SearcheeBoo! browser hijacker (virus) - Free Guide
SearcheeBoo! browser hijacker Removal Guide
What is SearcheeBoo! browser hijacker?
SearcheeBoo! promotes a fake search engine that can put users' privacy and security in danger
SearcheeBoo! is a browser hijacker that changes the main settings, like the homepage, new tab address, and search engine. It can also cause an increased amount of commercial content, like pop-ups, banners, and redirects. The main purpose of the application is to monetize user activity.
The app also promotes a fake search engine which can lead to misinformation or dangerous pages. The creators may use rogue advertising networks that place ads leading to scam websites. Users may end up on sites that try to trick them into providing personal information, downloading PUPs (potentially unwanted programs),[1] and malware.
Usually, browser extensions are installed to provide functions that are not available on a default browser, like blocking ads, finding coupons, etc. However, there is no reason to keep this plugin installed, as it does not provide anything useful. Instead, it can put users' privacy and security in danger.
| NAME | SearcheeBoo! |
| TYPE | Browser hijacker; potentially unwanted program |
| SYMPTOMS | The app changes the main settings of the browser, like the homepage, new tab address, and search engine |
| DISTRIBUTION | Unsafe websites, deceptive ads, freeware installations |
| DANGERS | The application may be collecting data about users' browsing activities; users might get redirected to dangerous websites that can trick them into providing personal information or downloading PUPs and malware |
| ELIMINATION | Remove the extension via browser settings; performing a scan with professional security tools is recommended |
| FURTHER STEPS | Use FortectIntego to clear your browsers from cookies and cache |
Distribution methods
Browser hijackers such as SearcheeBoo! usually enter the machine through bogus download pages. Most of the time, they open in new tabs after browsing through other shady sites. This includes web pages that engage in illegal activities, like illegal streaming platforms, peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms, torrent websites, etc.
You should be careful while browsing the web and not click on random links and buttons. Visit only websites that you know and trust. If you want to install a browser extension, use official web stores. Apps that get listed there have to go through an extensive review process.
However, there are also instances when users are not aware of a browser hijacker installation. This can happen if you use freeware[2] distribution platforms. They include additional programs[3] which are often PUPs in the installers without disclosing it clearly. Many people skip through the process and do not notice them.
Clear your browsers from trackers
One of the most important things you should do after a successful removal is to take care of your browsers. Websites and web-based applications can use cookies to gather data like your IP address, geolocation, pages you visit, links you click on, and things you purchase online.
Cookies can be used to personalize the user experience – show relevant results. But for crooks, it is just another way to make a profit. They can be sold to advertising networks and other third parties. Cookies can also be hijacked and used for malicious purposes so it is very important to delete them regularly.
Maintenance tools like FortectIntego can do this with a click of a button. This powerful software can also fix various system errors, corrupted files, and registry issues which is especially helpful after a virus infection.
Remove the unwanted extension
You can remove browser add-ons by going to your settings. Find the list of extensions installed in your browser and remove SearcheeBoo. Learn how to do that in the guide below:
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.
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.
MS Edge (Chromium)
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Mozilla Firefox
- 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.
Safari
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Ensure you are free of PUPs
Sometimes removing the extension from the browser is ineffective, and users still continue to experience unwanted symptoms. In that case, you will probably have to scan your machine for PUAs which are programs that hide in the background of the machine and cause erratic behavior.
If you want to avoid PUPs sneaking into your system, do not use freeware distribution platforms and follow simple steps during the installation process. Always choose “Custom” or “Advanced” installation methods, read the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use to find out what information will be collected and what the application will be allowed to do in your system. The most important part is to check the file list and untick the boxes next to any items that you think are suspicious or unrelated
PUAs are often disguised as “handy” tools to make it more difficult for average users to identify them. The program that is causing the erratic behavior could have any name or icon, so if you are not sure what to do and you do not want to risk deleting the wrong files, we suggest using SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes anti-malware tools that will scan your machine, eliminate it, and prevent such infections in the future by giving you a warning before a PUP can make any changes.
If manual removal is what you still prefer, we have instructions for Windows and Mac machines:
Windows 10/8:
- 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.
Windows 7/XP:
- 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.
Mac:
- 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.
How to prevent from getting browser hijacker
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ Potentially unwanted program. Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia.
- ^ Tales From the SOC: Dealing with the Dangers of Freeware. Infosecurity. Cybersecurity Magazine. Technology Insight.
- ^ Will Dormann. Bundled Software and Attack Surface. Cmu. Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute Blog.