SearchLock browser hijacker removal instructions

SearchLock – What is it?

“SearchLock” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is distributed as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically marketed as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to browse some particular information, for example, about sporting activity events, make your browser a lot more secure, allow downloading of any kind of web video, and so on.

Nonetheless, the “SearchLock” plugin is pretty pointless because all such features are currently embedded to your web browser and/or system. Such marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. But in some cases even qualified users are getting caught on such a lure. In specific situations, this hijacker is spread together with free programs.

SearchLock Search Hijacker

How harmful is SearchLock hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, SearchLock hijacker is additionally fairly hazardous for browser usage. It alters your search engine to its particular – Searchlock.com, and also alters your background, putting its watermark on your wallpaper (or, occasionally, altering it to default with the mentioned symptom).

Besides aesthetic alterations done by SearchLock hijacker, you might observe that several of your search inquiries are redirecting to the dubious websites, full of web links and promotions – so-called doorway sites. Such websites can have web links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting increases if you try to open Google search page by force.

But all these activities are far more irritating than truly dangerous. The main risk, particularly for people who have a huge amount of secret information in their internet browsers, is installed in information collecting functionalities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited sites, as well as various other activities are simply gathered by SearchLock hijacker.

How to remove SearchLock 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 pretty easy to deal with. In most cases, they have an independent application that can be spotted in the list of installed apps. Because of the certain marketing manner of SearchLock hijacker, it can be conveniently tracked and deleted manually. However, if you got SearchLock in the bundle with a free applications, your system can be infected with a lot more dangerous malware – trojans, spyware or perhaps ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you use anti-malware tools to remove the SearchLock PUA and all various other malware.

You can use Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of finding and removing various malware, including named hijacker. Nevertheless, significant malware, that might be present on your computer in the discussed instance, can disable the Windows antimalware tool by modifying the Group Policies. To keep away from such circumstances, it is better to utilize GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and remove all unwanted applications on your 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 folders.

You can spectate the detected malicious programs sorted by their possible hazard during the scan process. But to choose any actions against malicious apps, you need to wait until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

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

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action cannot be counteracted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.

After pressing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be shown, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing SearchLock 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