Search.searchlef.com (Virus Removal Guide) - Free Instructions
Search.searchlef.com Removal Guide
What is Search.searchlef.com?
Search.searchlef.com is a browser hijacker which will not leave your PC without your help
Search.searchlef.com is another dubious application created by Polarity Technologies Ltd. It spreads around as Login Email Fast which is presented as a useful browser extension. However, it can also infiltrate Google Chrome or any other browser just like any other PUP[1] – with the help of bundling.
As soon as this browser hijacker settles down, it starts the suspicious activity by altering browser settings – typically, it changes the homepage, new tab URL and search engine to Search.searchlef.com.
Login Email Fast virus is identical to Your Easy Emails and tries to attract users by adding additional links to most popular email providers around – Outlook, Gmail, Hotmail, and Yahoo. Users might find this option useful; however, do not judge the book by its cover, as this dubious application is hiding much more than just valuable links on the front page.
Questionable distribution techniques, potential spying on users, unwanted redirects and undesired changes is what makes this application not a desired guest on your machine. Therefore, Search.searchlef.com removal should be your first option. You can implement a powerful security tool like FortectIntego to eliminate the virus.
As soon as search.searchlef.com virus hijacks the system, first symptoms are visible as soon as you launch your web browser. The modified search engine and the home page are noticeable straight after you start working on Chrome, Safari and other web search providers.
After noticing these changes, users might try resetting browser settings to go back to the desired provider. However, all the attempts to get rid of Search.searchlef.com are usually ineffective as browser hijacker merely re-applies its settings immediately. Additionally, some websites might be impossible to navigate to.
Search queries might bring you to search results that are not entirely genuine because developers of Login Email Fast only care about generating revenue by redirecting users to affiliated websites. However, they do not take any responsibility for the content of third-parties. Thus, you might end up on dangerous sites and obtain malware or get your personal information stolen if you provide it via a contaminated browser.
As soon as it is installed on the system, this shady program might collect various non-personally identifiable information, such as:
- IP address;
- Internet Service Provider;
- Geo-location;
- Search queries;
- Websites visited;
- Etc.
Research shows[2] that this data is collected to create a personal profile and then used to promote services or products that match your interests. Thus, developers make sure you will be shopping at their sponsors’ stores instead of shops of your liking.
Therefore, do not get manipulated by crooks and use your preferences. To do that, you must remove Search.searchlef.com. Once this procedure is finished, you will enjoy safe browsing again.
Search.searchlef.com hijacks your browser by modifying its settings Being attentive while installing software can prevent PUPs
Most inexperienced users do not understand how a PUP got on their machine. This specific weakness lets free software developers distribute adware and other unwanted programs together with desired applications.
Therefore, you should always be extremely vigilant when introducing freeware. When dealing with the installation process, make sure you pick Advanced/Custom mode instead of Recommended/Quick one as the latter will not properly disclose the full list of included programs. After choosing Advanced/Custom mode, make sure you do not rush the installation process and remove all the check-marks by additional components – such as toolbars, add-ons, optimization utilities and similar worthless apps.
It is always a good idea to keep away from illegal software[3] and its cracks as all kinds of malware can invade users machines that way. Additionally, websites of dubious content should not be visited either.
Simple guide to eliminate Search.searchlef.com from your system
If you are a computer-savvy individual, you should follow our guide below this article to remove Search.searchlef.com virus from your computer. Every step should be executed as shown in the tutorial. Otherwise, virus removal may be unsuccessful and it might reappear on your browser right after you reboot the system. Additionally, we do not recommend this method to users who are not that experienced with computers.
If you are one of those who are lacking IT-related skills, you should leave the elimination process of the virus to the professional security software. To remove Search.searchlef.com quickly and without much effort, download and install one of the security tools mentioned below.
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.searchlef.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
Follow these simple steps if you want to eliminate Search.searchlef.com permanently from Mac OS. You need to uninstall Login Email Fast and similar add-ons.
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
Do not forget to reset your Google Chrome browser settings to default after deleting the virus.
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.searchlef.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 stealing programs
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
- ^ Vangie Beal. PUP - potentially unwanted program. Webopedia. Online Tech Dictionary for Students, Educators and IT Professionals.
- ^ VirusET. VirusET. A Norwegian internet security site.
- ^ Software Cracks: A Great Way to Infect Your PC. KerbsOnSecurity. In-depth security news and investigation.