How to remove SearchFor browser hijacker? — Fix Guide

SearchFor – What is it?

“SearchFor” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is distributed as a plugin for your internet browser. It is usually marketed as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to search some specific details, for example, about sporting activity events, make your browser much more secure, allow downloading of any type of video, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

However, the “SearchFor” plugin is quite useless since all such functions are already integrated to your browser and/or system. Such advertising slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. But often even experienced users are getting caught on such a lure. In certain cases, this hijacker is dispersed together with free programs.

SearchFor Search Hijacker

How harmful is SearchFor hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, SearchFor hijacker is also quite harmful for web browser usage. It changes your search engine to its specific – Searchfor.cc, and likewise changes your background, putting its watermark on your wallpaper (or, sometimes, altering it to default with the mentioned sign).

Apart from seeable transformations done by SearchFor hijacker, you may see that some of your search inquiries are redirecting to the untrustworthy sites, full of web links and promotions – so-called doorway sites. Such sites can consist of links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting increases if you attempt to launch Google search page forcibly.

But all these actions are more annoying than really damaging. The largest danger, specifically for people who have a great deal of confidential information in their internet browsers, is embedded in information collecting capabilities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited websites, as well as other activities are easily collected by SearchFor hijacker.

How to remove SearchFor search hijacker?

• Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
• Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
• “Move to quarantine” all items.
• Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
• Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
• Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are almost always very simple to delete. In most cases, they have an independent application that can be seen in the list of installed programs. As a result of the specific distribution way of SearchFor hijacker, it can be quickly tracked and erased manually. Nonetheless, if you got SearchFor in the package with a free applications, your personal computer might be infected with a lot more serious malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you make use of anti-malware tools to remove the SearchFor PUA and all other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of detecting and clearing away various malware, including named hijacker. But major malware, that may exist on your personal computer in the specified instance, can disable the Windows antimalware tool by editing the Group Policies. To stay clear of such situations, it is better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and remove all malicious programs on your personal computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malicious apps, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and folders.

You can spectate the detected malware sorted by their possible harm simultaneously with the scan process. But to perform any actions against malicious apps, you need to wait until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

To choose the action for each spotted malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected virus. By default, all the viruses will be removed to quarantine.

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To revert your browser settings, you need to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be intercepted by any virus, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be located in the Tools tab.

After choosing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be displayed, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing SearchFor hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :

After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

References

1. More information about PUAs
2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender