Remove Searchme(.)com Browser Hijacker Completely

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.

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Searchme(.)com is the search engine of a browser hijacker. The hijacker redirects you to a Yahoo’s search results page or that of another famous search engine. Searchme(.)com can modify the homepage, new tab and the search engine of all browser you have. A browser extension could be installed, as well. To remove the hijacker and all of its files, you should read the article through.

Threat Summary

Name	Searchme(.)com
Type	Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description	Every browser on your computer might be affected. The hijacker could redirect you and filter your searches.
Symptoms	Browser settings which can be modified are the homepage, search engine and new tab. An extension could be added as well. You might see sponsored content and advertisements.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by Searchme(.)com Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Searchme(.)com.

Searchme(.)com – Distribution Ways

Searchme(.)com has a few distribution ways. Third-party installers are the main way for the unwanted program to install to your computer. Bundle software and freeware programs can inject the hijacker in your computer. The freeware setups might have extra components set for installation, by default. Various settings can be changed on your computer and browser before you realize. Avoiding such installations can be done if you find Custom or Advanced menu with settings to deselect components in the installation setup.

Searchme(.)com could use other ways to make its search engine to appear in your browsers. One of these ways is through the site shown in the picture above – searchassistant(.)co. Another is via adverts, like banners or pop-ups. The hijacker could be distributed with redirects hosted on suspicious websites. Such websites could be in an affiliate program with Searchme(.)com. The following browsers could be affected: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.

Searchme(.)com – A Closer Inspection

Searchme(.)com is the search engine and the main page for a browser hijacker. You can take a closer look on how the web page looks like in the screenshot below:

The Searchme(.)com domain is composed of a simple picture with a logo and a search bar. That is what the extension and all related programs put as your default go-to page replacing the search engine, new tab, and home page of your browsers. Your browser preferences could be changed, as well. The extension could be found on the searchassistant(.)co page for direct installation or from the Chrome Web Store. It performs the following:

• Read and change all your data on the websites you visit
• Change your search settings to: searchme(.)com
• Manage your apps, extensions, and themes

If any programs related to Searchme(.)com are inside your computer or browser apps, then you will see noticeable changes to your browser settings. Such programs often get on your computer via bundled software. Extensions, add-ons or plug-ins including additive components, could generate advertisements and redirects when you are browsing. You could end up on sites with third party content. The developers of such sites might be tied to Searchme(.)com.

You can see above, in the image, how the search results of Searchme(.)com look. Looking closely, you will notice that you get redirected to the search results page of Yahoo. The redirect results could land you on other reputable search engines. Browser hijackers use this as a trick for getting you to trust them when you use their search.

All of the information which is gathered goes through the servers of Searchme(.)com. Not to mention that cookies and a related program could send more data to the developers of the hijacker. Be careful with whatever information you give and whatever you write in search bars, especially if it is personal. Continue reading, to see what data exactly can be obtained from you by Searchme(.)com.

Searchme(.)com – Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy of the Searchme(.)com is present on the site and has details about information collection, what collected, how and to whom that may be disclosed. From the policy, it becomes known that both personally and non-personally identifying information is acquired. All information which is collected could be shared with third-parties and partners of the browser hijacker.

You can view the Privacy Policy down here:

According to the policy, data collected from the use of the site and services is:

• Date and time of Your visit to the Site
• Date and time of Your search
• Originating IP address
• Media access control (“MAC”) address and operating system data
• Search term(s)

Cookies placed by the hijacker and third-party affiliates can collect the following data:

• Your IP address
• Browser user agent (detects type of device and software and hardware specifications)

The following quote is very interesting, especially if it’s true:

Search results pages you visit when performing a search using our Site or Services are provided by Our search engine partners (e.g.,Yahoo, Baidu, Yandex, eBay, Amazon, Namespace, etc.). These search engines can and might track a variety of data.

According to the Policy, the following data can be collected by the above-mentioned partners:

• Search term that was entered into the search box
• Originating IP address and the user’s country or OS language setting
• Sponsored listings or other advertisements that you click on
• That the search request came from the relevant Site and its associated revenue tag
• MAC address and operating system data

Using any software or services related to Searchme(.)com you automatically grant your consent for the collection of your data. In the policy, it is openly stated that cookies also play a big role in the accumulation of most of the information.

Remove Searchme(.)com Completely from Your PC

To remove Searchme(.)com manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided 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 software can keep your computer safe in the future.

Note! Your computer system may be affected by Searchme(.)com or other threats.
Scan Your PC with SpyHunter
SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as Searchme(.)com.
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.

To remove Searchme(.)com follow these steps:

1. Uninstall malicious programs from Windows

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

How to Uninstall malicious programs 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:

Hold the Windows Logo Button and “R” on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear (fig.1).

In the field type in “appwiz.cpl” and press ENTER (fig.2).

This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC.
Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall” (fig.3).

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

2. Clean your Browser and Registry from Searchme(.)com

Remove Searchme(.)com by cleaning your Browser and Registry.

Remove an extension from Mozilla FirefoxRemove an extension from Google Chrome Remove an extension from Internet Explorer Remove an extension from Microsoft Edge Fix registry entries created by Searchme(.)com on your PC.

Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu.

Select the unwanted extension and click “Remove“

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.

Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

Move the cursor over “Tools” and then from the extended menu choose “Extensions“

From the opened “Extensions” menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its “Remove” button.

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.

Start Internet Explorer:

Click on the gear icon labeled ‘Tools’ to open the drop menu and select ‘Manage Add-ons’

In the ‘Manage Add-ons’ window.

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’.

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.

Start Edge

Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.

From the drop menu select “Extensions”.

Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.

Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.

Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting the Automatic Removal below, 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.

Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs

3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

Scan your PC and Remove Searchme(.)com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data

1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Searchme(.)com and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove Searchme(.)com. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.

Step 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.

Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.

Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.

Step 2: 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.

Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future

IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup .

SOS Online Backup

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.

More Posts

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.

More Posts