Searchytdau.com – a dubious search engine which operates as a browser hijacker

Searchytdau.com is a Yahoo based search engine created by Polarity Technologies. Despite its legitimate appearance, it’s not worth trusting. It spreads as a Search Swapper extension hidden in freeware or shareware packages, sneaks into the system unnoticed and hijacks each of the installed web browsers soon after the installation.
| Summary | |
|---|---|
| Name | Searchytdau.com |
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Danger level | Medium. Can alter browser's settings |
| Developer | Polarity Technologies |
| Symptoms | Changed search engine, homepage, and new tab URL address |
| Distribution | Software bundles |
| To uninstall Searchytdau.com, install FortectIntego and run a full system scan | |
Searchytdau.com virus is created for controlling user’s browsing sessions and generating revenue from advertising. The search engine redirects search queries to Yahoo in order to create a legit-looking image. However, when users click on results or ads, they might be rerouted to highly suspicious third-party sites.
As you can see, Search Swapper virus is capable of triggering redirects which not only diminish browsing experience but might force to visit dangerous sites too. Some links or ads might lead to phishing, tech support scam, virus infected or other deceptive websites.[1] Hence, keeping this application on your device increases the risk of cyber attack.
Additionally, Searchytdau.com tracks various information about users and possibly shares aggregated details with third-parties, such as advertising networks, unknown companies or individuals who have shady purposes how to use it.
According to the Privacy Policy, Searchytdau.com might collect these details:
- browser type;
- operating system type;
- IP address;
- geographic location;
- ISP;[2]
- URLs and websites that you visit;
- search queries;
- etc.
All these details are considered to be non-personally identifiable. However, in some cases, they might collect personal information as well. It goes without saying that you should pay attention to these details written in the privacy policy and get rid of this program as soon as you can to protect from further problems.
However, Searchytdau.com removal might not be simple. This browser hijacker is capable of making changes to the system, altering Chrome, Firefox or other installed browser’s settings, installing helper objects and performing other tasks necessary for keeping this program installed.
Fortunately, you can terminate these problems in two ways. Firstly, you can remove Searchytdau.com by following our manual elimination guide given below. Secondly, you can let the anti-malware software clean the device for you. If you are interested in the latter method, we recommend launching a free scan with FortectIntego right now!

Distribution methods of the browser hijacker
The primary distribution method of the hijacker is software bundling. As we have mentioned at the beginning, this potentially unwanted program (PUP) spreads as a browser extension attached to freeware or shareware. Hence, software bundling technique helps to get into the system unnoticed.
Searchytdau.com hijack can occur when installing freeware using Quick/Recommended settings. According to the researchers from NoVirus.uk,[3] the majority of users rely on them; however, it’s a bad habit. These settings do not inform about third-party programs suggested to install together with the primary program.
To avoid unwanted apps, you have to use Advanced/Custom settings and monitor the installation. Opt out all suggested additional applications that might not be safe to your PC.
Eliminate Searchytdau.com redirect virus from the device
We recommend automatic Searchytdau.com removal with anti-malware software. However, after the system scan, you should consider resetting affected browsers as well. It helps to delete tracking cookies and other “spying tools.”
However, if you want to remove Searchytdau.com manually, you should find our removal guide below handy. Please follow each of the steps attentively. If the hijacker comes back, please switch to automatic elimination option to clean leftovers.
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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