Searchtoolshub.com browser hijacker (fake) - Free Guide

What is Searchtoolshub.com browser hijacker?

Searchtoolshub.com takes over the browsing experience to monetize it

Searchtoolshub.com is a bogus web-based app created to make a profit

Searchtoolshub.com is a hijacker that takes over the browser by changing the main settings, like the homepage, new tab address, and search engine. The web-based app can also generate commercial content on the machine, like pop-ups, banners, and cause redirects.

Such extensions are promoted by fraudsters to provide special functions that are not available in a default browser. Some of them say that they provide security or adblocking. This app has a description that says this:

Searching the web is one of the most critical and useful tasks users perform each and every day. By using Search Tools Hub, you can improve your daily search tasks. Our search tools are designed to make searching the web more efficient, and by doing so ease the endless browsing it takes to find what you are looking for.

In reality, the plugin does not provide any benefits to users. It forces people to use only selected channels for browsing which introduces many privacy and security concerns. It implements fake search engines that can lead to misinformation or dangerous pages that try to trick people into providing personal information, downloading PUPs (potentially unwanted programs),^[1] and even malware.

Such applications are created for the purpose of generating revenue. It can do this by redirecting users to promotional sites from rogue advertising networks, placing ads, and monitoring users' activity with cookies.^[2] These small data files can later be sold to third parties.

Distribution techniques

As we mentioned above, applications such as Searchtoolshub.com are promoted on the Internet. Sometimes they have separate promotional websites that list all the non-existent functions that should convince users to download the app. It is important to take a step back and evaluate if the apps you want to download are safe.

We always recommend our readers to only use official web stores and developer sites. However, you should still do your research because sometimes, hijackers sneak through an extensive review process. Read the reviews, look at the ratings and the number of users. You will often find that if you enter the name of the hijacker into the search, not many related results will show up. Try to choose those apps that have plenty of feedback and media coverage.

Another way that this intruder could have appeared in your browser is through freeware^[3] installations. Freeware distribution platforms include additional programs in the installers that monetize user activity. They do not always disclose this information clearly on their sites, in the hopes that most people will not notice.

Searchtoolshub.com might have appeared after an irresponsible installation

Start the removal procedure

You should first try to locate the extension responsible for the changes in your browser settings and move on to the next step:

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 the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

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 on Uninstall at the bottom.

MS Edge (Chromium)

• Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
• Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Mozilla Firefox

• 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 plugin and click Remove.

Safari

• Click Safari > Preferences…
• In the new window, pick Extensions.
• Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.

Clear your browsers

As we mentioned before, extensions can follow your activity with various tracking technologies, like cookies. These parties can read your IP address, geolocation, websites you visit, links you click on, and things you purchase online. Although cookies are not inherently bad, if they end up in the wrong hands, your information can be used for purposes you do not like.

That is why security experts recommend clearing cookies and cache regularly. That can become a very annoying process so you can use a maintenance tool like FortectIntego that can do it automatically. Besides, this software can fix various system errors, corrupted files, and registry issues which is especially helpful after virus infections.

PUPs may be hiding in your machine

The first method may not have gotten rid of the symptoms completely. That is because there might be a PUA hiding in your system. The application can keep messing up your browser until you completely remove it from your device. Identifying the program responsible for the changed settings might be difficult if you have never done this before. The program could be disguised as antivirus, system optimizer, or media player because they are most often installed from freeware distribution sites.

If you want to avoid this happening in the future, you should always choose the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation method, read the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. The most important part is to inspect the file list and uncheck the boxes next to any unrelated programs that you do not need. Of course, the best thing you can do is use official web stores and developer websites and not third parties.

Suppose you do not want to risk deleting the wrong files. In that case, we suggest using SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes professional security tools that will scan your machine, eliminate it, and prevent such infections in the future by giving you a warning before a PUP can make any changes. If you prefer manual removal because you know what to do, we have instructions for Windows and Mac machines:

Windows 10/8:

1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
6. Wait till the uninstallation process is complete and click OK.

Windows 7/XP:

1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are a Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Mac:

1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.