Search.searchworm.com: what it is and how to remove it

Search.searchworm.com is a suspicious web address that users might find as their homepage on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, MS Edge, Safari, or another web browser. If that happened to you, it means that your web browser has been hijacked by the New Tab Theme Buddy extension or application.

Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.

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If search.searchworm.com returns after you change the search engine back, a free scan can find the program that keeps setting it.

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Search.searchworm.com: search searchworm com browser hijacker
Search.searchworm.com as our 2020 report showed it.

Search.searchworm.com: summary

DistributionSoftware bundles, Google Chrome Store, ads
DamageInstallation of other potentially unwanted programs, privacy risks due to information gathering practices, financial losses
NameSearch.searchworm.com
TypeBrowser hijacker, potentially unwanted program
IP address13.249.93.7
SymptomsNew Tab Theme Buddy or another extension installed on the web browser; unknown app installed on the computer; homepage and new tab address is set to Search.searchworm.com, search results are filled with sponsored links and ads
Removal

Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged.

Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free.
Show 6 more facts
Detection namesNo Microsoft detection name is known
Evidence4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited
Search pagesearch.searchworm.com
BrowsersChrome, Edge and Firefox
First seen29 October 2020
Facts checked6 October 2026

Is Search.searchworm.com dangerous? What it collects

From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since

Search.searchworm.com - a fake search engine that is injected by New Tab Theme Buddy or another potentially unwanted program

Search.searchworm.com is a suspicious web address that users might find as their homepage on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, MS Edge, Safari, or another web browser.

If that happened to you, it means that your web browser has been hijacked by the New Tab Theme Buddy extension or application. However, the browser changes can also be associated with another app that is hiding on your computer.

Since potentially unwanted programs are typically distributed using deceptive practices (software bundles, fake updates, etc.), users typically are surprised when they notice Search.searchworm.com hijack suddenly. They notice that the homepage is completely different and that their searches now include an increased number of ads.

In the background, the PUP (potentially unwanted program) collects various data about users' internet usage, some of which may include personal information such as an IP address.

The so-called Search.searchworm.com virus can target both Mac and Windows operating systems and appear on all compatible web browsers. As previously mentioned, the app can get installed without asking for direct permission, although some users might be interested in it via Chrome Web Store or another legitimate source.

Cyber Search, Search.grilime.com, or Comet Search are similar browser-hijacking apps that claim to improve user experience, hence being useful to users. Search.searchworm.com is not an exception and boasts of its ability to "enhance web browsing experience" by including a "personalized" greeting, as well as a different wallpaper every 24 hours.

However, these functions are merely a trick to make people believe that they are being treated as special - regardless of who installs the app, these greetings and wallpapers remain the same, just a little bit randomized. The functionality is utterly useless, as any modern browser allows users to set their own wallpaper and append links to their homepage they prioritize.

Search.searchworm.com does not even use a custom search engine and uses Google's instead. As evident, it participates in its affiliate program. Nevertheless, those who install the app guarantee profits for its developers, as they soon see an increased number of advertisements during each of these searches.

In other words, without the browser hijacker, users would not be shown promotional offers and ads at the top of search results (it uses Google's search engine, so what is the point of it in the first place?).

Besides, Search.searchworm.com removal should be warranted by the fact it collects a variety of information about users. In the Privacy Policy, it is clearly stated that there is a wide range of data that is harvested as long as the extension is installed- it includes:

We advise you to remove Search.searchworm.com hijacker by checking your web browser settings. Don't forget to clear cookies and other traces that might remain. Besides, we highly recommend scanning the machine with security software to ensure that no other potentially unwanted or dangerous apps are present. Finally, can be used to fix virus damage.

  • Technical information (installed apps, device type and version number, operating system details, location, IP address, ISP, cookies, etc.)
  • Usage information (software services, internet browser usage, language settings, search queries, visited websites, etc.)
  • Support related information (email and other voluntarily-provided data).
Search.searchworm.com: search searchworm com browser hijacker
Search.searchworm.com in our 2020 report.
Search.searchworm.com: search searchworm com pup new tab theme buddy
Search.searchworm.com in our 2020 report.

From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since

Avoid potentially unwanted programs by being careful with new app installation process

Browser hijackers are extremely widespread.

