The basic features of Search.searchwssp.com virus
Search.searchwssp.com virus is another creation of Polarity Technology Ltd. It’s a bogus search engine that often travels in the software bundles[1]. Once it gets inside, the virus alters Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Safari settings. However, other browsers might be affected as well. Due to its feature to take over web browsers, this cyber infection is known as a browser hijacker[2]. Search.searchwssp.com browser hijacker is closely related to the “Watch Streaming Sports” application. Thus, sports enthusiasts who love watching matches online should stay away from it. Once this application managed to get inside the computer, it might change targeted browsers’ homepage, default search engine and built-in search box, new tab URL address, and other unwanted changes. Thus, getting rid of them might be complicated because this cyber parasite might be able to install helper objects[3] or other third-party applications that might have been installed silently. For this reason, we suggest scanning the computer with FortectIntego or another anti-malware program to remove Search.searchwssp.com with all its components from the system.
Search.searchwssp.com virus is designed to force people to use this suspicious search engine. Why? Because in the search results might be included third-party links. When a user clicks on them, developers generate revenue. Indeed, this application is a marketing tool that allows making advertising based income. However, altered search results are not the only way to profit. This application is also capable of delivering personalized ads and generate pay-per-click income. However, here it’s important to talk about Search.searchwssp.com redirect problems. Online ads might be extremely dangerous[4], especially, when the potentially unwanted program provides them. These ads might be infected or redirect to the shady websites where malware [5]might attack you. However, these ads might look interesting and catch your eye, because they are based on you recent search queries and browsing history. In the Privacy Policy, developers reveal that they are collecting non-personally identifiable and browsing-related information. If you do not feel good about someone stalking you and possibly sharing details with third-parties and advertising networks, you should opt for Search.searchwssp.com removal right now.

How does it spread?
This application spreads bundled with free programs that users can download from the Internet. The program is attached as an optional component and users can only find it and opt it out if they choose Advanced/Custom settings for software installation. Otherwise, they might expect Search.searchwssp.com hijack any time when installing new programs. Advanced/Custom settings allow monitoring the whole process and reveal about additional downloads. Meanwhile, Quick, Standard or Recommended settings just installs all extra components without letting you know about them. Thus, this application might have sneaked inside with one of the recently installed programs. Now, your task is to get rid of them and get back to the normal browsing again.
Suggestions for Search.searchwssp.com removal
If you want, you can try to eliminate this cyber parasite manually. Below you will find instructions that will guide you through Search.searchwssp.com removal procedure. We want to point out that you have to remove browser hijacker along with its components. Then, check all web browsers that are installed on your PC and reset their settings. However, there’s an easier option for the removal. It is suitable for inexperienced computer users and those people who are not willing to spend hours investigating computer’s system. If you want to save your time, remove Search.searchwssp.com with a help of anti-malware program. Scan your computer with an up-to-date tool and let it find and eliminate hijacker-related components.
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.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

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

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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