SearchEasyMa.com is a questionable search engine providing zero value
SearchEasyMa.com virus can trick you into thinking that it is a safe-to-use web search engine that can easily replace Google, Yahoo, or another popular and trustworthy web search service[1]. Even worse, it might trick you into thinking that it provides Yahoo search results, which is not true. After entering a word or a phrase into the search box and submitting your query to the search engine, you will be redirected to a results page that looks identical to Yahoos.
However, if you look at the tab name of that results page, you would notice that it says “SaferBrowser Yahoo search results.” If you see this line, you must understand that these search results were altered and filled with sponsored[2] entries that possibly link to insecure[3] third-party websites.
| Name | SearchEasyMa.com |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| Related | Search Easy Maps, SaferBrowser |
| Developed by | Polarity Technologies |
| Distribution | Freeware installation processes when software bundling is employed |
| Issues | The redirects and pop-up ads create exposure to possibly dangerous online material |
| Removal | You can terminate the application by running through steps in the guide. Do not forget to double-check using FortectIntego |
This redirect virus typically loads Search.SearchEasyMa.com URL as soon as the victim opens a web browser. Upon arrival on the target PC, it mounts Easy Maps Access extension (by Polarity Technologies Ltd) to users’ browsers, which has the permission to read and change data on websites the user visits, also manage one’s apps, extensions, and themes.
The extension also aims to collect “anonymous information” as well as “search data” with the help of cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies. It claims to be using such information only to personalize and improve user’s experience with the services, while in reality, it needs such data for market research and selection of targeted ads.
Therefore, if you do not want to reveal your geographic location, the domain name of your Internet service provider, the operating system you use, URLs that you visit, browser’s homepage, information about your search activity (which might contain personal data), and even more, we suggest deleting the extension and related apps from your PC. To remove SearchEasyMa.com browser hijacker, we highly recommend using anti-malware programs like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes.
PUP infections happen without any permission
You could install this program alongside free programs or download it from its official website, where it advertises itself as a cool tool that lets you get maps and driving directions. However, since users rarely use their computers while driving a vehicle, we hardly can believe how this extension can be useful.
To revert the hijack, we suggest removing it, and to prevent similar problems in the future, we highly recommend choosing Custom or Advanced installation settings for future software installations[4]. These settings will introduce you to add items bundled with your download and let you drop them off.
Please remember that Default/Standard settings will not allow you to customize parts of your download, and that is the reason why we do not suggest choosing them.
It can be quick to remove SearchEasyMa.com
The aim of SearchEasyMa.com virus is to generate revenue[5] by redirecting users to its affiliate websites and earn pay-per-click income, however, if you dislike these redirects, you should switch this shady search tool with a reputable one.
To remove the intrusive browser hijacker, we suggest deleting all files related to the Search Easy Maps extension or Polarity Technologies, Ltd. For complete infection removal, install and run a system scan with an anti-malware application. If you’re looking for a tutorial on how to delete this browser hijacker, see the instructions below.
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.
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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