How to Remove MovieSearchBox Hijacker [Full Guide]

by Gergana Ivanova | August 5, 2021 | 0 Comments browser hijacker, browser redirect, PUP

What is MovieSearchBox?MovieSearchBox Summary How to Remove MovieSearchBox from Affected Browser and Secure PC

What is MovieSearchBox?

MovieSearchBox is a potentially unwanted program detected to act like browser hijacker. It is an annoying browser infection that can change the main browser preferences to force the browser to show a hoax search engine. All unwanted activities may occur without your permission.

Using the suspicious services of bogus search engines is highly inadvisable because the results they display may trick you to visit questionable sites that expose the overall system security at risk. One more reason to get rid of the hoax MovieSearchBox hijacker is to prevent it from collecting certain details from the affected browser and system.

Furthermore, the presence of this hijacker in your browser may lead to intrusive ad generation. All annoying ads may lower your online security by linking to shady/corrupted sites. The sooner you check the security of your system and ensure that no suspicious or potentially harmful files are running on it, the better.

MovieSearchBox Summary

Name	MovieSearchBox
Type	Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description	An unreliable search engine that hijacks popular browsers and forces people to use its services in order to collect data and monetize its access to the browser.
Symptoms	Browser homepage, new tab page and default search engine redirect to the domain portal.moviesearchbox.com Browser slowdowns may occur due to increased number of online ads. The unwanted program may start every time you start the operating system.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, Corrupted Website
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool

Why do you see MovieSearchBox hijacker on your browser?

As we noted, MovieSearchBox is a PUP that acts like a browser hijacker. It tries to push a questionable search engine in order to convince people to provide information about their searches and browsing behavior. The hijacker may be set to affect commonly used web browsers including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Microsoft Edge, and Safari.

The most common problem that enables bogus search engines like MovieSearchBox to hijack some of the main browser preferences is the unnoticed installation of potentially unwanted programs. Such a program may have landed on your PC by being included in the installer of a program you have recently downloaded.

Nowadays, the web is full of various third-party applications that are presented as helpful but deliver all types of “extra apps” via their installers. Most of those apps can be obtained for free which makes them even more attractive. We all use free versions of different applications but it is of paramount importance that all of us practice caution when installing free apps.

Their installers may feature potentially unwanted apps that should be kept away from the system. Added extra apps may be installed by default by the setup. So, we recommend that you don’t skip reading the information listed in the Advanced/Custom configuration option as it may help you detect the presence of any undesired apps before you agree with their installation.

What a browser hijacker like MovieSearchBox can do when it obtains access to a computer system is a few changes that affect browser preferences. The homepage, the new tab page, and the default search engine may be all set to load the poorly secured site portal.moviesearchbox.com by the hijacker. As a result, you are forced to use the services of a bogus search engine that aims to record searches and make you more prone to click sponsored results.

By activating different tracking technologies, the hijacker may collect certain details, as well:

Search queries;
Type of used browser;
Clicks on links;
Browsing history;
Operating system type;
Geographic location;
Internet protocol (IP) address;
The domain name of current Internet service provider (ISP).

Similar to other browser redirects/hijackers (Codingcaptcha.com, Underline Hijacker, X1.c.lencr.org), MovieSearchBox is likely to connect to a remote server and transfer all harvested details. Then its owners may use the data to set advertising campaigns that are close to your onlne interests.

MovieSearchBox may not be a virus but its presence on your PC may lead to serious issues that affect both system security and personal data privacy. To avoid unpleasant consequences, navigate to the removal instructions below and get rid of this undesired and potentially harmful program.

How to Remove MovieSearchBox from Affected Browser and Secure PC

To remove MovieSearchBox redirect along with all files established to support its activities, you should complete several removal steps in a precise order. The guide below presents you with both manual and automatic removal approaches. In order to fully get rid of files installed by undesired programs and strengthen PC security, we recommend that you combine the steps. 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 MovieSearchBox from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of MovieSearchBox on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove MovieSearchBox in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase MovieSearchBox from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall MovieSearchBox from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove MovieSearchBox from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate MovieSearchBox from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable MovieSearchBox 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 MovieSearchBox from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove MovieSearchBox

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 MovieSearchBox 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 MovieSearchBox 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 MovieSearchBox 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 MovieSearchBox 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 MovieSearchBox from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall MovieSearchBox 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 MovieSearchBox:

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 MovieSearchBox. 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 MovieSearchBox. 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 MovieSearchBox 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 MovieSearchBox. 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 MovieSearchBox files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as MovieSearchBox, 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 MovieSearchBox:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

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

Remove MovieSearchBox 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 MovieSearchBox 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 MovieSearchBox 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 MovieSearchBox 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 MovieSearchBox 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 MovieSearchBox 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.