How to remove MovieSearchBox browser hijacker

Easy tips to delete MovieSearchBox virus

MovieSearchBox is a browser hijacker application that promotes MovieSearchBox.com fake search engine. The app operates by modifying web browsers’ settings. The software within this classification can spy on users’ browsing session as well. Because of shady techniques used for the distribution, browser hijackers are also called potentially unwanted applications.

Browser hijackers reassign browsers’ homepage, new tab pages and search engine options – to the addresses of fake search engines. MovieSearchBox also does such modifications as well. Hence with this rogue piece of software installed, all new tab/ window opened and search queries entered on the URL bar- redirect to the MovieSearchBox.com.

Fake web searchers are not capable of providing search results and so they redirect to or cause a chain of redirection that end up to legit web searchers. The promoted URL by MovieSearchBox is not an exception. It has been observed that the MovieSearchBox.com redirects both to Yahoo search engine and the nearbyme.io – a fraudulent web searcher.

Nearbyme.io is an illegitimate search engine that can generate search results, but they are inaccurate and may promote untrustworthy/ malicious content. Furthermore, you can’t undo those changes made to the browsers’ settings.

The hijacker virus, like other many browser hijacker applications, restricts/ denies access to the browsers’ settings and resets any permitted changes made. Thus, the restoration is possible only after MovieSearchBox removal.

What is more, MovieSearchBox is likely to have data tracking potential since it is a typical browser hijacker’s ability. The information of its interest includes IP addresses, Search queries, viewed pages, URLs visited, ISPs, Geo-locations, Type of OS and browser used and etc.

The gathered data could be shared with and/or sold to third parties/ potent crooks. To sum up, the presence of the potentially unwanted app on system can cause severe system infection, financial loss and identity theft. To avoid all such issues, immediately remove MovieSearchBox and all related components.

How did MovieSearchBox enter in?

PUAs are often downloaded/ installed together with regular software. This false marketing method of packing one app with unwanted and malicious additions is termed as software bundling. Rushed the download/ installation steps increase the risk of inadvertently installation of the unwanted apps to the system.

Intrusive ads can be used to spread PUAs as well. Once clicked on, these ads can execute certain malicious scripts to download/ install these apps without users’ consent. PUAs can have their official promotional/ download pages from where they can be downloaded.

How to avoid PUAs installation?

It is important to research software well before their download/ install and/or purchase. Additionally, only official and verified sources should be used. Untrustworthy downloading channels such as p2p networks, free file hosting sites and third party downloaders/installers often offer dubious and/or bundled content.

When downloading/ installing, it is recommended to read all terms, study possible options, use Custom/Advanced settings and opt out all additionally attached apps, tools, functions and etc. Intrusive ads appear legit and harmless. However, they often open various questionable websites.

If you encounter any such ads/ redirects, immediately check the system for all suspicious applications and browser extensions/ plug-ins for their removal. If the system is already infected with MovieSearchBox, we recommend you use some reputable antivirus tool and remove it right away.

Special Offer (For Windows)

MovieSearchBox can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.

Do make sure to read SpyHunter’s EULA, Threat Assessment Criteria, and Privacy Policy. Spyhunter free scanner downloaded just scans and detect present threats from computers and can remove them as well once, however it requires you to wiat for next 48 hours. If you intend to remove detected therats instantly, then you will have to buy its licenses version that will activate the software fully.

Special Offer (For Macintosh) If you are a Mac user and MovieSearchBox has affected it, then you can download free antimalware scanner for Mac here to check if the program works for you. 

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows Click Here For Mac

Important Note: This malware asks you to enable the web browser notifications. So, before you go the manual removal process, execute these steps.

Google Chrome (PC)

  • Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the Menu button
  • Select “Settings”. Scroll the mouse downward to choose “Advanced” option
  • Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward and then select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
  • Find each suspicious URLs and click on three dots on the right side and choose “Block” or “Remove” option

Google Chrome (Android)

  • Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the menu button and then click on “Settings”
  • Scroll down further to click on “site settings” and then press on “notifications” option
  • In the newly opened window, choose each suspicious URLs one by one
  • In the permission section, select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button

Mozilla Firefox

  • On the right corner of the screen, you will notice three dots which is the “Menu” button
  • Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” in the toolbar present in the left side of the screen
  • Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then choose “Settings” option next to “Notifications”
  • In the newly opened window, select all the suspicious URLs. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block”

Internet Explorer

  • In the Internet Explorer window, select the Gear button present on the right corner
  • Choose “Internet Options”
  • Select “Privacy” tab and then “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
  • Select all the suspicious URLs one by one and click on the “Remove” option

