What is Search Anything page? Which program causes Search Anything redirects? How to remove the unwanted program, causing Search Anything redirects from your computer?
The Search Anything redirect is a new web threat which we have received security reports about it. It is being spread using a multitude of delivery mechanisms and once it is installed on a given computer it will execute a lot of malicious actions. It can hijack data, modify system settings and deploy other threats.
Threat Summary
| Name | Search Anything redirect |
| Type | Browser Hijacker |
| Short Description | Search Anything is a web page, caused by a browser hijacker. It is unwanted, because it may lead you to dangerous sites. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser may start to behave in a strange way. You may receive redirects and other types of ads and your PC’s performance may sharply decline. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Search Anything redirect. |
Search Anything Redirect Overview
The Search Anything Redirect is a recently reported malware that is distributed as a browser hijacker and redirect to the intended victims. As such the most common way to get infected with it is by downloading a malware browser plugin for a plugin repository site or download portal. The hackers behind the threat will usually use fake or stolen IDs in order to upload the files. Descriptions that promise new feature additions or performance enhancements along with user reviews can be used to lure in the visitors into installing these extensions. The other popular strategy is to create virus-infected files, when they are opened by the victims the malware will be deployed to the users. This can be a macro-infected document which when opened will ask the victims to enable the built-in code. This will launch a script that will download the redirect code and install it in the users browsers. The other popular type is the creation of a virus-infected application setup files — they are of popular software which is often downloaded by end users. As soon as the installers are launched the virus will be deployed.
There are multiple ways through which these files can be spread to more victims at once — an often used tactic is the coordination of phishing strategies. They depend on social engineering techniques to manipulate the visitors and recipients into opening email messages or clicking on website links and download buttons. They are usually hosted on domain names that sound very similar to the actual companies and services which are impersonated. The virus files can additionally be uploaded to various file-sharing networks like BitTorrent.
As soon as the infection is present on a given computer one of the first actions executed will be to change the default browser options — the default home page, new tabs page and search engine to forward to the hacker-controlled site. This is intentional as the first time the visitors open the portals tracking cookies will be deployed — they will monitor the users interactions and relay them to the hackers. The site is designed to look like a legitimate search engine containing similar design and content layout to popular choices.
Any interaction with these sites can lead to common virus infections — they can be ransomware file encrypting viruses. They will search the file system for certain types of data and encrypt them with a strong cipher. The victims will then be blackmailed to pay a ransomware decryption fee. Whn it comes to local virus infections a popular option is to deliver Trojan horse clients. They will start a local client infection that will connect the infected computer to a hacker-controlled server. It allows the criminals to take over control of the systems, steal files and also spy on the users.
Browsing the Search Anything Redirect redirect can install Cryptocurrency miners which can start from within the site. It will download a sequence of performance-intensive tasks from a remote server. When one of them is reported as completed the hackers will receive cryptocurrency assets as reward which will be wired directly to their digital wallets.
How to REMOVE Search Anything
The removal of Search Anything may be a very tricky process, because of the fact that the unwanted program introducing this scam page may have files spread all of your hard drive. This is the main reason why we strongly advise you to follow the removal steps below. They are made so that if the problem persists after step 1 and 2, you can use a powerful anti-malware software(recommended). Be advised that security professionals often advise victims to remove this adware via an advanced anti-malware program. This will help save you significant time and will make sure that all of the persistent files and objects of Search Anything are fully gone from your PC.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove Search Anything redirect from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Search Anything redirect from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Search Anything redirect from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Search Anything redirect from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Search Anything redirect from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Search Anything redirect from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Search Anything redirect from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Search Anything redirect from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Search Anything redirect
Step 2: Uninstall Search Anything redirect 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 Search Anything redirect 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 Search Anything redirect 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 Search Anything redirect from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Search Anything redirect 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 Search Anything redirect 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 Search Anything redirect files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Search Anything redirect, 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 Search Anything redirect 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 Search Anything redirect 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 Search Anything redirect 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 Search Anything redirect 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 Search Anything redirect will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Search Anything redirect 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.
