Searchmy.co – a potentially unwanted program that's not that easy to get rid of

Searchmy.co is a browser hijacker that modifies browser preferences and prevents from changing them back by adding the “Managed by your organization” feature to Google Chrome browsers. That doesn't mean that this potentially unwanted program[1] (PUP) can't affect other browsers.
Usually, similar threats end up on a device without the user's direct consent. And once it's in, it immediately changes your browser's default search engine, new tab, and homepage. That way, you're forced to visit a search engine of its choice.
Which in this instant is Searchmy.co. The appointed engine might strike some resemblance with Google, but it's nothing alike. It's a fake search engine as it doesn't produce any search results. It redirects users (depending on their geolocation) to other sources.
During our research, the PUP showed results riddled with tons of advertisements from Webcrawler.com. You won't be able to recover your settings until the browser hijacker is completely removed. Keep on reading, and you'll find out how to get your device back on its feet without spending a dime.
| name | Searchmy.co |
|---|---|
| Type | Redirect virus, PUP, browser hijacker |
| Altered browser settings | This PUP changes the default search engine. That automatically changes the new tab and homepage preferences |
| Additional info | Adds the “Managed by your organization” feature to Chrome, making it impossible to restore changed browser settings until the intruder is eliminated |
| IP address | 172.67.146.137 |
| Symptoms | Browser preferences are modified without your permission, all search inquiries going through unknown web pages, search results are displayed from different sources, the device is running slower, as is the internet connection |
| Risks | Privacy issues, other PUP installation, malware infections, financial losses |
| Distribution | Fake Flash Player updates, software bundling, deceptive ads |
| Removal | For automatic elimination, use reliable anti-malware software, followed by manual removal using our free guides posted at the bottom of the article |
| System health fix | Browser hijackers modify not only browser settings but system files too. That's why a system tune-up is in order. Use the time-proven FortectIntego system diagnostics tool to repair any system-related issues |
Browser hijackers are annoying intruders, but they're not even close to the severity of malware, such as ransomware,[2] Trojans, etc. As mentioned before, browser hijacker will show search results from a source of its choice, but with a visible difference.
All search results will be filled with ads. And they might pose some threats, as all that PUP developers care about is making money off of their victims. That's why the ads might redirect you to treacherous websites, which might have explicit or even malicious content, such as:
- other PUPs,
- porn,
- malware,
- various scams,
- gambling,
- push notification viruses, etc.
One more troubling feature of this browser hijacker is that it could open such pages on-demand, i.e., without you clicking on any displayed ads. Thus you might be exposed to hazardous pages which might try to steal your private details, infect your device with malware, push other PUPs, and so on.
And lastly, Searchmy.co and all other browser hijackers can gather information about your browsing habits and your device. Details such as device and browser info, used apps, search inquiries, browsing history, geolocations, and so on are used to customize ads specifically for you, making them irresistible.

That's why cybersecurity eperts[3] highly recommend users remove hijacker immediately. First of all, you need to scan your device with a trustworthy anti-malware tool to eliminate the PUP if it was installed as an app. Free security software such as SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes will do the trick.
Afterward, use our removal instructions below to get rid of the intruder if it's installed as a browser extension. And lastly, use a powerful system repair tool like the FortectIntego app to clean all tracking cookies and resolve any system irregularities that the infection might have caused.
Fake Flash Player installers and updates cause PUP installations
Adobe Flash Player support was discontinued on December 31, 2020, but many people don't know that and various threat actors tend to exploit it. The company is urging to uninstall the program immediately for security purposes. Prompts urging to install or update the Flash Player can be encountered while visiting shady or hacked websites.
If you click on the prompt and install its contents, you will infect your device in-use either with a potentially unwanted program or hazardous malware. Thus please, if you ever see a prompt or an ad to install/update your Flash Player, please close the tab immediately, clean your cookies with compatible system repair software, and never visit that portal again.

Remove browser hijacker swiftly with anti-malware software and our manuals
PUPs can be falsely advertised as useful tools that will increase your online privacy, browsing speed, and so on. In fact, they do the exact opposite by overloading your internet connection, slowing down your device, and posing viable threats both to you and your device in-use.
Therefore, you should remove Searchmy.co as soon as possible. The best way to do it is to run a full system scan with dependable security tools. Such software is necessary to block shady websites, stop you from installing PUPs, and prevent dangerous malware from gaining access to your device.
You will have to finish removal manually by deleting the “Managed by your organization” feature from your Google Chrome browser. Afterward, a system clean-up is in order to get rid of tracking cookies and any residual files of the browser hijacker.
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.
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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