Searchkska.xyz browser hijacker uses Trovi to deliver deceptive search results

Searchkska.xyz virus is a version of Trovi browser hijacker[1] that meddles with browser’s settings without user’s knowledge. Typically, SearchKsKa browser hijacker changes homepage address to hxxp://Searchkska.xyz/ and sets the same URL as default search provider. The presence of this program is intolerable, so you should remove it from your PC as soon as you can.
Searchkska main page reminds a simple browser’s default page – it is entirely white, has a search box on it, and eight shortcuts to popular websites such as Facebook, Youtube, Yahoo, VK, Twitter, Wikipedia, eBay, and Amazon. Although these shortcuts are trustworthy, the search engine isn’t.
After making a search query via this search engine, the search query will be sent to trovi.com first, and only then the victim receives Bing search results. However, it is believed that these search results can be altered and filled with untrustworthy links leading to Trovi’s affiliate sites.
The bogus search engine causes URL redirections to drive traffic to particular websites and this way it functions as a tool that generates revenue for SearchKsKa developers. Unfortunately, our experience shows that results brought by such vague search tools are not trustworthy.
They may contain links that throw victims onto dubious sites asking to participate in scam surveys or install shady freeware. Even if you find some relevant information through the discussed search tool, you shouldn’t count on it at all times.
Another reason to remove SearchKsKa.xyz virus is the fact that it replaced your browser’s settings without your knowledge. The method used in its distribution is not considered illegal; however, it is very annoying. On top of that, we must add that the hijacker silently tracks victim as a user – it doesn’t target personally identifiable information, but it seeks to collect one’s IP address, search queries, browsing history, downloads, clicks, URLs of favorite sites and related information.
If you’d like to keep such information private, initiate SearchKsKa.xyz removal in the near future. If you can’t uninstall it from the system, allow FortectIntego or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes help you with that. In case you are determined to delete the hijacker manually, follow SearchKsKa.xyz removal guidelines we provide.
Our research shows that this browser hijacker rampages in US and France mostly. If you are a French-speaking computer user, we invite you to visit LesVirus.fr[2] site, which provides cyber security tips in your language.

The growing number of browser hijackers shows that users don’t know how to avoid installing them
Sadly, the majority of computer users install browser hijackers without realizing how dangerous these programs can be. Users often overlook statements about additional programs that will be installed alongside the main program, usually because they do not bother themselves reading information written in fine print.
The majority of users who experience a browser hijack start thinking that their computer was infected with a virus. In reality, these programs aren’t viruses – they belong to spyware category, and their distribution method (software bundling[3]) is legitimate. However, to avoid misunderstandings, we strongly recommend you to follow these rules whenever you decide to install a new program on your computer:
- Download the software from legitimate web sources only. Do not rely on shady and untrustworthy Internet sites full of ads and misleading download buttons.
- Do not rush during the installation of your chosen software. We strongly advise you to select Custom or Advanced option to install your download. Usually, these settings expand and provide the user with a list of extra software. The user then can choose which programs he wants to install and which ones he’d like to reject.
Remove Searchkska.xyz redirect virus
To prevent this browser hijacker from redirecting you to strange Internet sites, remove Searchkska.xyz virus today. You shouldn’t delay this task because this potentially unwanted program can put your privacy and security at risk, even if it is not malicious itself. If you or your relative decides to use Searchkska as a search tool, the probability of visiting a doubtful Internet site skyrockets.
If this browser hijacker changed your browser’s settings and now you do not know how to fix them, use Searchkska.xyz removal tutorial we provided. Clearly, you can use an automatic spyware removal software to complete this task easier.
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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