web browser. However, your security and privacy might be put at risk. Thus, it’s important to proceed with the virus removal as soon as it shows up on your browser’s startup page.
Browser hijackers are not the most dangerous cyber threats. However, the redirect tendencies are concerning. This PUP can redirect you to a third-party site when you click on a search result, link, ad, or other clickable content. The problem is that these sites might be infected and spread malware.[2]
The previously mentioned hijacker’s ability to collect and share information is also worrisome. The Privacy Policy tells that after the program hijacks, this application records your every step online. It not only tracks your search queries, recently visited websites or clicked ads, but some of the personally identifiable information.
We believe you will consider immediate MyFlightApp removal once we tell you that all aggregated details can be shared with third parties, including advertising networks. Therefore, in a couple of days, you might notice numerous ads or pop-ups appearing on your browser.
To avoid clicking on shady advertisements and get back control over your browser, you should scan the computer with SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, [d3[, or another anti-malware tool. Security software will help to remove Search.searchismfa.com within a couple of minutes.
Paying attention to software installation helps to protect your browser from being hijacked
The silent infiltration of PUPs or direct hijack is always unexpected. However, it happens when users do not install freeware or shareware correctly. According to security researchers from senzavirus.it,[3] the majority of users do the critical mistake – they use “Quick” or “Recommended” installation settings.
Note that this setup does not openly disclose “optional downloads” that often spread attached to free programs. However, all of these entries are still installed. To avoid such surprises, you have to switch to the “Advanced” installer and opt-out of all additional apps.
Eliminate the virus from your web browser
To remove Search.searchismfa.com from your homepage and set a reliable search engine as the default one, you have to get rid of all suspicious extensions, programs, or files that were installed on your PC.
Keep in mind that it’s not enough to uninstall MyFlightApp only. You have to carefully look up for other questionable entries that may have arrived on the system in the same bundle or have been installed by a browser hijacker.
You can follow the manual PUP removal instructions below. However, if they are complicated or the hijacker came back, opt for the automatic elimination with anti-malware software.
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.searchismfa.com. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
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)
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
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.searchismfa.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 browser hijacker
Protect your privacy – employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
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- ^ Margaret Rouse. PUP (potentially unwanted program). TechTarget. The network of technology focused web sites.
- ^ Nick Heath. Cryptomining malware spread via US, UK and Australian government sites. TechRepublic. News, tips, and advice for technology professionals.
- ^ SenzaVirus. SenzaVirus. Italian cyber security news.