Remove SearchThatUp(.)com Browser Hijacker Efficiently

by Berta Bilbao | August 17, 2016 | 0 Comments ad-supported application, browser extension, browser hijacker, redirects

Threat Summary SearchThatUp(.)com – Distribution Ways SearchThatUp(.)com – A Closer Look SearchThatUp(.)com – Privacy Policy Remove SearchThatUp(.)com Effectively from Your PC

SearchThatUp(.)com is the main page and search engine of a browser hijacker software. The ClientConnect Ltd. has developed that software, which is the company that made Trovi Search and some other browser hijackers. This hijacker can show you targeted third-party content and advertisements as you browse the internet. SearchThatUp(.)com will replace your current homepage, the new tab setting and the default search engine of your browsers.

To remove the hijacker and all its files, you should read the whole article carefully.

Threat Summary

Name	SearchThatUp(.)com
Type	Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description	Every browser on your computer could be affected. The hijacker might redirect you and will filter all of your searches.
Symptoms	Browser settings which can be altered are the homepage, search engine and new tab. You could see sponsored third-party 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 SearchThatUp(.)com.

SearchThatUp(.)com – Distribution Ways

SearchThatUp(.)com has a few ways distribution. Third-party installations seem to be the main way for its distribution. Freeware and bundle software setups might have installed the hijacker onto your PC. Those setups could have additional components set for installation, by default. Before you realize, the hijacker might have changed lots of settings on your browsers. Preventing such unwanted programs with browser hijacking capabilities from installing is doable if you find Custom or Advanced options, from where to deselect components.

SearchThatUp(.)com might be distributed in other ways. One of them is through advertisements, like banners and pop-ups displaying on dubious websites. The hijacker could also distribute with the aid of redirecting links hosted on these sites. The owners of the websites may be in an affiliate program or partnered up with SearchThatUp(.)com. The following browsers could be affected: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.

SearchThatUp(.)com – A Closer Look

SearchThatUp(.)com is the search engine and main domain of the browser hijacker that has the same name. ClientConnect Ltd. is its developer of this and many other similar Trovi Search hijackers. You can take a closer look at how the web page looks like from the screenshot below:

The SearchThatUp(.)com web page is composed of a search bar, and a couple of links to its Privacy Policy, End User License Agreement (EULA) and the like. That exact web page will appear every time you launch your browsers on their homepage when you open a new tab or try to search for something. Except your default search settings, other ones might be changed as well.

If any software tied to SearchThatUp(.)com is inside your computer machine or browser applications, you will see that all of the above mentioned changes to settings will be present across your browsers. Software related to the website services can enter through programs, which are bundled. Extensions and additive apps, plus with software with hijacking capabilities can spread advertisements and redirects to sites you browse. You could end up on websites with targeted content, hosted by third parties. The third parties could be affiliates of SearchThatUp(.)com.

From the above picture, it becomes clear that SearchThatUp(.)com is a fake search engine that redirects to other legitimate search engines. In this case is that of Bing. There might even be advertisements displayed in some results and in-text links that can redirect you. Do not be fooled, as the hijacker only links to the search results page of a reputable search engine to gain your trust.

Every bit of information you enter into any search bar of SearchThatUp(.)com will go through its servers, collect and store it. Cookies and other such related technologies can obtain more information, too. Be wary with what kind of information you input in your searches, especially if it is personal. Read the article to the end, to find out how much information is acquired by SearchThatUp(.)com and what is done with it.

SearchThatUp(.)com – Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy of the SearchThatUp(.)com website is found on that same domain and is very descriptive. At the end, it is stated that the hijacker belongs to the company ClientConnect Ltd. which has developed Trovi Search hijackers in the past. From reading the policy, it becomes clear that personally and non-personally identifying information is acquired. All information that is obtained may be disclosed and sold to third-parties, such as partners or affiliates of the company.

You can see the Privacy Policy from the image here:

The policy breaks the data collection into certain types of information:

Technical Information

Your browser type
Type, name and version of Operating System
Type, name and version of other software
Your ISP (Internet Service Provider)
Your physical location
Your Internet protocol (IP) address
Anonymous user identifiers
Device configuration and identifiers
The version, configuration and settings of their Software

Usage Information

Your use and interaction with your device
When and how you use their software
How you use your internet browser and internet search related applications
The web pages you visit and the content you see
Your interactions with offerings and advertisements that you view
Your search queries
The time and date of your searches

Social Networks Information

Your interactions on social networks via their software
Friends or contact lists
Notes
Updates
Photos

Registration Related Information

Information you provide when you register for their software
Your name
Home or work addresses
Your E-mail address
Telephone and fax numbers
Your birth date
Your gender

Support Related Information

Your email address
Your name
Any information voluntarily submitted by you

Information that may be collected by the site “unintentionally”

Social security numbers
Credit card numbers
Login information

You should also read the following quote from the Policy, about third-party content:

Certain Software & Services may include and/or enable you to add Content to them. The Content may be in the form of apps, buttons, gadgets, links to third party advertisements, websites, products and services (including search services) as well as additional means that are provided to you by third parties

Using any services or software associated with SearchThatUp(.)com is automatically considered that you grant your permission for the collection of your information. In the policy is also written that cookies are used for data gathering as well as similar technologies.

Remove SearchThatUp(.)com Effectively from Your PC

To remove SearchThatUp(.)com manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided down here. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the hijacker and all its files completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software 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 SearchThatUp(.)com from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of SearchThatUp(.)com on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove SearchThatUp(.)com in Google Chrome.

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

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove SearchThatUp(.)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 SearchThatUp(.)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 SearchThatUp(.)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 SearchThatUp(.)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 SearchThatUp(.)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 SearchThatUp(.)com from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall SearchThatUp(.)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 SearchThatUp(.)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 SearchThatUp(.)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 SearchThatUp(.)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 SearchThatUp(.)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 SearchThatUp(.)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 SearchThatUp(.)com files from your Mac

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

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

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

Remove SearchThatUp(.)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 SearchThatUp(.)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 SearchThatUp(.)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 SearchThatUp(.)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 SearchThatUp(.)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 SearchThatUp(.)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.