by Berta Bilbao | March 30, 2017 | 0 Comments ad-supported application, browser hijacker, redirects

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 malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss HappySearch.org.

HappySearch.org – Distribution Ways

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.

Berta Bilbao

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.

Guide 1: How to Remove HappySearch.org from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of HappySearch.org on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove HappySearch.org in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase HappySearch.org from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall HappySearch.org from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove HappySearch.org from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate HappySearch.org from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable HappySearch.org Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

How to Remove HappySearch.org from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove HappySearch.org

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

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall HappySearch.org 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:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by HappySearch.org 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 HappySearch.org there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

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.

IMPORTANT!
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.

Step 4: Scan for HappySearch.org with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

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.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. 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.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of HappySearch.org from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall HappySearch.org and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to HappySearch.org:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to HappySearch.org. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to HappySearch.org. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

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 HappySearch.org 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:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as HappySearch.org. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

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 HappySearch.org files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as HappySearch.org, 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.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for HappySearch.org:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove HappySearch.org 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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase HappySearch.org 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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall HappySearch.org 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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove HappySearch.org 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 HappySearch.org will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate HappySearch.org 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.