This article explains the issues caused by Searchgeniusapp.com and provides a complete removal guide on how to remove the annoying browser hijacker.
When Searchgeniusapp.com hijacker loads whenever you open your preferred web browser, your computer system may be affected by a potentially undesired program. Once such a program finds a way to run its configuration files on your system it accesses main browser settings and configures the hijacker to appear as homepage, new tab page, and default search engine. Keep reading and find out how to get rid of Searchgeniusapp.com hijacker and how to secure affected PC.
Threat Summary
| Name | Searchgeniusapp.com |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, PUP |
| Short Description | Domain that hosts questionable search enigne. Its configuration files hijack main browser settings without your permission and you start see the main page of this search engine each time you open an affected browser. |
| Symptoms | Affected web browsers have their settings modified by the hijacker. Their homepages, new tab pages and default search enigne in preferred web browser are set to dislay the main page of Searchgeniusapp.com hijacker. Browser slowdowns occur due to increased number of online ads. |
| 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 Searchgeniusapp.com. |
Searchgeniusapp.com Hijacker – Spreading Techniques and Impact
The website Searchgeniusapp.com provides search services by mimicking Yahoo search. It is owned by the company Search Dimension Inc. that acknowledges the collection of both personal and non-personal data through its search applications. Once started on a computer system their search engine activates various tracking technologies to collect information from your device and about your activities. According to Searchgeniusapp.com’s Privacy Policy section once running in the browser, it starts obtaining the following details:
- Browsing history
- Internet protocol (IP) address
- Search queries
- Search results clicked
- Type of used browser
- Your name, address, email address and telephone number
- Browser type and language
- Operating system type
- Software installed upon and/or devices connected to your computer and/or device
Among the issues that may be noticed in case of infection with Searchgeniusapp.com browser hijacker are modifications of main browser preferences. Such type of programs tends to alter browser homepage, start page, new tab page and/or default search engine. One of the reasons why the program associated with this search engine is categorized as a potentially unwanted is its odd behavior. In fact, it applies all changes without asking for permission.
Here is a screenshot of an affected Mozilla Firefox browser:
There is an additional impact which the program may cause. Oftentimes, undesired apps deliver lots of annoying ads in an attempt to generate revenue to their owners. This practice is called pay-per-click as every click on ad pushed by Searchgeniusapp.com or the associated program makes a small profit. That’s why the program and the hijacker are likely to deliver as many ads as possible both in the affected browser and directly on the desktop.
The ads may appear in different formats including pop-ups, pop-unders, banners, images, new tabs, browser redirects, in-text images, etc. Furthermore, Searchgeniusapp.com hijacker may display ads in its search results. Unfortunately, some of the ads may be configured to land on corrupted web pages that are misused for the spreading of malicious code. Beware and better refrain from clicking on them.
As regards the spreading of browser hijackers and undesired programs, it usually happens via software bundles, corrupted web pages, fake software update notifications, and other.
If you want to clean your computer and prevent Searchgeniusapp.com from causing all mentioned issues you need to ensure that no associated undesired files are running on your system. To remove files associated with this hoax search engine follow the steps presented in the guide below.
How to Remove Searchgeniusapp.com Browser Hijacker
In order to remove Searchgeniusapp.com hijacker along with all associated files that enable its appearance in the browser, you should complete several removal steps. The guide below presents all removal steps in their precise order. You could choose between manual and automatic removal approach. In order to be sure that no undesired and potentially harmful files are running on your system, we recommend that you combine the steps. Have in mind that some files associated with Searchgeniusapp.com hijacker may be named in a different way.
In case you have further questions or need additional help with the removal process, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact us at our email.
Gergana Ivanova
Gergana has a bachelor's degree in Marketing. She has been with the STF team for five years, researching malware, reporting on the latest computer infections, and following digital marketing trends.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove Searchgeniusapp.com from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Searchgeniusapp.com from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Searchgeniusapp.com from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Searchgeniusapp.com from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Searchgeniusapp.com from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Searchgeniusapp.com from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Searchgeniusapp.com from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Searchgeniusapp.com from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Searchgeniusapp.com
Step 2: Uninstall Searchgeniusapp.com 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 Searchgeniusapp.com 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 Searchgeniusapp.com 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 Searchgeniusapp.com from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Searchgeniusapp.com 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 Searchgeniusapp.com 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 malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner 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 Searchgeniusapp.com 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 Searchgeniusapp.com 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 Searchgeniusapp.com 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 Searchgeniusapp.com 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 Searchgeniusapp.com will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Searchgeniusapp.com 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.
