Search.searchvidpop.com is a part of an app that hijacks your browser
Search.searchvidpop.com is a fake search engine that supposedly improves user’s browsing experience. Shortly after the installation, the app modifies[1] homepage, new tab URL, and default search engine by assigning these browser settings to hxxp://search.searchvidpop.com without the user’s permission.
Its developers clearly make considerable investments in designing its appearance; thus, at first glance, it may look similar to well-known search providers. Even though all search results are indeed diverted to Yahoo, the hijacker has nothing to do with the IT giant. The results provided to you might not be genuine at all, as you are likely to see sponsored links and ads at the top.
| Name | Search.searchvidpop.com |
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Distribution | Software bundling |
| Operation | Changes web browser settings without permission, inserts sponsored links into search, redirects all searches to Yahoo, monitors user data |
| Uninstall | Check the instructions provided at the bottom of this post |
| System fix | Some unwanted programs might damage system settings or files, resulting in stability issues. If you notice crashes or errors, you should scan your machine with FortectIntego |
Usually, fake search engines are bundled with other potentially unwanted programs and plug-ins that reassign settings mentioned above when they try to change them to the primary state. In this case, the browser hijack is most likely to be related to installing Your Video Converter Now in Chrome software[2].
Thus, the removal of these PUPs or plug-ins may become a complicated process. We strongly recommend using SpyHunterCombo Cleaner security software to scan your system thoroughly. After that, use FortectIntego for best results.
Additionally, browser hijacker promotes third-party’s ads which can lead you to dubious Internet pages. Interacting with them may result in high-risk computer infections, says Udenvirus.dk experts[3]. Also, some of the potentially unwanted programs stealthily collect browsing-related data (e.g., geolocation, IP address) and can lead to severe privacy issues.
Moreover, the hijacker can secretly install “helper objects” that cause redirect to online adult dating, gambling, and other potentially malicious sites that are mainly designed to generate revenue for the developers.
Programs promoting fake search engine tend to:
- Assign search.searchvidpop.com as a default homepage.
- Modify new tab URL and change built-in search box to address automatically.
- Install potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and other plug-ins without user’s consent.
Installation of a browser hijacker is rarely consensual
A potentially unwanted program is installed during the installation of various free applications. The developers take advantage of user’s who opt for the Quick/Recommended installation process and hide the information about the virus in the “optional components” of the regular program.
User’s who are in a rush and skip many steps are not able to notice the possible infections. Thus, we advise avoiding using Quick/Recommended settings when downloading applications. You should always carefully follow the download/installation process and use security software.
If you encounter redirects to suspicious websites, we highly recommend uninstalling suspicious PUPs or plug-ins and avoid visiting this site in the future.
Other useful tips to avoid getting infected:
- Intrusive ads tend to have an appealing appearance; Never click on these ads in order to avoid getting scammed and protect your valuable data.
- Keep your software updated to reduce the chances of hackers using system vulnerabilities when creating malware, adware, and other malicious applications.
- Always use only official distributors and direct links when downloading/installing programs; if it is not possible, scan the attachments beforehand.
- Carefully follow the steps of download/installation process and opt for Custom/Advanced settings to be able to detect possible threats.
Search.searchvidpop.com hijacker elimination steps
You have an option to choose between two possible ways to remove the PUP — manual or automatic. However, our IT professionals strongly recommend opting for automatic elimination using security software. You will avoid the possibility of leaving other malicious programs present on your computer and always maintaining your safety.
But if you decide to remove the virus manually, choose a reliable security program and reboot your computer to Safe Mode. Afterward, download the security software from the official distributors and run a full system scan.
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.
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