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Remove Softsearches.com Redirect

by   |  July 10, 2017  |  0 Comments   , ,

This article will aid you remove Softsearches.com effectively. Follow the browser hijacker removal instructions at the bottom of the article.

Softsearches.com is the main domain for a search engine. That search engine is named Softsearches as well, but also serves as the search engine for an adware called DailyWiki. You could get redirected to pages with loads of advertisements and sponsored content that go through the redirect or if you have the adware on your computer device. The Softsearches browser hijacker will switch the main page, new tab, and search engine for every browser program you have installed on your computer system, while the adware will load your browser pages and search results with advertisements.

Threat Summary

Name Softsearches.com
Type Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description Every browser application which is on your computer will get affected. The hijacker can redirect you and show you lots of advertisements.
Symptoms Browser settings that get changed are the start page, search engine and the new tab page and various advertisements could show up.
Distribution Method Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages
Detection Tool See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware

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Malware Removal Tool
User Experience Join Our Forum to Discuss Softsearches.com.

Softsearches.com – Distribution Methods

Softsearches.com could be distributed with various methods, the most effective of which is via third-party installation setups. Such installers usually come from bundled applications and freeware that is packed with additional features, set to be installed with some other software. The unpacking of anything additive could occur without any prior notification. You could have installed a media player or some other free program and got your browser settings altered from this hijacker. To prevent unwanted programs from affecting your computer device is doable if you find Custom or Advanced settings. There you should have an option to deselect any additional features and software from being added.

Softsearches.com could be distributed with other methods, like add-ons or extensions added to your browser. Other delivery methods may include the adware DailyWiki or advertisements, such as banners, pop-ups, pop-unders and redirect links. Sponsored adverts, including targeted content on suspicious websites could also deliver the hijacker. These websites could also be partnered up or affiliated with the Softsearches.com services and website. Browsers which could get affected are Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari.

Softsearches.com – Technical Overview

The Softsearches.com URL address is the primary one for the browser hijacker that is named Softsearches and the adware DailyWiki. You will be redirected when you are using those services, if you click on links provided by them, and from advertisements and pages hosted by that search engine. The main page can be seen from the screenshot right down below:

The Softsearches.com browser hijacker can redirect you if you are using its services and interact with whatever links, advertisements and other forms of sponsored content pushed from its search pages. In case you are indeed using that search engine to browse the Internet, you will get redirected to its search results page.

Take note of the fact that every search query that you make on its pages will be sending information to servers related to the Softsearches hijacker and the DailyWiki adware. The pages displayed in the above and bottom image replace the homepage, new tab and default search engine for every browser that you own.

The screenshot that is shown under this paragraph depicts what is one of the results when you try to make a search query through the Softsearches.com search bar if you are unaffected by the hijacker or you have just opened a new tab. It could redirect you to another search page which is related to the hijacker. Every search in the search will be filtered and sent to servers related with the makers of the malware. Thus, everything that you give out as information will be obtained data by the browser hijacker in question.

In case another search engine loads rather than the one of the hijacker, the website could push even more advertisements and redirects that can place browser cookies on your computer machine, and they can track your online activity. Tracking technologies of another sort could also be actively operating. Be careful of what information you provide on such search pages, especially on ones, associated with Softsearches.com. Do not click on suspicious advertisements, neither on any links that are displayed by this service.

Softsearches.com – Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy of the Softsearches.com site is located on the footer of its main Web page. Despite the Policy being quite short in length, it provides enough contexts about the data collection done by this browser hijacker. Below, you can see exactly what information can be collected from you when you are using any of the Softsearches or DailyWiki services.

You can preview the Privacy Policy here:

The following information can be acquired from you, according to that Policy:

  • Your IP address
  • Internet Service Provider
  • Visited Web pages
  • Browser preferences
  • Site usage
  • Demographic information
  • Type of browser
  • Cookies and related data
  • Information you provide

Browser cookies are also dropped by the website and services of Softsearches.com and will collect more information related to your internet activity. Softsearches.com service collects your IP addresses and could identify you in other ways.

In conclusion, you should be wary of what information you provide to search engines and websites, and also, in the case you do not like personal information to be acquired from you by this browser hijacker, you should remove it.

Remove Softsearches.com Effectively

To remove Softsearches.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 redirect and its files completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such a program can keep your computer safe in the future.

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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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Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer

How to Remove Softsearches.com from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Softsearches.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 Softsearches.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 Softsearches.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 Softsearches.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 Softsearches.com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

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.

SpyHunter5-update-2018

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

SpyHunter5-Free-Scan-2018

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.

SpyHunter-5-Free-Scan-Next-2018

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

Get rid of Softsearches.com from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Softsearches.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 Softsearches.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 Softsearches.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 Softsearches.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 Softsearches.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 Softsearches.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 Softsearches.com files from your Mac

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


Download

SpyHunter for Mac


Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer

Remove Softsearches.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

Erase Softsearches.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

Uninstall Softsearches.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

Remove Softsearches.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".

stf-safari preferences

Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.

stf-safari-extensions

Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.

Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.

stf-safari uninstall

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Softsearches.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

Eliminate Softsearches.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.

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