Microsoft Edge

  • Open the Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots on the right corner of the screen to open the menu
  • Scroll down and select “Settings”
  • Scroll down further to choose “view advanced settings”
  • In the “Website Permission” option, click on “Manage” option
  • Click on switch under every suspicious URL

Safari (Mac):

  • On the upper right side corner, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences”
  • Go to “website” tab and then choose “Notification” section on the left pane
  • Search for the suspicious URLs and choose “Deny” option for each one of them

Manual Steps to Remove MovieSearchBox:

Remove the related items of MovieSearchBox using Control-Panel

Windows 7 Users

Click “Start” (the windows logo at the bottom left corner of the desktop screen), select “Control Panel”. Locate the “Programs” and then followed by clicking on “Uninstall Program”

Windows XP Users

Click “Start” and then choose “Settings” and then click “Control Panel”. Search and click on “Add or Remove Program’ option

Windows 10 and 8 Users:

Go to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click. In the “Quick Access” menu, choose “Control Panel”. In the newly opened window, choose “Program and Features”

Mac OSX Users

Click on “Finder” option. Choose “Application” in the newly opened screen. In the “Application” folder, drag the app to “Trash”. Right click on the Trash icon and then click on “Empty Trash”.

In the uninstall programs window, search for the PUAs. Choose all the unwanted and suspicious entries and click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

After you uninstall all the potentially unwanted program causing MovieSearchBox issues, scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs or possible malware infection. To scan the PC, use the recommended the anti-malware tool.

Special Offer (For Windows)

MovieSearchBox can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.

Do make sure to read SpyHunter’s EULA, Threat Assessment Criteria, and Privacy Policy. Spyhunter free scanner downloaded just scans and detect present threats from computers and can remove them as well once, however it requires you to wiat for next 48 hours. If you intend to remove detected therats instantly, then you will have to buy its licenses version that will activate the software fully.

Special Offer (For Macintosh) If you are a Mac user and MovieSearchBox has affected it, then you can download free antimalware scanner for Mac here to check if the program works for you. 

How to Remove Adware (MovieSearchBox) from Internet Browsers

Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from IE

Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and click on “Remove”.

Additional Option

If you still face issues related to MovieSearchBox removal, you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.

Windows XP users: Press on “Start” and click “Run”. In the newly opened window, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on the “Advanced” tab and then press on “Reset”.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the start search box and press enter.  In the newly opened window, click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.

For Windows 8 Users: Open IE and click on the “gear” icon. Choose “Internet Options”

Select the “Advanced” tab in the newly opened window

Press on “Reset” option

You have to press on the “Reset” button again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE

Remove Doubtful and Harmful Extension from Google Chrome

Go to menu of Google Chrome by pressing on three vertical dots and select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. You can search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.

Optional Method

If the problems related to MovieSearchBox still persists or you face any issue in removing, then it is advised that your reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dotted points at the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.

At the bottom, notice the “Reset” option and click on it.

In the next opened window, confirm that you want to reset the Google Chrome settings by click on the “Reset” button.

Remove MovieSearchBox plugins (including all other doubtful plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla

Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”.  Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.

Optional Method

If you face problems in MovieSearchBox removal then you have the option to rese the settings of Mozilla Firefox.

Open the browser (Mozilla Firefox) and click on the “menu” and then click on “Help”.

Choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button

The next step is to confirm that really want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to its default by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.

Remove Malicious Extension from Safari

Open the Safari and go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.

Click on the “Extension” and select all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall”.

Optional Method

Open the “Safari” and go menu. In the drop-down menu, choose “Clear History and Website Data”.

In the newly opened window, select “All History” and then press on “Clear History” option.

Delete MovieSearchBox (malicious add-ons) from Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all the recently installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”

Optional Method

Open the browser (Microsoft Edge) and select “Settings”

Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button

Click on “show more” and then select everything and then press on “Clear” button.

Conclusion

In most cases, the PUPs and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only choose developers website only while downloading any kind of free applications.  Choose custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.

Special Offer (For Windows)

MovieSearchBox can be creepy computer infection that may regain its presence again and again as it keeps its files hidden on computers. To accomplish a hassle free removal of this malware, we suggest you take a try with a powerful Spyhunter antimalware scanner to check if the program can help you getting rid of this virus.

Do make sure to read SpyHunter’s EULA, Threat Assessment Criteria, and Privacy Policy. Spyhunter free scanner downloaded just scans and detect present threats from computers and can remove them as well once, however it requires you to wiat for next 48 hours. If you intend to remove detected therats instantly, then you will have to buy its licenses version that will activate the software fully.

Special Offer (For Macintosh) If you are a Mac user and MovieSearchBox has affected it, then you can download free antimalware scanner for Mac here to check if the program works for you.