From users who found the app in Chrome Webs Store by the promised enhanced web browsing experience to those who were dumbfounded by the unexpected browser changes.

The first group of people install PUPs as they believe that they are actually useful - and such is the goal of the developers. Software bundles, on the other hand, expand the delivery to many more computers, as users are tricked into installing apps they otherwise would not.

Therefore, before you install a new app to your computer or append an extension to your web browser, you should check the reviews online, as these often serve as a good indication of whether the app is actually useful.

Additionally, you should be very careful when installing free programs from third-party websites, as it is well known that almost all of them bundle software. Never rush the installation, read the instructions carefully, decline all the offers, and always pick Advanced/Custom settings if prompted.

Also, watch out for deceptive ads and fake updates. If a popup or a notification on a random site claims that something is missing, is outdated, or that your computer is infected ignore these warnings as they are all scam. Visit official sources to update your software instead.

From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since

More from our earlier report on Search.searchworm.com

  • To get rid of the browser-hijacking extensions, clean your web browser promptly by removing web data and cache
  • Computer infections can cause significant damage to system files or disrupt normal settings.

Check your browser and PC

  • Address: search.searchworm.com

How to remove Search.searchworm.com

How to remove Search.searchworm.com and get your search engine back

Remove the extension first.

The search settings only stay fixed once nothing on the PC can change them again.

  1. Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add

    Search.searchworm.com often works through an extension, so go through the extension list of each browser:

    • chrome://extensions
    • edge://extensions
    • Extensions and themes in Firefox

    Switch suspicious extensions off one at a time and reload the page where the problem shows, then remove the one that stops it, and any other you did not add.

    Remember the other browsers and profiles on the PC. If Remove is missing or greyed out, a policy forces the extension, which the policy step deals with. Windows 11 and Windows 10 show the same pages.

    Chrome menu with Extensions and Manage extensions highlighted
    Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension

  2. Step 2: Put the search engine back and delete search.searchworm.com

    Searches that pass through search.searchworm.com mean the browser's default search engine was replaced. Chrome: Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, then Make default on Google, Bing or another engine you chose, and Delete on search.searchworm.com.

    Edge has the same list under Manage search engines (search the Settings page for it), and Firefox under Settings > Search.

    Look at On startup and the homepage settings too and remove the hijacker's address there. Nothing in this step differs between Windows 11 and Windows 10.

    Chrome Settings with the Search engine and On startup sections
    Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine

  3. Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install

    Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11, or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10, and sort the list by install date. Look at what appeared around the day the problem started and uninstall every program you do not recognise or did not choose.

    Free converters, PDF and video tools, "system optimizers" and unknown browsers are the usual carriers of Search.searchworm.com. If a name is unclear, search for it before you remove it, so you do not uninstall a driver or a Windows component.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix

  4. Step 4: Reset the browser

    Finish the browser part with a reset, which puts the search engine, start page, new tab page and site permissions back to their defaults and switches extensions off. Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.

    Edge: Settings > Reset settings. Firefox: Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox, which also removes its extensions. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are kept, and the menus are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

    Chrome Settings page with the Reset settings section open
    Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine

  5. Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan

    Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.

    Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.

    Windows Security Scan options with Microsoft Defender Antivirus offline scan selected
    Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan

Instructions for each browser and system

The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.

Uninstall from Windows

If you are using a Windows computer, follow these steps to delete unwanted apps from your system:

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows
Remove from Google Chrome

You should delete web data and clear cache of Chrome to make sure that no leftovers remain after PUP elimination:

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2
Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2
Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari
Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer should be cleaned as follows after browser hijacker elimination is complete:

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

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 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 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. 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.

From our report of Oct 2020 · not reviewed since

Search.searchworm.com removal instructions

In most cases, users should have no problems with Search.searchworm.com removal - all they have to do is access the settings of their web browsers and uninstall the New Tab Theme Buddy extension.

However, it is important to note that the homepage and other browser changes can be related to a completely different program that might be installed on your Windows or Mac machine. Thus, we advise you to check the installed app section of your computer, as explained below.

Additionally, a scan with security software might also help you remove Search.searchworm.com virus automatically.

