Remove SearchZilla Search Redirect

by Martin Beltov | March 19, 2020 | 0 Comments browser hijacker, redirect, removal guide

Threat Summary How to REMOVE SearchZilla Search

What is SearchZilla Search page? Which program causes SearchZilla Search redirects? How to remove the unwanted program, causing SearchZilla Search redirects from your computer?

The SearchZilla Search redirect is a new web threat which we have received security reports about it. It is being spread using a multitude of delivery mechanisms and once it is installed on a given computer it will execute a lot of malicious actions. It can hijack data, modify system settings and deploy other threats.

Threat Summary

Name	SearchZilla Search redirect
Type	Browser Hijacker
Short Description	SearchZilla Search is a web page, caused by a browser hijacker. It is unwanted, because it may lead you to dangerous sites.
Symptoms	Your web browser may start to behave in a strange way. You may receive redirects and other types of ads and your PC’s performance may sharply decline.
Distribution Method	Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it.
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss SearchZilla Search redirect.

SearchZilla Search Redirect Overview

The SearchZilla Search redirect is a malicious version of a browser extension which is distributed by an unknown hacking group. While there may be a legitimate and safe extension many copies of a malicious version are being uploaded on various Internet sources. The threat is classified as a browser hijacker — it will modify the settings of the installed web browsers and also possibly install various malware. The main goal of these type of threats is to manipulate the users into thinking that they have installed a safe plugin into their browsers. According to the information we received at the moment the main infection strategy is to upload the necessary plugins on extension repositories and download sites. This is often done with fake developer credentials, user reviews and an elaborate description promising new feature additions or optimizations.

Other distribution methods can be the sending or linking the SearchZilla Search redirect in phishing and social engineering campaigns. This is usually done via email messages or websites where various companies and services can be impersonated. The files can be linked or directly served to the visitors. Many of these virus sources are hosted on domain names that sound familiar and may even include self-signed certificates which gives a false sense of security. Furthermore the files may be spread on file-sharing networks as well where pirate and legitimate data is freely distributed between Internet users.

When the SearchZilla Search redirect is installed on a given browser its settings will be changed: the default search engine, new tabs page and home page. In many cases what follows afterwards as malware actions will depend on the individual hacker instructions or the local machine conditions.

The most common consequence of having such a threat installed on a computer is the deployment of tracking cookies — they will monitor the users actions and report all of their interactions automatically to the owners of the redirect. The SearchZilla Search redirect will also mimic legitimate search engines and attempt to fool the visitors that they are using a safe page. The links posted on the home page may lead to affiliate (ad-sponsored) or even phishing sites and landing pages.

Interaction with such sites will also have a high risk of installing other malware threats. The most frequent type of virus is the cryptocurrency miner — a small script which can be executed from within the browser session. It will download a sequence of resource-intensive tasks which will be run on the local computers. They will take a heavy toll on the system’s performance: the CPU, memory, hard disk space, graphics card and network speed. For every completed and reported result the hackers will receive cryptocurrency reward directly in their wallets. Alternative infections include ransomware which are file-encrypting viruses. They target user data and certain system files which they will lock and rename with a certain extension. The victims will then be blackmailed and manipulated into paying the hackers a certain sum to access their data. Advanced infections can also lead to Trojan infections — they will connect the compromised machines to a remote server and allow the criminals to take over control of the computers, steal valuable data and take over control at any time.

How to REMOVE SearchZilla Search

The removal of SearchZilla Search may be a very tricky process, because of the fact that the unwanted program introducing this scam page may have files spread all of your hard drive. This is the main reason why we strongly advise you to follow the removal steps below. They are made so that if the problem persists after step 1 and 2, you can use a powerful anti-malware software(recommended). Be advised that security professionals often advise victims to remove this adware via an advanced anti-malware program. This will help save you significant time and will make sure that all of the persistent files and objects of SearchZilla Search are fully gone from your PC.

Martin Beltov

Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.

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Guide 1: How to Remove SearchZilla Search redirect from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of SearchZilla Search redirect on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove SearchZilla Search redirect in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase SearchZilla Search redirect from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall SearchZilla Search redirect from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove SearchZilla Search redirect from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate SearchZilla Search redirect from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable SearchZilla Search redirect 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 SearchZilla Search redirect from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove SearchZilla Search redirect

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 SearchZilla Search redirect 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 SearchZilla Search redirect 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 SearchZilla Search redirect 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 SearchZilla Search redirect 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 SearchZilla Search redirect from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall SearchZilla Search redirect 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 SearchZilla Search redirect:

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 SearchZilla Search redirect. 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 SearchZilla Search redirect. 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 SearchZilla Search redirect 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 SearchZilla Search redirect. 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 SearchZilla Search redirect files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SearchZilla Search redirect, 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 SearchZilla Search redirect:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

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

Remove SearchZilla Search redirect 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 SearchZilla Search redirect 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 SearchZilla Search redirect 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 SearchZilla Search redirect 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 SearchZilla Search redirect 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 SearchZilla Search redirect 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.