How to remove SpeedDialSearch browser hijacker

Complete guide to delete SpeedDialSearch

SpeedDialSearch is a potentially unwanted application categorized as browser hijacker. It is designed to modify browsers’ settings on compromised system to promote a fake search engine – SpeedDialSearch.com. Additionally, this app has the capability to track and collect users’ browsing based data. The app often gets installed unknowingly/ unintentionally. Various deceptive techniques lead its stealth installation. Since it intrudes in without users’ consent, it is deemed to be potentially unwanted application.

Browser hijacker type applications typically operate by assigning fake web search addresses as browsers’ homepage, new tab page and search engine options. SpeedDialSearch also makes such alterations to browsers. It promotes a fake search engine named speedialsearch.com. Due to the changes into the browsers’ settings, each opened tab and enter query on the URL bar- redirect to the aforementioned website. The promoted URL by SpeedDialSearch is a fake search engine. It is considered as fake because it is not able to provide search results.

Illegitimate web searchers typically display search results generated by some legit web searchers like Google, Bing or Yahoo or other genuine ones. The SpeedDialSearch.com website simply redirects its visitors to search.yahoo.com – Yahoo web search engine. You can’t undo the changes made to the browsers’ settings until the hijacker virus presents on system. It is designed in a way to restrict/ deny the users’ access to the browsers settings. The PUA can reset any possible changes made by you.

What’s more, the PUA can have the dangerous data tracking feature. It can collect the data include IP addresses, Search queries, Viewed pages, URLs visited, ISP, Geo-locations, Type of OS and browser used and etc. These data could be shared and/or sold to third parties or misused in some illicit activities to generate income. Thus, the presence of the unwanted app on the system can cause serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To protect the system and user safety, it is advised to remove all suspicious apps and browser extensions/ plug-ins right away upon detection.

How did SpeedDialSearch enter my system?

PUAs are often distributed through download/ installation setups of other software. This deceptive marketing technique of packing one app with unwanted and malicious ones – is called bundling. Rushed the download/ installation process, e.g., ignored terms, skipped steps and sections, used pre-set options and etc – increase the risk of inadvertent installation of unwanted apps. Once clicked on, intrusive ads can cause PUAs download/ installation as well. They cause system infection when they are designed to run malicious scripts upon being clicked.

How to prevent PUAs installation?

It is recommended to research software well before their download/ install and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be done using official websites and direct links. Untrustworthy downloading channel 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 advised to real all terms, explore possible items, use Custom/Advanced settings and opt out all additionally attached apps and decline all offers. Additionally, do not click ads on any shady pages. These ads are often designed to open the pages of same kind or cause unwanted downloads by running malicious scripts.

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 SpeedDialSearch:

Remove the related items of SpeedDialSearch 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 SpeedDialSearch 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.

How to Remove Adware (SpeedDialSearch) 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 SpeedDialSearch 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 SpeedDialSearch 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 SpeedDialSearch 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 SpeedDialSearch 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 SpeedDialSearch (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.