Remove Search-hq.com From Browser

Easy Steps To Get Rid Of Unsafe Search Tool

Search-hq.com is a fake search engine that you might see set as your default one if your PC is infiltrated by a browser hijacker. While such an app is not a major computer infection, its presence in the machine is still very concerning. You see, soon after getting into your work-station, this hijacking app makes changes to default browser’s settings and assigns itself as the new search tool, homepage and new tab page URL without asking for any approval. It may even install various questionable extensions, plug-ins, and toolbars that help the intruder contribute its malevolent acts.

Threat Details

Name: Search-hq.com

Category: Browser Hijacker, Redirect virus

Characteristics: Modifies default browser’s settings, shows intrusive advertising contents, redirects users to unfamiliar sites

Danger level: Medium

Signs: Browser modifications, regular ads display, page-redirects, etc.

Intrusion: Mostly gets spread via bundled freeware

Search-hq.com: Depth Analysis

Having invaded by Search-hq.com, the compromised web platform will start displaying intrusive advertising contents in forms of pop-ups, banners, coupons, discounts, deals, offers, etc. It will also redirect you to sponsored websites that are trying to boost their web traffic. This is all done by the hijacker in order to earn the pay-per-click and pay-per-view revenue. Every time an ad is clicked or a redirect is made, the app developers are paid a small sort of money. Because most of the ads seem relevant to your latest search queries, you might not prevent yourself from interacting with them.

Reason why Search-hq.com ads appear eye-catching is that they are well customized according to your browsing preferences and interests. The unwanted program, with the help of various tracking objects, spies on your web activities and record information, which is then employed for the target advertising campaign. Nonetheless, just because these ads seem attractive, you should not click on them or else you may land dreadful malware into your computer or get rerouted to rather unsafe web locations. These commercials are not always from the reliable source. So, make sure you stay away from them as much as you can and remove Search-hq.com from the PC straight away to evade unsafe redirects.

Distribution Of Browser Hijacker:

Browser hijackers, adware and other unwanted applications in general penetrate the computer systems via software bundling method along with other free software pieces. This typically comes about when users download freeware off the web and then perform the installation course in hurry. What you need to do is always rely on the Advanced or Custom installation setting which allows you to view and opt-out the unnecessary apps from the bundle. Apart from this, instead of using third-party sources, download or update apps from official or verified sources only, and also protect your system with a reliable security app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Search-hq.com damage my PC?

Browser-based apps are far from being destructive malware or viruses and cannot pose significant damage to your computer. This doesn’t mean it is totally risk-free. It will severely disrupt your online sessions with annoying advertisements and page redirects to unknown websites, some of which can be insecure.

How to evade browser hijacking?

If you don’t want your browser getting hijacked, be very careful when you are online. Never trust random websites, ads, links or other online material. Rely on official sources for your apps downloads or updates and make sure to always have an up-to-date security app installed.

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 Search-hq.com:

Remove the related items of Search-hq.com 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 Search-hq.com 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 (Search-hq.com) 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 Search-hq.com 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 Search-hq.com 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 Search-hq.com 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 Search-hq.com 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 Search-hq.com (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.