Search.searchmev2.com is the suspicious program that causes enhanced search results filled with various ads
Search.searchmev2.com is a fraudulent search directory that spreads as an Earth Maps extension. This is the possible intruder that comes out of nowhere. Users complain that the application appears on the system and in the browser without any permissions and knowledge. Even though it supposedly gives users useful features like easy access to gas prices and Bing Maps, it should not be trusted. Experts say that after it settles on your system, you no longer can quickly switch to another search engine. It can get very intrusive and annoying over time, so it is suggested to stay away from the program that is not trustworthy and check the machine with anti-malware tools more often.
| Name | Search.searchmev2.com |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| Extension | Earth Maps |
| Distribution | It is distributed in a bundle with other free software |
| Symptoms | It modifies the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage. Later, it starts delivering annoying ads and causes redirects to unknown websites |
| Removal | Since it can be hard to eliminate all its components, we suggest you to get rid of the PUP with an anti-malware tool |
| System fix | A few things can get damaged when the cyber threat is running on the computer, so running FortectIntego can fix problems |
Experts categorize this program as a browser hijacker[1] since it performs arbitrary changes to your browser's settings. Afterward, you are forced to search through this program on a daily basis. Even though it might seem harmless, the delivered query results are not reliable.
It is because, after the infiltration of Search.searchmev2.com, you are provided with links to affiliate websites which can neither be trustful nor useful. Developers, Polarity Technologies Ltd., aims to increase their revenue according to pay-per-click marketing scheme and try their best to bring as much traffic to the sponsored pages as possible.
Unfortunately, they do not take responsibility for the content displayed on those pages, and users risk exposing their systems to malware or infiltration of other potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). For this reason, we suggest you remove the PUP now. If you leave the program running for a long time it can access various crucial settings of the system or even read to malware infiltration.
If that is not enough, Search.searchmev2.com redirect tendency is not the only disadvantage of this program. It also gathers information about browsing habits and might misuse it or share it with third parties. Despite the fact that the collected data is non-personally identifiable, you might unconsciously give private details among other information.
Therefore, the best option would be to start cleaning the machine fully so it could be running smoothly again. Usually, browser-based programs are tricky to eliminate and might reappear after incomplete removal. Likewise, we suggest you employ a professional helper tool to deal with it automatically. FortectIntego is our top choice.
Bundling remains the primary distribution method of PUPs
Despite the information accessible online, people continue not to pay attention to the installation of software. This results in bundling[2] being the most popular distribution technique of developers. In other terms, people skip steps during the procedure and manually install potentially unwanted programs together with free software.
Therefore, we want to remind you once again how to protect your computer from browser hijackers and similar cyber threats:
- Regularly update antivirus software and OS;
- Avoid clicking on various ads and browsing on commercial websites;
- During the software installation, pick only Advanced or Custom mode;
- Search for pre-select additional components and reject them.
Uninstalling the intrusive program can help to fight the virus and enhance the browsing experience
It is vital to remove Search.searchmev2.com from your system in order to receive accurate and reliable search results, stop intrusive ads and boost your computer's performance. This can be achieved if you do not hesitate and get rid of this cyber threat immediately. We promise, your browsing experience will improve significantly.
The fastest way to complete the cleaning process without struggle is to rely on professional malware removal software. Below you will find out recommended ones that are effective and easy to use. Experts from NoVirus.uk[3] warn to not fall for scams online offering expensive and useless software.
Additionally, there is a way how you can uninstall Search.searchmev2.com manually. It is explained in the instructions down below. Please, read them carefully.
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
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.
Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.
Was this guide helpful?
Be the first to comment