Search50.co virus (Free Instructions) - Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
Search50.co virus Removal Guide
What is Search50.co virus?
Search50.co search engine does not bring any benefits to the users
Search50.co is a questionable search tool promoted in various freeware bundles, so incorrect installation of freeware might result in a hijacked[1] web browser. It might alter the browser’s settings, set its domain as default search provider, alter search results, and redirect to questionable third-party websites.
Besides deceptive distribution techniques and browser changes, the app is also capable of tracking user data as long as it is installed. Thus, to avoid privacy risks and return your browsing to normal, we recommend uninstalling this program from your system.
| Name | Search50.co |
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Distribution | Users typically install the PUP unintentionally when installing freeware on their machines |
| Symptoms | Changes to homepage and new tab URL address; sponsored links at the top of search results; redirects to a customized search provider |
| Removal | Uninstall this app by following our guide below or employ antivirus software such as SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner |
| System fix | After the elimination of adware or malware, we highly recommend running a scan with FortectIntego repair software |
If you have found an alternative web address on your homepage, it does not mean that your system is infected with malware. Browser hijackers cannot cause direct harm to the computer. However, it takes full control over the browser and might alter the way you operate your searches, as well as which link you are likely to click. The description of the program says that it is developed by a company which is a:
Global leader in search engine marketing and web traffic generation.
Thus, this tool helps web admins, website owners, and other online community members to boost traffic to their websites in order to increase sales or reach potential victims. Indeed, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) are often used for easy monetization, all while providing little to no benefit for the consuming party. Besides, security experts noticed suspicious Search50.co redirect tendencies that raised concerns about search engines’ affiliates.
The research has shown that hijackers might trigger redirects to fake online shops, gaming, adult-themed, technical support scam, or phishing[2] websites. Therefore, users are advised to remove the PUP as soon as it shows up on Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, or other web browsers.
However, at the moment of writing, the provided search tool is not working properly. No matter what search queries you enter, it redirects to a blank results page. However, it might be just a temporary situation. But it doesn’t change the fact that this domain should be eliminated.
FortectIntego or other anti-malware tools can quickly perform the Search50.co removal. However, once the system scan is over, you should still reset each browser to delete tracking cookies that were installed soon after the hijack.
Do not agree to change your default search provider during freeware installation
When you install freeware or shareware, you have to be attentive. Often various PUPs are attached to the primary program and try to get inside the system with or without your knowledge. To avoid unintentional installation of third-party apps, you should opt for Advanced/Custom installation settings.
Differently than Quick/Recommended setup, advanced allows monitoring the process. Once you see the list of pre-selected “optional downloads,” you have to remove the ticks. You should do the same with agreements to set an unknown search provider as a default one.
Probably, you can now realize that the hijack occurs during the installation of a recently downloaded program. Security experts from Finland[3] remind that reading Terms and Agreements also helps make sure that you do not agree to change your default search engine to an unknown provider. Thus, next time do not forget these tips!
You can get rid of Search50.co quickly
Browser hijackers are not hard to uninstall manually. This task requires checking the system and web browsers for unknown components and eliminating them. The instructions below will help you to remove the PUP correctly.
However, if these instructions seem complicated or you want to get back control over your browser faster, you should opt for the second option. Automatic Search50.co removal is performed using anti-malware software. Thus, you need to install a new one or update your current security tool and run a full system scan.
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 Search50.co virus. 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
Follow these steps to recover Microsoft Edge after hijacker's attack:
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
These instructions will help you to wipe out all the hijacker's components:
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 Search50.co 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
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
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- ^ Browser hijacking: how to avoid it and repair data. Microsoft. The official website.
- ^ Ricardo Villadiego. The Dangers Of Phishing. Forbes. The website about business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle.
- ^ Virukset. Virukset. Finnish cyber security news.