Searchgeniusapp.com – a browser hijacker that might be holding your email address and mobile phone number

Searchgeniusapp.com, controlled by Search Dimension Inc., is a browser-hijacking app that inserts the “Genius Search” extension into the hijacked web browser. Later on, the potentially unwanted program modifies the main engine, new search tab, and homepage to its own and the user is forced to use the new parameters whenever he/she opens the infected browser app. In addition, Searchgeniusapp.com virus might try to attract you by providing fast access to Facebook, Youtube, Gmail, Twitter, Twitch, Netflix, LinkedIn, and similar networks. However, stay careful as these are only tricks and the true aim is placed behind income-gaining purposes that we will talk about throughout the following paragraphs.
| Name | Searchgeniusapp.com |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Category | Potentially unwanted program |
| Released by | Search Dimension Inc. |
| Goal | To collect income from all its users |
| Activities | Modifying the search zone, search bar, and homepage of the hijacked web browser, pushing advertising content to the computer screen during browsing activities, redirecting to affiliate networks, and similar |
| Extension | Genius Search |
| Removal | Scan the system with FortectIntego and search for infectious objects |
Searchgeniusapp.com is not a dangerous program itself but potential harm is still a factor related to this browser hijacker. Danger might be caused by the redirecting activities that are supported by the PUP[1] developers. In some cases, you might be forced to land on a malware-laden source where a trojan or ransomware infection might be hidden.
Continuously, browser hijackers such as Genius Search app might also collect income from the advertising that is loaded during every browser session performed. Suspicious deals and offers might be provided to you and you have to stay aware of these pop-up notifications as they might intend to swindle your money or collect personal information about you.
Besides, Searchgeniusapp.com is capable of collecting various details regarding the user himself, the machine where it is installed, and data about browsing sessions, habits, experience, etc. This is also stated in the Privacy Policy:
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.
Searchgeniusapp.com might use all this information for generating beneficial adverts and providing you with attractive offers which, however, often appear to be fake and misleading. Additionally, the developers of this browser hijacker might pass all collected details on to other parties for even more income.

Note that the most used browser worldwide is Chrome so it is the most expected to find Searchgeniusapp.com exactly on this web browser application. However, be aware that the potentially unwanted product might still occur on other browsing programs such as Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, or Safari if you are using a Mac machine/device.
Searchgeniusapp.com removal process should be completed right after you find the browser hijacker[2] on your computer system or web browser applications. There are two ways to succeed in this activity and we have explained both of them detaily at the end of the article. However, before performing this task, scan the system for threats with FortectIntego software.
Also, there is a possibility to remove Searchgeniusapp.com from your machine manually. However, this method requires more of the user's effort ant time. Besides, you need to complete each step very carefully not to make any mistakes or skip a step, otherwise, browser hijacker-related products might appear after some period of time.
Software bundles often hide browser hijackers and similar content
According to reports made by NoVirus.uk specialists,[3] browser-hijacking applications and there additional products such as browser add-ons, extensions, and plug-ins come in bundles of software packages. If the user has selected the Basic/Recommended downloading mode, there is a big chance that such as PUP will appear someday.

In order to be safe from unexpected installations, you have to opt for the Advanced/Custom configuration mode where you will be able to control all incoming products and services. In addition, note that potentially unwanted programs are very likely to be distributed via unprotected networks such as The Pirate Bay, porn-watching sites, gambling pages, and dating sources.
If you want to prevent receiving rogue products from your visited sources, sort of all of them and choose to enter only those which are quality-full and include required protection. Besides, download/install a reputable antivirus program that will take care of your computer system at a higher level. Make sure that your antimalware tool has security features such as safe-browsing, threat detection, frequent system scanning, and similar.
The removal process of Searchgeniusapp.com browser hijacker
Searchgeniusapp.com removal can be carried out by employing reputable antimalware software. You can use automatical products for scanning your entire computer system and discovering all infected locations. Besides, this method appears to be very handy for those who are in a rush.
Searchgeniusapp.com virus should be removed not only from your operating system but also from your web browser applications such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. Otherwise, the browser hijacker might return with its unwanted activities.
If you have been looking for a manual elimination method, check the end of this article and you will find handy steps there. You can remove Searchgeniusapp.com from both your operating system and infected web browser by following these instructions carefully.
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.

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