Searchtown.net – a browser hijacker also recognized as Patriot PDF Converter for Macs
Searchtown.net, also known as Patriot PDF Converter, is a browser-hijacking application that attacks Mac computers and their browser apps. Mac users have already been complaining about this potentially unwanted program appearing on their Apple machines.[1] Once Searchtown.net virus reaches browsers such as Safari, Chrome, or Firefox, it sets the homepage to Searchtown.net, the new tab search zone to Searchtown New Tab Search, and modifies the default search provided to https://searchtown.net. In addition, this browser hijacker is linked to the 141.8.225.124 IP address.
| Name | Searchtown.net |
|---|---|
| Alternative name | Patriot PDF Converter |
| Type | Browser hijacker/potentially unwanted program |
| Search settings | This browser hijacker is capable of changing the default search engine to https://searchtown.net, the homepage to Searchtown.net, and the new tab search to Searchtown New Tab Search |
| Serving IP | 141.8.225.124 IP address is where this domain comes from |
| OS-based | This potentially unwanted program has been created to target Mac OS X users and their machines/browser apps |
| Activities | The hijacker promotes the advertising of rogue products, redirecting the user to affiliate networks, collecting browsing-related data, etc. |
| Found in | You can find browser hijackers on your computer system after completing unsecured downloads, installing fake Flash Player updates, or visiting unsafe sources such as Torrent websites |
| Identification | Use software such as FortectIntego to identify all suspicious strains on your Mac computer that might be related to the browser hijacker |
Searchtown.net should not be categorized as malware itself but it sometimes gets the name of “virus” due to unwanted performance of bogus activities and the stealth installation process that it promotes. Mostly, hijackers appear while performing free software downloads, through fake flash player updated, or torrent-based websites.
Once the infiltration happens, Searchtown.net will hijack one or multiple web browser applications and might even provide some beneficial-looking features which truly are just a trick to lure you into using the app more often. Usually, developers insert fast access to various communication platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, and some news/weather sources.
However, do not get too satisfied with these features as it is only a small glimpse throughout the entire unwanted activity flow that will definitely approach you later. Searchtown.net will supposedly start redirecting you to affiliate sources some of which might turn out to be potentially dangerous and seek to infect you with dangerous malware such as a Trojan virus, or similar.
In addition, you might start receiving intrusive advertising content from Searchtown.net domain while completing browsing sessions and online activities. The browser hijacker might support bogus products and services and try to convince you to spend your money on purchasing some questionable computer repair software.
By the way, browser hijackers such as Searchtown.net are known to fill settings with browser helper objects (BHO) such as extensions, plug-ins, and similar. In addition, the PUP might insert tracking cookies into your web browsers that allow the developers to spy on your online sessions and track what kind of deals are relevant to you at the moment.
All in all, as you can see Searchtown.net Mac promotes a big variety of activities that can be performed all at once. Due to the big intensity of these processes, you might start facing regular browser slowdowns, crash downs, and struggle to maintain full-quality browsing. Besides, search results that come from this domain might be provided by a legitimate search service such as Yahoo or Bing so there is no actual need for using the browser hijacker instead.
Finding yourself troubling to maintain browsing processes, annoyed by intrusive notifications and redirects, leads only to one option – Searchtown.net removal. This type of task can be carried out by using our step-by-step guidelines that can be found at the end of the article or by employing automatical software for full computer cleaning.
However, if you are a less-skilled computer user or just do not put your effort towards manual elimination, you should definitely choose to remove Searchtown.net with trustworthy antimalware. Before you begin, download and install FortectIntego software and search for all browser-hijacker related objects that might be hidden on your Mac system.
Browser hijackers can be found in mysterious places all over the web
Experts from NoVirus.uk website claim that potentially unwanted programs, including browser hijackers, are distributed by using more than one silent technique. However, most often, developers inject suspicious products into freeware/shareware packages, place infectious hyperlinks or ads on third-party websites such as torrents, fake flash player updates. If you want to keep your computer protected from such bogus components, you should:
- Opt for the safest installation option. Make sure to choose Custom/Advanced settings instead of Quick/Recommended configuration. The first variant allows tracking all incoming downloads and deselecting all unwanted objects.
- Prevent yourself from accessing unsafe pages. Avoid visiting third-party networks, especially, p2p networks such as The Pirate Bay and Torrents where downloading links might include infectious objects.
- Keep your programs always updated. Make sure to regularly update all of your software and do not get tricked by false app updates such as Flash Player.
- Install antimalware security. Always have an AV engine running on your computer system that will ensure safe browsing, protect you from potential malware, and allow you to perform regular system check-ups.
Virus removal instructions for Searchtown.net virus
Searchtown.net removal is a process that can be carried out by using anti-malware software or manual step-by-step guidelines. We have provided some instructions below for your Mac OS X system and web browser applications such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari.
However, if you find it to hard to remove Searchtown.net on your own, you should employ reliable antivirus programs to perform the process for you. These tools are capable of finding all infected locations on your computer system and cleaning them in a few minutes of time.
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 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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