SearchGoose Removal (searchgoose.com)

SearchGoose – What is it?

“SearchGoose” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is promoted as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically shared as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that helps to browse some specific details, for instance, about sport events, make your browser much more safe, enable downloading of any type of video clip, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nonetheless, the “SearchGoose” plugin is rather useless due to the fact that all such features are already embedded to your browser and/or system. Such marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. However frequently even qualified users are getting caught on such an attraction. In specific instances, this hijacker is spread together with free tools.

SearchGoose Search Hijacker

How harmful is SearchGoose hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, SearchGoose hijacker is also quite hazardous for browser usage. It alters your search engine to its specific – searchgoose.com, and additionally changes your background, adding its watermark on your background image (or, sometimes, changing it to default with the specified symptom).

In addition to aesthetic alterations done by SearchGoose hijacker, you might notice that a couple of your search questions are redirecting to the dubious websites, filled with links and promotions – so-called doorway websites. Such sites can include links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting increases if you attempt to launch Google search page forcibly.

But all these actions are much more frustrating than really hazardous. The biggest danger, primarily for individuals who have a lot of confidential information in their browsers, is installed in data collecting functionalities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited websites, as well as various other activities are simply collected by SearchGoose hijacker.

How to remove SearchGoose 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 generally very simple to deal with. In many cases, they have an independent application that can be seen in the list of installed programs. Because of the specific distribution manner of SearchGoose hijacker, it can be simply tracked and removed by hand. However, if you got SearchGoose in the bundle with a free applications, your computer may be infected with much more serious malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d recommend you use anti-malware tools to remove the SearchGoose PUA and all various other malware.

You can use Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of detecting and clearing away different malware, including mentioned hijacker. However, significant malware, that might be present on your computer in the discussed situation, can disable the Windows antivirus program by editing the Group Policies. To stay clear of such circumstances, it is far better to make use of GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and delete all unwanted 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 malware, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and directories.

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

To set the action for every detected virus or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious program. By default, all malware 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 cannot be counteracted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This action 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 SearchGoose 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