Search.searchworm.com: search searchworm com search results altered
Search.searchworm.com in our 2020 report.

Questions about Search.searchworm.com

Why does my search engine keep changing to search.searchworm.com?

Because something keeps setting it. An extension can change the search engine every time the browser starts, and an ad-supported program in Windows can do it for every browser and re-add the extension after you remove it. Some hijackers also add a policy that locks the setting.

Changing the search engine back only works once the source is gone. Remove extensions you do not recognise, uninstall programs installed around the time search.searchworm.com first appeared, and then set the search engine again. If it still returns, check the browser for the Managed by your organization message and follow the policy steps in this guide.

Did search.searchworm.com come with a program I installed?

Most likely, yes. Search hijackers such as search.searchworm.com usually arrive with free software, where an extra offer is pre-ticked in the installer, or as an extension that promises something useful, such as file conversion, maps, recipes or streaming.

Look at Settings, Apps, Installed apps sorted by install date: whatever was installed just before the search engine changed is the main suspect. Uninstall it, then remove any extension you do not recognise. In future, choose the custom or advanced option in installers and untick extra offers, and install extensions only from the official store pages of publishers you know.

Why do my searches go to search.searchworm.com?

Because the browser's default search engine was changed to it. Search.searchworm.com did that through an extension, a program or a browser policy, and as long as that source remains, the setting points to search.searchworm.com.

The page then passes your query to a real search provider, so the results look almost normal, with extra sponsored links on top. Changing the search engine back on its own does not last, because the source resets it. Remove the extension or program first, then the policies if any, then set your own search engine.

Is it safe to keep searching with search.searchworm.com?

We would not. Every query you type is logged by its operators and shared with their advertising partners, and the sponsored links at the top are chosen for payment, not relevance. Results that look like a download page or a support site may lead to scams.

The page will not damage Windows by itself, but there is no benefit in keeping it: the results come from another search engine anyway. Remove Search.searchworm.com and use that search engine directly, by typing its address or choosing it in the browser settings.

Which browsers does Search.searchworm.com affect?

We saw it in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. That does not mean the other browsers on your PC are safe: hijacker installers usually change every browser they find, and browser sync can carry an extension to other computers signed in to the same account.

Check the search engine, home page, new tab, extensions and policies in each browser you have, including ones you rarely open. Chrome and Edge profiles count separately, so switch to each profile and check it as well before you call the job done.

What does search.searchworm.com know about me?

It knows what you searched for while it was your search engine, when, from which IP address and with which browser, and usually which results you opened. Tracking cookies let it connect those searches into a profile. It does not see your saved passwords or files.

After removing Search.searchworm.com, delete the cookies and site data for search.searchworm.com so the profile cannot be continued, and remove it from the browser's list of saved search engines. Signing out of important sites and back in also replaces session cookies.

Would an ad blocker stop Search.searchworm.com?

Not really. An ad blocker can hide some of the sponsored results on search.searchworm.com, but it does not change your search engine back or remove the extension that set it. Your searches would still pass through the hijacker's servers and be logged.

Some ad blockers include tracking filters that block parts of the redirect chain, which can break searches altogether. Remove Search.searchworm.com with the plan above; an ad blocker is a reasonable extra afterwards, from the official store only and from a developer with a long track record.

The results look like Google or Bing. Is that real?

Partly. Many hijacker search pages pass your query to a real search engine and show its results, so the list looks familiar. What changes is the frame around it:

  • extra sponsored links at the top
  • the hijacker's own tracking
  • sometimes a design that copies a known search engine

You can tell by the address bar. If it shows search.searchworm.com or another unfamiliar domain instead of the search engine you know, the results come through a middleman. Remove Search.searchworm.com and search directly.

I changed the search engine, but it switched back. Why?

The hijacker is still installed, and it rewrites the setting whenever the browser starts or the extension updates. Changing the setting is the last step, not the first. Find what controls it: the search settings page usually names the extension, and a greyed-out field means a policy.

Remove that source, restart the browser, then pick your search engine and delete the hijacker's entry from the list of saved search engines so it cannot be chosen by accident. Check again after a day, when extensions have had a chance to update.

Will Fortect remove Search.searchworm.com?

Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.

For Search.searchworm.com, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.

Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.

Sources

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