SearchEngage.com is a fake search engine that tries to imitate Google
SearchEngage.com is a browser hijacker designed to change the way users' browsers, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, or MS Edge, operate. These alternations are performed as soon a potentially unwanted program is installed on the targeted system – it typically occurs without users' notice, as PUPs are usually spread via a deceptive marketing method called software bundling.
As soon as SearchEngage.com hijack occurs, users might not even immediately notice changes to their homepage, as it is designed in a way to imitate possibly the most well-known brand in the world – Google. Developers of the hijacker use the word “Search” instead, but keep Google's color pallet, which is a typical social engineering trick.
However, users should not become deceived, as SearchEngage.com virus is produced for only one reason – to generate ad revenue from users' clicks on links or redirects to sponsored sites. Besides, the PUP also tracks information that relates to users' web browsing habits and uses it to deliver persistent, targeted ads. Users also reported that SearchEngage.com removal proved to be difficult, as, upon installation, the app modified group policy settings without permission.[1]
| Name | SearchEngage.com |
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| Associated app | Search Engage, Search Solutions |
| Developer | Cro-bit Ltd |
| Distribution | Most of the potentially unwanted applications and browser extensions travel within software bundle packages that users download from third-party sites; in other words, they agree to install software they did not intend to in the first place unintentionally |
| Symptoms |
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| Dangers | Installation of malware or other PUPs, personal information disclosure to unknown parties, money loss due to encountered scams |
| Termination | You can get rid of unwanted extensions via the browser (resetting the browser also works), or by terminating an app installed on your system as per our instructions below. In case of the app does not go away, you should scan your machine with reputable anti-malware software |
| Recovery | Search Engage may alter some system settings as well as the registry, corrupting original Windows files. If you notice some instability issues after you get rid of the hijacker, scan your computer with repair software FortectIntego |
SearchEngage.com has been around for quite a few years now and used to insert links to its main page. These links used to serve as shortcuts to users to reach Facebook, YouTube, Linkedin, and other popular domains quickly. However, this functionality is now implemented within each of the modern browsers, and there is no need letting your browser be hijacked to use this functionality.
After a few years of operation, SearchEngage.com changed its design and began imitating Google.com instead. This is done deliberately in order to confuse users and make them associate the hijacker with a legitimate company, which is absolutely not the case.
Even though Search Engage will redirect all the searches to Yahoo (a legitimate search engine), search results will not be authentic. Instead of seeing organic links, users will be shown a multitude of sponsored links at the top – these generate revenue for SearchEngage.com browser hijacker developers after each click made by users.
Besides, when the SearchEngage.com virus is installed, users may also face redirects to scam, phishing, and even malicious pages, where background scrips could inject malware automatically under certain circumstances.[2] The encountered scam may trick users into disclosing personal information to unknown parties (potentially, cybercriminals) or paying for fake services.
If intrusive ads and redirects are not a big enough reason to remove SearchEngage.com extension from your computer, you should also take into consideration that the PUP is also tracking all your online moves. Developers employ various technologies (flash cookies, web beacons, pixels, etc.) to harvest data from you, as disclosed in Search Engage Privacy Policy statement:[3]
We may collect information from you that may identify you, such as your name, address, email address, and telephone number and anonymous Information, such as the number of your page views, link clicks, and login times. Your information may be kept in an identifiable format, or in an aggregate format which means that you cannot reasonably be identified from it.
To make matters worse, SearchEngage claims that it “may disclose any or all of the collected information to third parties.” If anything, we suggest you limit the number of online trackers to a minimum, and it is unknown whether the company uses adequate practices to protect the collected information in the first place.
To make matters worse, the SearchEngage.com browser hijacker also engages in unfair and even malicious persistence techniques. As reported by users, some of the web browser extensions by the same developer engaged in Windows registry and group policy file modification, which prevented its termination from the web browser.
We highly advise staying away from the Windows registry, as incorrect modification might result in system file corruption. Instead, we recommend using automatic repair software like FortectIntego.
To get rid of SearchEngage.com virus and its changes, you should either refer to our manual guide below or employ reputable anti-malware to do it for you. Nevertheless, due to the deceptive Search Engage/Search Solutions extension operation, experts[4] also advise resetting the installed web browsers.
Browser hijackers sneak in via software bundles downloaded from third party sites
Potentially unwanted programs like Search Engage hijack computer systems via bundling – a software distribution technique that is extremely successful when it comes to PUP and malware circulation. The developers of the potentially unwanted software bundle their products with well-known free programs and create software packages.
Such multi-software packs can be downloaded from third-party sites and other untrustworthy sources. Many computer users do not know that they CAN refuse to install objectionable programs when installing the desired program. It is, in fact, very easy to do it – all you need to do is to adjust the program’s installation settings and set Custom or Advanced mode. After that, you need to uncheck the boxes next to suggestions to install optional programs alongside the main software.
It is also important to note that users who use high-end security software will also be warned when a PUP is about to be installed. In fact, there are plenty of security applications that focus on the prevention, detection, and removal of unwanted applications like Search Engage.
SearchEngage.com removal guide
If you would like to forget the problems with your web browser, remove SearchEngage.com virus from your computer. It is up to you how to perform this: you can utilize the instructions we provide below to get rid of the PUP manually or use an anti-malware tool instead. The latter is much easier and quicker – simply perform a full system scan.
However, as mentioned above, SearchEngage.com removal might be much more complicated due to its persistence techniques used, such as Windows registry modification. Therefore, if you cannot get rid of unwanted extension or a standalone app yourself, you should employ anti-malware software and then reset all the installed browsers as we explain 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.
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.
Did this guide help?
4 comments
lepsa
I am really dissapointed with SearchEngage.com. Thanks for providing this removal guide!
Salli
Cannot believe how easy it was to remove this threat. I shouldve tried to remove it earlier!
scott89
thanks :)
Hzeaz
finally wiped this virus off my pc