Remove TheSearch.net virus (Virus Removal Guide)
What should you know before using theSearch.net?
TheSearch.net virus might hijack your computer whether you are a regular Internet user or just occasionally browse the Web. This search engine might look like a reliable search engine. It doesn’t require any special knowledge to see that this browsing tool fails to perform the same as a reliable and legitimate tool. However, you should be aware that this PUP belongs to the category of browser hijackers. It means that you might be redirected to a completely different domain, or your browser might be stuffed with an enormous amount of intrusive banners and commercial offers. We highly recommend you to proceed to theSearch.net removal. For that purpose, Reimage Reimage Cleaner will be of assistance.
The developers of this hijacker did not try hard to create an impelling and attractive design. On the other hand, they anticipate that without colorful veneer they will attract more users who are quality-oriented. It does not offer you any quick access links to popular domains or other references to affiliated domains. Though this might be hijacker’s advantage, its drawbacks significantly outweigh. When you type any topic, the number of delivered search results is ridiculously low.
Questions about TheSearch.net virus
While legitimate search databases provide millions of search results, theSearch.net fails to keep up. It might look like as if it uses Google as the main database, however, do not fall into deception. Because this hijacker employs a certain “filter”, it provides different search results. You might notice that there are more advertising-related search targets. In addition, this questionable browsing tool deprived you of the ability to evade potentially dangerous websites because it switches off the security plug-in.
In addition, theSearch.net redirect becomes a burden. Due to this phenomenon, you cannot access the wanted websites as quickly as you expect. The emerging redirect pop-ups greatly slow down the overall speed of the browser processing. Keep in mind that you should not visit those domains either since they might shelter vivid malware. All in all, remove theSearch.net permanently.
The transmission ways of the hijacker
Crooks and developers of such questionable browsing tools prefer using “bundling’ technique for distributing purposes. Unfortunately, this technique proves to be highly profitable because the Internet users still avoid reading “Terms of Use” or give a second look to the installation process. As a consequence, you also overlooked the add-on which hid TheSearch hijacker. Next time you intend to install a new application, select “Advanced” mode. This will enable you to see optional software. If you find it unnecessary, unmark its checkbox. Such sequence of actions will assist you in detecting a PUP on time before it settles on the computer.
How should I remove TheSearch.net?
There are two ways to put an end to this hijacker – either manually or automatically. If you opt for the former method, make sure not to miss any vital detail while performing each removal stage. Some users might find this method time-consuming and bothersome. In that case, opt for the automatic TheSearch.net removal option. Install an anti-spyware application. Afterward, the elimination process will only take several minutes. You can be sure that the hijacker is completely deleted. Additionally, it guards your back while you browse the Web.
You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner . SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove TheSearch.net virus, follow these steps:
Delete TheSearch.net from Windows systems
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Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
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If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
- Uninstall TheSearch.net and related programs
Here, look for TheSearch.net or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove TheSearch.net from Windows shortcuts
Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties. -
Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus.
Repeat steps that are given above with all browsers' shortcuts, including Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Make sure you check all locations of these shortcuts, including Desktop, Start Menu and taskbar.
Uninstall TheSearch.net from Mac OS X system
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If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for TheSearch.net or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Eliminate TheSearch.net from Internet Explorer (IE)
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Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons. -
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for TheSearch.net and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
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Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
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When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete TheSearch.net removal.
Get rid of TheSearch.net virus from Microsoft Edge
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
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Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
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Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
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Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
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Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
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When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
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Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
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Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, TheSearch.net should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
Erase TheSearch.net from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select TheSearch.net and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General. - Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
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Click OK to save these changes.
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Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. -
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete TheSearch.net removal.
Remove TheSearch.net from Google Chrome
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select TheSearch.net and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
Click on menu icon and choose Settings. -
Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages.
- Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
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Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
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When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
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Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
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Click Reset to confirm this action and complete TheSearch.net removal.
Delete TheSearch.net from Safari
- Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. -
Here, select Extensions and look for TheSearch.net or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General. -
Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by TheSearch.net, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the "http://" before typing in the address of the page.
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Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete TheSearch.net removal process.
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Your opinion regarding TheSearch.net virus
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July 21st, 2016 at 7:11 am
What a boring hijacker…
July 21st, 2016 at 7:12 am
At first, looks harmless, but it is surely annoying!