Inmate Search is classified as a browser hijacker that pushes hoax search engine. It is also considered to be an undesired program due to the fact that it tends to appear in popular web browsers without users’ knowledge and permission. The undesired program often lands on computer devices via shady spreading techniques. Security experts advise affected users to remove Inmate Search hijacker and associated files from their affected devices as soon as the issues they cause.
In this guide, you will find instructions on how to remove Inmate Search hijacker from the affected browser and its files from the system.
Threat Summary
| Name | Inmate Search hijacker |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, Hoax Search Engine, PUP |
| Short Description | A questionable search enigne that hijacks browser homepage, new tab page and default search engine. All modifications happen without your knowledge. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, new tab page and search enigne in preferred web browser are set to display the hoax search engine Inmate Search Browser is slowed down by an increased number of online ads. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Inmate Search hijacker. |
Inmate Search Browser Hijacker – Spread Techniques and Impact
Inmate Search is a hoax search engine that affects popular web browsers. Its design is simple and intuitive. However, beware as it has been reported to be yet another browser hijacker. By pushing its searching services, Inmate Search aims to obtain search queries, track browsing history and trick users into visiting sponsored content.
There are several common spreading techniques that are known to deliver potentially unwanted programs like Inmate Search browser hijacker on computer systems. These techniques include software bundles, malvertising, freeware with corrupted installers, fake software updates, and other. Oftentimes, owners of undesired programs choose software bundles and corrupted software for the propagation of their apps.
So you might have installed the hijacker during the installation process of another supposedly useful app. Unfortunately, it is easy to agree with the installation of some extras without noticing their presence as the information about all installer’s components is rarely disclosed properly.
When a hijacker is started on a system it accesses targeted web browsers so that it can alter some of their main settings. Usually, browser hijackers like Inmate Search affect browser homepage, start page, new tab page and default search engine.
Beware that Inmate Search is a hoax search engine that primarily aims to generate revenue to its owners by generating sponsored results and additional online ads. All these ads generated in the browser may make it sluggish and even unresponsive sometimes. Be careful and better avoid visiting ads by Inmate Search because some of them may load poorly secured or hacked web pages.
Visiting corrupted web pages can lead to unnoticed malware activation. There are many hacked web pages are designed to start a background service that drops malicious code on the system and then activates it without your knowledge.
For the sake of your PC security, it’s best to consider the complete removal of Inmate Search hijacker from the affected browser and system.
How to Remove Inmate Search Browser Hijacker
In order to remove Inmate Search browser hijacker along with all associated files, you should complete several removal steps in a precise order. The guide below presents you manual and automatic removal approach. In order to fully get rid of files installed by undesired programs and strengthen PC security, we recommend that you combine the steps. The manual Inmate Search hijacker removal might be quite a complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps, navigate to the automatic part of the guide.
In case you have further questions or need additional help with the removal process, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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- Guide 1: How to Remove Inmate Search hijacker from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Inmate Search hijacker from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Inmate Search hijacker from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Inmate Search hijacker from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Inmate Search hijacker from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Inmate Search hijacker from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Inmate Search hijacker from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Inmate Search hijacker from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Inmate Search hijacker
Step 2: Uninstall Inmate Search hijacker and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Inmate Search hijacker on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Inmate Search hijacker there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of Inmate Search hijacker from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Inmate Search hijacker and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Inmate Search hijacker via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove Inmate Search hijacker files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Inmate Search hijacker, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Inmate Search hijacker from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase Inmate Search hijacker from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall Inmate Search hijacker from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Inmate Search hijacker from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Inmate Search hijacker will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Inmate Search hijacker from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
