A hijacking software associated with the highly suspicious search engine Searchgol(.)com has been reported on user PCs, by researchers. The software is regarded as a Potentially Unwanted Program, and it may collect personal information form the user as well as share it with third-parties via the search engine itself. In addition to this, the software also heavily displays “clickbait” type of advertisements on the user PC making the computer slow and driving traffic via redirects for profit. Users who see their home page changed to Searchgol(.)com are strongly advised to remove this software from their computers, instructions for which you will find if you read this article thoroughly.
Threat Summary
| Name | Searchgol(.)com Redirects |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Short Description | The program modifies various settings on your PC, including the browser homepage and new tab page. You will see advertisements when you browse, generated from it. |
| Symptoms | Sets a custom browser homepage, new tab and search engine. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installers, Bundle Packages |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
Searchgol(.)com Browser Hijacker – How Does It Install
Software such as the Searchgol(.)com PUP usually may install without the user even noticing it. One method for this to happen is via the so-called bundled installers. Such installers belong to programs that are widely downloaded like users’ favorite program for DJ-ing or watching movies, for example. Such programs are usually available for free download at some third-party websites that provide a lot of freeware at one place. To make money some shady third-party sites use an aggressive strategy and add all types of programs including the Searchgol(.)com browser hijacker that may be hidden in the form of a useful browser extension or a program in one of the installation steps of the installers. This is why experts often advise users always to choose the official websites from which to download and install such free programs.
Searchgol(.)com PUP – More Information About It
There is a lot to be written about this unwanted program. For starters, as soon as it is installed on your computer, it may immediately begin modifying your web browsers, no matter if they are Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer. As soon as it does that, your home page or new tab page (or both) begin to look like this:
The search engine Searchgol(.)com is regarded as highly suspicious because for one it does not support HTTPs encrypted connection – a feature that is necessary and typical for search engines. In addition to this, we discovered multiple cookies that track user information and here is where the situation became interesting:
In addition to the cookies used by Searchgol(.)com another symptom of it being primarily oriented to display ads to users, boosting traffic to another page is the displaying of ad-supported search results. The suspicious search engine showed the whole 1st page of search results with ads:
Not only this but funnily enough, the search engine is associated with the notorious Babylon search – a company known to have a vast network of such suspicious search engines used by the unwanted software. Also, when it comes to this very Privacy Policy, the creators of this search engine first claim they do not collect personal information:
However, even more amusingly enough, later on in the privacy policy they state that they may do exactly the opposite to not collecting your details:
Such unwanted programs are known very well by malware researchers, and they are usually spammed a lot to affect as many systems as possible. This is because the creators of programs like the one that may set Searchgol(.)com as your home page use the advertisements on it’s home page to make a profit via pay-per-visit redirects. This particular search engine causes browser redirects via the following affiliate service when you click on one of the “clickbait” banners under the search bar:
Click to enlarge.
Searchgol(.)com Hijacker – Removal Instructions and Conclusion
As a bottom line, this software has no business on your computer, and you should focus on removing it as swiftly as possible.
For maximum effectiveness during removal of the Searchgol(.)com browser hijacker, we advise you to follow the removal instructions which we have prepared for you below. In case you are still experiencing advertisements and the symptoms in the information table below, we advise you to download an advanced anti-malware program which will surely take care of the Searchgol(.)com PUP from your computer and protect yours from future threats.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
Follow Me:
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Searchgol(.)com Redirects from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Searchgol(.)com Redirects with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Searchgol(.)com Redirects and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
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 4: Clean Any registries, Created by Searchgol(.)com Redirects on Your PC.
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 Searchgol(.)com Redirects 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.
Video Removal Guide for Searchgol(.)com Redirects (Windows).
Get rid of Searchgol(.)com Redirects from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Searchgol(.)com Redirects and remove related files and objects
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 Searchgol(.)com Redirects. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- 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 Searchgol(.)com Redirects 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 Searchgol(.)com Redirects files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Searchgol(.)com Redirects, 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.
Video Removal Guide for Searchgol(.)com Redirects (Mac)
Remove Searchgol(.)com Redirects 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.
Erase Searchgol(.)com Redirects 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.
Uninstall Searchgol(.)com Redirects 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.
Remove Searchgol(.)com Redirects 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 Searchgol(.)com Redirects will be removed.
Eliminate Searchgol(.)com Redirects 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.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
Searchgol(.)com Redirects-FAQ
What Is Searchgol(.)com Redirects?
The Searchgol(.)com Redirects threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of Searchgol(.)com Redirects?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like Searchgol(.)com Redirects?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does Searchgol(.)com Redirects Work?
Once installed, Searchgol(.)com Redirects can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
Searchgol(.)com Redirects can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is Searchgol(.)com Redirects Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the Searchgol(.)com Redirects Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Searchgol(.)com Redirects how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on Searchgol(.)com Redirects?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Searchgol(.)com Redirects threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.