Usearch.id virus (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge) - Virus Removal Guide
Usearch.id virus Removal Guide
What is Usearch.id virus?
Usearch.id promises to provide “positive” search results only, but delivers dangerous ads
Usearch.id is a questionable search engine developed by Metranet (Telkom Indonesia Group) and Xertain Media. This search tool is positioned as a “positive” search engine that is suitable for children. Authors of the program claim that this search tool filters results and prohibits sites that spread pornography, gambling, phishing, racism, etc. However, due to its negative features, it is entitled as Usearch.id virus. Although technically it is not a virus, but it might enter the system silently, alter browser’s settings, prevent users from using another search tool from their startup page and deliver an excessive amount of suspicious ads. This behavior allowed to put this cyber infection in browser hijacker’s category. Nevertheless, this app might take control over your browser; there’s a way to get it back. You can quickly scan the device with FortectIntego or another anti-malware program, and it will delete all hijacker-related entries for you. Or you can remove Usearch.id manually by following our prepared instructions at the end of the article.
Usearch.id delivers does not redirect searches to Google, Yahoo or other popular search providers. It uses its own database that allows not only blocking “negative” sites but includes sponsored links as well. Apart from advertisements that show up at the top of search results, some commercial content might be hidden and delivered as regular search results. Undoubtedly, this behavior is unfair and prevents from finding useful information. However, tricking users into visiting sites is one of the ways how developers generate revenue. Clicks on links, ads, and redirects to promotional sites boost income. Meanwhile, users might suffer from unpleasant Usearch.id redirect issues. They might unintentionally end up on dangerous websites. Indeed, it’s a paradox. The search engine is supposed to ban potentially dangerous sites, but displayed ads offer to visit Asian dating site for adults,[1] install questionable software as MacKeeper, and similar content. Clicking on such ads might end up with a cyber attack or privacy-related problems. Thus, you should not only keep away from them but hurry up with Usearch.id removal as well.
The Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions are written in Indonesian and English languages. These documents describe operation principles of the search engine, user’s rights and responsibilities, data collection and sharing, and other important details. Reading these papers is crucial because you must learn how Usearch.id treats your private information. According to the Privacy Policy, this program collects only non-personally identifiable information that is necessary to improve the service. This cliche saying means – to provide interest-based and encouraging ads. Thus, if you are thinking about keeping this tool, you should not forget hijacker’s redirect tendencies.
Browser hijacker travels in software bundles
Usearch spreads as an optional component in software packages. The developers use deceptive software marketing method called “bundling” that allows hiding PUP in the software bundle. If users install programs under Quick/Recommended settings, they might encounter Usearch.id hijack. It might happen because this configuration does not openly disclose about third-party software. As a result, all “additional downloads” are installed on the system silently. Meanwhile, Advanced/Recommended settings reveal the list of extra applications and allow rejecting their installation. Thus, in order to protect your computer from unwanted applications[2] such as Usearch.id, you have always to install new programs using the following setup.
Detailed guidelines for Usearch.id removal
To remove Usearch.id from the browser, you have to uninstall this suspicious program from the computer first. Once it’s done, check the list of browser extensions and delete all suspicious entries too. Finally, reset affected browsers and set your preferred search engine as default one. For extra help, please follow our prepared illustrated instructions below. But you can speed up Usearch.id removal by scanning the computer with anti-malware/anti-spyware program. It’s quick and effective way to terminate hijacker-related components within several minutes.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. 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.
Getting rid of Usearch.id virus. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
If you have decided to remove Usearch.id virus manually, please follow each of the steps carefully. Do not leave any hijacker-related entries because it may lead to the re-hijacked web browser.
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Follow the steps below to remove this potentially unwanted application from the computer.
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- 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:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
After the hijack, you have to reset Microsoft Edge. The guidelines below will help you.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
If Mozilla Firefox suffered from Usearch.id hijacker, you have to check the list of extensions, remove suspicious entries and reset the browser.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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
To delete hijacker entirely, you have to uninstall suspicious extensions, plugins, and other entries. Besides, you should reset Google Chrome to get rid of all tracking cookies that might have been installed as well.
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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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
In order to recover Safari from the hijack and delete it suspicious components from the browser, follow the steps below.
Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Usearch.id registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting stealing programs
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ Joel Lee. 5 Ways Visiting Adult Websites Is Bad for Your Security & Privacy. MakeUseOf. The Website About Technologies, Gadgets And Internet.
- ^ Andy O'Donnell. How to Prevent Browser Hijacking. Lifewire. Tech How-To Guides & Tutorials.