What is SearchLee browser plugin? — Fix Guide

SearchLee – What is it?

“SearchLee” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is spread as a plugin for your internet browser. It is usually advertised as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to search some special info, as an example, about sport events, make your web browser far more secure, allow downloading of any kind of web video, et cetera.

However, the “SearchLee” plugin is fairly ineffective due to the fact that all such functions are currently integrated to your web browser and/or system. Such advertising and marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. However frequently even skilled users are getting caught on such a lure. In certain situations, this hijacker is dispersed together with free apps.

SearchLee Search Hijacker

How harmful is SearchLee hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, SearchLee hijacker is likewise quite hazardous for browser utilization. It changes your search engine to its specific – Searchlee.com, and likewise alters your background, putting its watermark on your wallpaper (or, occasionally, changing it to default with the mentioned symbol).

In addition to seeable modifications done by SearchLee hijacker, you might discover that several of your search inquiries are redirecting to the dubious sites, full of links and advertisements – so-called doorway sites. Such websites can contain web links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting boosts if you attempt to launch Google search page forcibly.

But all these activities are much more annoying than truly harmful. The major danger, particularly for individuals who have a great deal of secret information in their internet browsers, is embedded in data gathering capabilities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited sites, as well as various other activities are simply collected by SearchLee hijacker.

How to remove SearchLee 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 usually pretty very easy to remove. Most of the times, they have an independent app that can be found in the list of installed software. Due to the certain marketing manner of SearchLee hijacker, it can be easily tracked and erased manually. Nevertheless, if you got SearchLee in the package with a free applications, your computer might be contaminated with much more serious malware – trojans, spyware or even ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you make use of anti-malware programs to deal with the SearchLee PUA and all various other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of recognizing and clearing away different malware, including named hijacker. Nevertheless, major malware, that may exist on your PC in the discussed case, can disable the Windows antimalware tool by modifying the Group Policies. To stay clear of such situations, it is better to utilize GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and remove all malicious 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 malicious programs, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and directories.

You can observe the detected viruses sorted by their possible harm till the scan process. But to perform any actions against malicious apps, you need to hold on until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

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

Reset browser settings to original ones

To revert your browser settings, you are required 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 button, the menu will be shown, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing SearchLee 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