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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Mar 2021

How to remove Searchfox.me

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Lucia Danes · Virus researcher

Searchfox.me – a fake search site displaying ad-filled results from WebCrawler

Searchfox.me virus

Searchfox.me is a potentially unwanted program[1] that hijacks your browser settings. When this browser hijacker is installed on a phone or a computer, it immediately changes its browser's default search engine, new tab, and homepage preferences. That way, each time you open your browser or a new tab, searchfox.me will open. Since that's a fake search engine, it redirects users to legitimate sources but injects ads into their results.

At the time of writing, Searchfox.me virus redirected all search inquiries to WebCrawler.com. Although what search engine will be opened depends on your geolocations. Thus altered search results from Google, Yahoo, Bing, or other search engines might be displayed.

It is unsafe to use a browser hijacker as it may show deceptive ads inserted into search results and cause sudden redirects to affiliated sites. By reading this article, you'll find out what your options are to remove this intruder, how it's spread, how to avoid similar PUPs, and how to restore your device system health.

name Searchfox.me
Type Potentially unwanted program, redirect virus, browser hijacker
Altered browser settings New tab, homepage, default search engine
Promoted fake search site https://searchfox.me/
IP address 172.67.196.244
Symptoms The browser's running slower, its settings are changed without your permission. Slower overall device performance. New tabs with questionable pages open out of the blue
Risks Financial losses, privacy issues, other PUP installation, malware infections
Distribution Fake Flash Player updates/installers, software bundling, deceptive ads
Removal If you see any symptoms, then run a full system scan with a trustworthy anti-malware tool to eliminate this unwelcomed guest
System Health fix PUP infections and shady websites leave a lot of traces on your device, which might cause various abnormal device behavior. Resolve any system-related issues and clean tracking cookies in the meantime with the all-in-one FortectIntego system diagnostics tool

Searchfox.me might seem like a legitimate search as it even looks a bit like Google search. But as soon as you type a query in the search field, you're automatically redirected to a legitimate search engine. But the search presented search results have a little twist.

They contain Searchfox.me ads. The worst part of these advertisements is that they are deceptive, meaning the ads themselves have nothing to do with the sites you will end up on if you click them. Our research suggests that the affiliated sites include:

  • malware,
  • PUPs,
  • various scams,
  • porn,
  • gambling, etc.

One more disturbing peculiarity of Searchfox.me browser hijacker is that it can force you to visit any of these sponsored websites on demand by causing sudden redirects. And lastly, this type of PUP can record your browsing habits, including search and browsing histories, device/browser info, IP addresses, used apps, etc.

Searchfox.me ads

Therefore, if you value your privacy and security, you should remove Searchfox.me ASAP. If it's installed as an app, you will have to run a full system scan with a reliable anti-malware tool like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes. These free security apps will eliminate the intruder and protect from cyber threats in the future.

Then use our free instructions below to uninstall Searchfox.me from your browser. We've included guides for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and other popularly used browsers that can get affected by this potentially unwanted program.

And lastly, to finish Searchfox.me removal by deleting any of its traces from the system directories and other core system settings and files, you must use a proper system repair tool. Cybersecurity experts[2] highly recommend entrusting this task to the time-proven FortectIntego system diagnostics software.

Watch out for additional apps when installing new software

Potentially unwanted programs, such as browser hijackers, adware,[3] unnecessary toolbars, and so on, are distributed by a stealthy technique called software bundling. Since people are always in a rush, they tend to rush through installations of new apps.

And that's how most PUPs get installed on your devices. The trick is fairly simple. All apps offered within the bundle are preselected for installation. Thus as soon as you pick the Quick, Recommended, or Standard mode, all of them get indirect consent to be installed.

Software bundles are usually downloaded from third-party software vendors, but that doesn't mean that app developers can't use this sneaky technique to gain revenue. That's why you should be very careful when installing new software. Always choose the Custom or Advanced installation method and deselect all additional apps from installation.

Searchfox.me browser hijacker

Full guide to remove Searchfox.me virus from your device and your browser

Having a browser hijacker like Searchfox.me virus installed on your device might only cause harm. PUPs aren't considered as hazardous as malware, but they can act as a gateway to it. That's why if you have this intruder installed, you should take action immediately.

First of all, launch your security tool and update its virus databases with the latest signatures. Then scan the entire system. As soon as the scan is finished, select to remove Searchfox.me with any other unknown, suspicious files or the ones that your anti-malware software recommends.

Afterward, use our free Searchfox.me removal guides posted below to delete this PUP from your browser. When that's done, run system diagnostics to delete any tracking cookies left by questionable portals and repair any corrupted system files/settings.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

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