Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Note! Your computer might be affected by HappySearch.org and other threats.
Threats such as HappySearch.org may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
This article will aid you to remove HappySearch.org totally. Follow the browser hijacker removal instructions at the bottom of this article.
HappySearch.org is a web domain for a browser hijacker redirect that goes by the same name as its URL – “Happy Search”. The hijacker might redirect you to unknown websites and might show you sponsored advertisements and targeted content whenever you use the HappySearch service. This hijacker can modify the homepage, the new tab, plus your current search engine for all browser programs that you use.
Threat Summary
Name
HappySearch.org
Type
Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description
Every browser program located on your computer device might get affected. The hijacker will redirect you and display numerous advertisements in its search results.
Symptoms
Browser settings which could be altered are the homepage, default search engine and the new tab page.
Distribution Method
Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages
Detection Tool
See If Your System Has Been Affected by HappySearch.org
The HappySearch.org hijacker could be distributed using various ways. One of them is via third-party installations. The installer setups might be inside bundled applications and freeware which could be designed to install more components by default. That might happen without you knowing. You could have tried installing a converter app or other free software and got your browser settings altered by the hijacker. Preventing undesired programs like these from installing on your computer is doable if you find Custom or Advanced settings in the setup.
HappySearch.org could be distributed with other ways, as well. These ways typically involve a browser extension or an add-on that installs on your browser applications. Other distribution methods use advertisements, like banners, pop-ups, pop-unders, and redirect links. Targeted content, as well as sponsored advertising on suspicious websites might also distribute the hijacker. Those websites could be partnered up or affiliated with HappySearch.org in a way. The following browsers can be affected: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari.
HappySearch.org – Detailed Analysis
HappySearch.org is the Web domain for a browser hijacker that is named after it and that is precisely, “HappySearch”. You will get redirected and witness sponsored advertisement from its search results and links which can be found on the pages of the related website. The main page is displayed below in the following snapshot:
HappySearch.org is a service of a browser hijacker that will redirect you and could display lots of advertisements when you are using it. The search results will load in a redirect, which uses its own search engine. Each search inquiry that you make will send information to servers that are associated with the hijacker in question. The page that is shown in the above screenshot replaces the homepage, new tab and the default search engine for almost every browser that you have installed on your computer. Extensions, including browser add-ons which are connected to the unwanted application could be found around the Internet, having similar browser hijacking capabilities as the redirect.
Various types of redirect links to external websites could show up, which can send you to another domain address than the one that you see being advertised. Be careful around any links that seem suspicious and about what you click on or what sites you visit when browsing with the HappySearch services.
The image that is displayed under this paragraph shows an example of a search query, made with the HappySearch.org search engine. All results made through it, show a lot of different websites. This hijacker might open more than one webpage once you access a link from it. Moreover, it will filter every search query that you make, so take note of that. Thus, everything that you provide as information will be sent to the servers associated with the browser hijacker and its developers.
The website can display numerous advertisements, as seen above, plus many more across webpages you visit and redirects which can fill your computer machine with browser cookies that can track you. Additional tracking technologies could be implemented, too. Refrain from clicking on links and advertisements, as they could gather even more information about you, as well.
HappySearch.org – Privacy Policy
The Privacy Policy of the HappySearch.org site is located in the footer of the main Web address of the website. The policy provides enough insight about the data collection done by the browser hijacker. Keep on reading and see what data exactly could be collected from you when you are using the services of HappySearch.org.
You can view the Privacy Policy from the picture down here:
All information provided in the list below will get acquired from you, according to the Policy.
Your IP address
Your E-mail address
Browser type
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Webpages that you visit
Any information you provide, including such data regarding registration
To add to the information that is stated to be collected above, browser cookies are also dropped by the website and the service of HappySearch will collect more information about you and your online habits.
In conclusion, you should be careful with what information you share and give out to search engines or websites, such as those. Also, in case you do not like any personal information to be collected from you by this browser hijacker, you should consider removing it as soon as possible.
Remove HappySearch.org Completely
To remove HappySearch.org manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the hijacker redirect and its files completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such a program can keep your computer safe in the future.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by HappySearch.org or other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as HappySearch.org. Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
To remove HappySearch.org follow these steps:
1. Uninstall malicious programs from Windows
OFFER
Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!
We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter’s malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria
How to Uninstall malicious programs 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:
Hold the Windows Logo Button and “R” on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear (fig.1).
In the field type in “appwiz.cpl” and press ENTER (fig.2).
This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall” (fig.3).
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
2. Clean your Browser and Registry from HappySearch.org
Remove HappySearch.org by cleaning your Browser and Registry.
Remove an extension from Mozilla FirefoxRemove an extension from Google Chrome Remove an extension from Internet Explorer Remove an extension from Microsoft Edge Fix registry entries created by HappySearch.org on your PC.
Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu.
Select the unwanted extension and click “Remove“
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.
Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Move the cursor over “Tools” and then from the extended menu choose “Extensions“
From the opened “Extensions” menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its “Remove” button.
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.
Start Internet Explorer:
Click on the gear icon labeled ‘Tools’ to open the drop menu and select ‘Manage Add-ons’
In the ‘Manage Add-ons’ window.
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’.
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.
Start Edge
Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
From the drop menu select “Extensions”.
Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove HappySearch.org with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for HappySearch.org and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove HappySearch.org. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.
It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the ‘Next’ button.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future
IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.
Remove an extension from Mozilla Firefox
Remove an extension from Google Chrome
Remove an extension from Internet Explorer
Remove an extension from Microsoft Edge
Fix registry entries created by HappySearch.org on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for HappySearch.org and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
