by Berta Bilbao | November 11, 2016 | 0 Comments ad-supported application, browser hijacker, redirects

Search.clearch.org is a redirect and a search engine for a browser hijacker. The hijacker is powered by the Net Spark Safe Internet Solutions. Sponsored advertisements and similar content will display whenever you use the Search.clearch.org site. This hijacker can replace the homepage, new tab, and search engine of your browsers. To remove the hijacker, you should read the article through.

Threat Summary

Name	Search.clearch.org
Type	Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description	Each browser application on your computer could get affected. The hijacker will redirect you and display different advertisements.
Symptoms	Browser settings which could be modified are the homepage, the search engine and the new tab.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installations, Bundle Packages
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Search.clearch.org.

Search.clearch.org – Delivery Ways

Search.clearch.org could be delivered in various ways, one of which is by third-party installations. Such installer setups are within bundled programs or freeware. The setups might have been configured to install extra components by default on your personal computer. That happens without notification in most cases. You could have tried installing a media player or other free software and got your browser settings modified by this hijacker. You can avoid unwanted components like those from getting added. All you need to do is find Custom or Advanced options and deselect them.

Search.clearch.org could be delivered in more ways, too. Those ways usually involve a browser extension or an add-on which installs in your browsing software. Other delivery ways use advertisements, such as pop-ups, pop-unders, banners and even redirect links. Sponsored advertisements or targeted content on suspicious websites could also result in the delivery of this hijacker. The websites could also be partnered or somehow affiliated with Search.clearch.org. The following browsers can be affected: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.

Search.clearch.org – More Information

Search.clearch.org is a domain address and a search engine for the browser hijacker of the same name. The redirect is powered by the company known as NetSpark. The main page and the search bar are both very simply. There are various links scattered across the page. You can see the page from the below picture:

Search.clearch.org can display advertisements. The hijacker will redirect you to search page on the same domain. All the search queries you make will go through the main URL address. The Web page you see above can replace the homepage, new tab and the default search for every browser you own. An add-on which is tied to the program could be found across the Internet, serving the same purpose as the redirect. Undeniably, it will also have all browser hijacking capabilities of its counterpart.

The image shown underneath this paragraph portrays an example of a search that went through the Search.clearch.org search bar. You can clearly see how this hijacker is designed to display targeted advertising including sponsored content on those pages which can redirect you further. The main page might have an advertisement banner which will redirect you. This hijacker filters each search query that you make, and all this data will be sent to servers related to the hijacker’s owners. That includes all kinds of information, along with one about your interactions with the site and its ads.

The website, its redirects, and advertisements load tracking cookies. More tracking technologies could be set up and used, as well. Be careful with the information you might provide by doing searches on the Web, especially on pages connected to Search.clearch.org. Refrain from clicking on dubious links and advertisements, because they could easily gather data about you, and use it to display targeted content.

Search.clearch.org – Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy of the Search.clearch.org site is rather short but gives detailed information. You can see what kinds of information may be acquired from you and other specific statements from the NetSpark company.

On the snapshot, you can see the Privacy Policy:

The following information will be collected:

Browser version you are using
Your IP address
How you used the services, including your search queries
The number and frequency of visitors
Other similar data
Your name
Your Contact information

The developers of the Search.clearch.org program, also give the following statement about information sharing:

Use of this site implies consent to our sharing of Personal Information

Also, all types of information, including personally identifiable one, will be disclosed to third parties, specifically business affiliates of the NetSpark company. Be very careful with what exactly you type in search bars associated with the browser hijacker redirect in question.

Remove Search.clearch.org Fully

To remove Search.clearch.org manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions written below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the hijacker and all of its files completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such a program can keep your computer secure 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 Search.clearch.org from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of Search.clearch.org on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove Search.clearch.org in Google Chrome.

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

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Search.clearch.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 Search.clearch.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 Search.clearch.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 Search.clearch.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 Search.clearch.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 Search.clearch.org from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Search.clearch.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 Search.clearch.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 Search.clearch.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 Search.clearch.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 Search.clearch.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 Search.clearch.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 Search.clearch.org files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Search.clearch.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 Search.clearch.org:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

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

Remove Search.clearch.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 Search.clearch.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 Search.clearch.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 Search.clearch.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 Search.clearch.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 Search.clearch.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.