Remove Searchme(.)com Browser Hijacker Completely

by Berta Bilbao | August 4, 2016 | 0 Comments ad-supported application, browser extension, browser hijacker, redirects

Threat Summary Searchme(.)com – Distribution Ways Searchme(.)com – A Closer Inspection Searchme(.)com – Privacy Policy Remove Searchme(.)com Completely from Your PC

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 malware 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.

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 Searchme(.)com from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of Searchme(.)com on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove Searchme(.)com in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase Searchme(.)com from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall Searchme(.)com from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove Searchme(.)com from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate Searchme(.)com from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable Searchme(.)com 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 Searchme(.)com from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Searchme(.)com

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 Searchme(.)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:

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 Searchme(.)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 Searchme(.)com 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 Searchme(.)com 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 Searchme(.)com from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Searchme(.)com 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 Searchme(.)com:

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 Searchme(.)com. 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 Searchme(.)com. 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 Searchme(.)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:

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 Searchme(.)com. 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 Searchme(.)com files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Searchme(.)com, 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 Searchme(.)com:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

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

Remove Searchme(.)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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase Searchme(.)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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall Searchme(.)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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Searchme(.)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 Searchme(.)com 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 Searchme(.)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.