Skip to content
  • Active
  • Severity: High
  • Stealing programs
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Dec 2015

How to remove Searchperform.com virus

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

Jake Doevan · Computer technology expert

Been negatively surprised finding Searchperform.com URL set as your new homepage and search engine in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and other web browsers? You should be surprised though because the emergence of this URL in your web browser’s address bar is an indication that you have developed the wrong habits related to software installation. Besides, Searchperform.com search engine and a new tab window mean that your web browser has been hijacked and now needs a proper maintenance. Opening web browser’s settings and changing a default homepage settings will not help in this case because Searchperform.com is a stubborn search engine that can have hidden files or bypass removal using other questionable methods. Thus, to remove it and restore web browser’s settings once and for all, perform a full system scan with FortectIntego or an alternative anti-malware (necessary updated!).

What is the purpose of Searchperform.com redirect virus?

Searchperform.com is a search engine owned by search.telkom.co.id. This company is said to be the “global leader in search engine marketing and web traffic generation.” Unfortunately, but the reliability of this company and this product is highly questionable. Recent malware studies have proved the fact that Searchperform.com is a browser hijacker and potentially unwanted program (PUP). Security experts have figured out that it is used for several purposes:

  1. Reduce the popularity of Google, Bing, Yahoo and other mainly used search engines;
  2. Promoted Searchperform.com fake search;
  3. Boost traffic to affiliate websites;
  4. Display sponsored pop-ups and generate pay-per-click revenue;
  5. Enable cookies and collect browsing-related information (vital for affiliate marketing);
  6. Misused PC’s CPU memory for its needs.

In a nutshell, Searchperform.com hijack is not an issue that can be ignored. The longer you keep this browser hijacker activated, the more issue it can cause. Therefore, do not postpone its removal and do it right now.

Searchperform.com virus hijacks browsers and displays altered search results

How does this fake search spread around the web and how to avoid its hijack?

Searchperform.com malware is mostly spread in a form of web browser plug-in via freeware bundles, what means that you can install it without realizing that. Unfortunately, but software packages seldom consist of the main installer and single attachment so that Searchperform.com virus may be just one of the several potentially critical programs lurking in the system. Bundled freewares are traced both on reliable and suspicious third-party download sites. Therefore, to protect your computer from unwanted apps, it’s a must to check Custom or Advanced installation setup of each freeware and find check boxes saying that you agree to install Searchperform.com or another PUP.

What signs do reveal Searchperform.com hijack?

The most prominent sign of Searchperform.com hijack is modifications of web browser’s (IE, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera) settings. In other words, you may find this page appointed as your new default search engine and search provider. Besides, you may start receiving altered search results that feature tens of suspicious links and a bunch of pop-up advertisements. As we have already pointed out, it does so to make people visit affiliate websites. The core problem here is trustfulness of Searchperform.com redirects. The company does not take any responsibility for the third-party content, so clicking on any of the links pose a risk of ending up of websites involved in malware/virus spread. Also, you should not underestimate the leakage of personally non-identifiable information (search queries, pages viewed, IP address, PC’s location, etc.) because it may also be used against you.

How to readjust web browser’s settings after a hijack?

You will not be able to restore web browser’s settings as long as Searchperform.com or another browser hijacker resides in the system. As soon as the extension is disabled, you will be allowed to change DNS settings on each of your web browsers. In fact, you can remove Searchperform.com automatically with the help of a professional anti-malware. This method is 100% reliable. Nevertheless, you can always remove PUPs by yourself. To make this task easier, we have submitted a step-by-step Searchperform.com removal guide.

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

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

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

4 comments

Read in your language

Spyware news
Privacy preferences

We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze traffic. Some cookies enable embedded content like videos and social posts. Choose what you allow — you can change this anytime.