Search.socialaddons.top (Removal Instructions) - Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
Search.socialaddons.top Removal Guide
What is Search.socialaddons.top?
Search.socialaddons.top redirect might disrupt your web browsing routine
Search.socialaddons.top is a fraudulent search engine that stealthily infiltrates the web browser after installing a potentially unwanted program. It can modify regular browser settings to force using its services on a daily basis. Also, the app can monitor user data and later use it for marketing purposes. Due to these adverse features, experts recommend not keeping it installed on your system.
Name | Search.socialaddons.top |
Type | Browser hijacker, PUP |
Distribution | Third-party websites, software bundles |
Operation | Changes the preferences of a web browser and applies its own search engine; monitors users' online activities; delivers sponsored content within search results or other environments |
Uninstall | You can get rid of the PUP easily if you follow our guidelines below; a scan with SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or similar reputable anti-malware is recommended |
System fix | After the elimination of adware or malware, we highly recommend running a scan with FortectIntego repair software |
The browser hijack is not the only problem. This search platform displays skewed query results to increase click-generated revenue[1]. In other terms, it pushes annoying ads among its search results.
Even though you might find it insignificant, note that clicking on those advertisements might lead to highly suspicious pages[2]. Besides, crooks might program the ads to trigger an automatic installation of malware on your PC. Likewise, you should stay away from redirects if you want to protect your system.
If that is not a good enough reason to remove Search.socialaddons.top, be aware that it places tracking cookies to monitor your browsing habits. Later, it collects various information which might personally identify you.
Search.socialaddons.top is a browser hijacker which causes annoying redirects to increase pay-per-click revenue for its developers.
Therefore, you should never submit the following information in the search bar if you want to protect your privacy:
- Email address;
- Your name and surname;
- Credentials;
- Other private data;
The gathered information is typically used to display ads that correlate with your frequently visited pages, clicked advertisements, or IP address. This way, the developers benefit from the clicks by unsuspecting people. We find this marketing tactic unacceptable and suggest starting the PUP removal right away.
You can use Malwarebytes or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner since they will quickly finish the elimination procedure and clean your computer from other potentially unwanted programs as well. However, you can use any other security software if you are sure that it is reliable and robust enough to get rid of the virus.
If you have found malware on your device, you should also take care of mitigation of system damage – you can use the FortectIntego repair tool for that.
PUPs: distribution via software-bundles
Many people are not aware of the browser hijacker which is present on their computer. It is because developers employ an intolerable distribution method to spread the potentially unwanted program — they bundle it with regular applications you can download for free.
Therefore, while you think that you are installing only one program, the browser hijacker stealthily infiltrates your system together with it. You can avoid that by following the installation procedure and seeking any suspicious additional software.
Choose Advanced or Custom settings, and if you find a pre-marked box stating “Get Search.socialaddons.top for free now,” immediately un-tick it. Note that Quick or Recommender installer settings will not disclose the information about the potentially unwanted program. Likewise, you should avoid these parameters.
Security software can eliminate Search.socialaddons.top
Experts from BedyNet.ru[3] exclude two removal methods — manual and automatic. However, remember that potentially unwanted programs do not travel alone, they infiltrate other bogus extensions to support their arbitrary activity on your PC.
Hence, you should download a reputable antivirus system and remove the hijacker at once. This is the safest method to get rid of all its components and make your browser hijacker-free.
However, you can also use the manual termination guide below. Just make sure not to skip steps, or it might lead to computer damage.
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.socialaddons.top. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
The guide below will explain to you how to remove the browser hijacker along with all its components from Windows operating system.
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
To clean your Mac from unwanted programs, you should delete its elements as well.
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
You can uninstall the hijacker from Chrome by removing all suspicious browser extensions.
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.socialaddons.top 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 browser hijacker
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
- ^ Click Fraud. Understanding the Danger. ChargeBacks911. We Share Our Knowledge.
- ^ Noah Gamer. Ads on websites are dangerous to more than your sanity. Trend Micro Blog. Enterprise Cyber Security Solutions.
- ^ BedyNet. BedyNet. Security and Spyware News.