Search.searchw3f.com (Virus Removal Guide) - Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
Search.searchw3f.com Removal Guide
What is Search.searchw3f.com?
Search.searchw3f.com – yet another dubious app from Polarity Technologies
Search.searchw3f.com is an unreliable domain which, because of its capabilities to take over browser settings, has been named as a browser hijacker. Its developer, Polarity Technologies Ltd, is a well-known creator of similar PUPs. As soon as one of its programs enters victim’s computer, it takes a full control of Google Chrome, and other web browsers. Typically, Search.searchw3f.com virus alters their settings and applies this page as a homepage, new tab URL, and a default search engine.
Search.searchw3f.com tries to lure people who are into gaming – the front page is covered with links to various gaming sites. Some of these links contain legitimate content (such as Minecraft download site) while others direct you to extremely suspicious domains filled with tons of low-quality games. Considering that online gaming has been a successful theme[1] during the last couple years, it is not unusual that shady developers try to cash out of it.
IT experts[2] agree that this potentially unwanted program impersonates respectable and reliable search engines, such as Google, Yahoo or Bing. However, we can confirm that this browser hijacker has nothing to do with legitimate search engines. Developers of such dubious applications only care about their profit. Therefore, you should remove search.searchw3f.com and start using search engines that are not commercial. If you need a quick remedy, install FortectIntego.
The presence of an unwanted program[3] is noticeable as soon as the browser is launched and the user starts using it. If you found this hijacker instead of your favorite search engine, beware that keeping it will cause numerous side effects, including:
- Invasive ads, pop-ups, deals, offers on your favorite and perfectly legitimate websites;
- Redirects to phishing, fake update, and other dangerous websites;
- Complicated navigation to specific web pages (like your favorite search engine or security sites);
- New toolbars, bookmarks or favorites added without your knowledge;
- The poor performance of the browser.
In addition to these issues, Search.searchw3f.com can start tracking your non-personally identifiable information for advertisement purposes. Also, there is no guarantee that your personal data, such as full name or shipping address, won't be collected after adding it while using the hijacked web browser.
It is clear by now that this apprehensive behavior of this virus brings no benefit to the user. If you really like playing games online, check more reputable sources and don't forget to take care of Search.searchw3f.com removal.
Free applications assist in distribution of unwanted programs
In most of the cases, advanced computer users can easily recognize suspicious programs among the legitimate ones. The same can be said about bundled software which has been actively used as the primary way to spread browser hijackers on the Internet.
If you have never heard such term, keep in mind that the Internet is full of various freeware filled with optional components. The most of them are suspicious browser add-ons that should be avoided. Research shows that majority of users still rely on using Recommended settings while installing free software obtained online. However, this is a straight way into downloading adware and hijackers to the system.
Therefore, we advise you to opt for Advanced/Custom settings while installing such free software as download managers, video streaming software, and PDF creators. After doing so, make sure you deselect pre-checked checkmarks that allow additional components on the system.
Elimination of unreliable application Search.searchw3f.com
We suggest you download a genuine anti-malware software to remove search.searchw3f.com from the system without leaving its files, browser helper objects and similar components. This way you can delete the PUP immediately and keep your machine risk-free (as long as you keep the software up to date). We can assure you that the use of the below-mentioned software will lead to the permanent elimination of the virus.
In contrary, you can attempt manual search.searchw3f.com removal by using our step-by-step guide below. We have to warn you that this method should only be undertaken by adept computer users as incorrect deletion will simply not remove the virus.
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.searchw3f.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.searchw3f.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
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ Hackers spread malware via children's gaming websites. BBC News. Technology.
- ^ Russian security website bedynet.ru. Bedynet.
- ^ Lincoln Spector. How to spot and avoid installing potentially unwanted programs. PCWorld. Helps users navigate the PC ecosystem.