This article has been created in order to help you by showing you how to remove Search Manager from your computer and how to protect yourself against future intrusive apps like it as well.
A new unwanted software, named Search Manager has been reported to heavily modify the settings on the web browsers that have been affected by it. The suspicious software may perform series of unwanted activities on your computer once it affects it, beginning with displaying ads, running processes in the background and cramping up the web browser with active extensions which increase it’s active processes and CPU utilization. If you have Search Manager on your computer, recommendations are to focus on removing it completely, preferably by reading the information in this article.
Threat Summary
| Name | Search Manager |
| Type | Potentially Unwanted Program |
| Short Description | Aims to display various different advertisements that lead to suspicious third-party websites. Hijacks your browser and changes it’s search engine and home page. |
| Symptoms | Different ads may be displayed. Changed home page and new tab pages to a web page, supported by Search Manager. |
| Distribution Method | Via bundled installers, fake setups or via other PUP that has already been installed on your PC. |
| Detection Tool |
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Search Manager. |
Search Manager – How Did I Get It
The main method which may be used by Search Manager to slither itself onto your computer is via bundled installers. Such installers may belong to various programs which you search for to download online. Those programs are usually freeware, like your favorite media player, torrent downloading software and other programs as well. Since the Search Manager software aims to be as undetected as possible it may be included in one of the installation steps of the setup wizard “as a free extra” helper that pretends to improve your search results. In reality however, the software may do more harm than good. In addition to this, it’s installer prompt may be concealed within the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation modes in your system setups. Here is one example of how Search Manager may be advertised during the installation process of a downloaded freeware:
Search Manager – More Information
Once Search Manager is installed on your computer, the software immediately add itself as a web browser extension and as a program directly installed on your computer. From there, it may significantly change your web browser’s settings by adding it’s own page as a home page and a new tab page, pretending to improve your online browsing experience. While this may be true to some extent, the Search Manager app may also perform series of unwanted activities, such as abuse the permissions which it asks when it prompts to be added on it’s official web page:
In addition to this, multiple different cookies may be used on you web browser that aim to perform various different activities, such as track your:
- Online search history.
- Online browsing history.
- Online clicks.
Here are some of the cookies which are used on the official site, according to Google Chrome:
In addition to this, the Search Manager app may also collect different types of information from your computer and this does include personal information being collected as well. The company is very specific as to what it may do with the data in the event of a sale, merger or acquisition, in other words it may share it:
The main purpose of Search Manager is not to collect your data, despite it may do it. The software’s creators may aim at displaying various different types of advertisements during your web browsing process. Those ads may come targeting you with content, such as:
- Banners, displaying fake problems with your computer have been detected.
- Browser redirects, that may lead you to third-party websites, like porn sites or other suspicious sites.
- Fake Tech Support websites, that may display various fake error messages which may scam you into calling a fake tech support number.
Malicious redirects which may infect your computer with viruses.
The advertised content displayed on the websites searched by the user may come in various forms, such as:
- Pop-up ads.
- Banners.
- Ad-supported search results.
- Browser redirects.
Since this software may lead to a variety of third-party websites and may collect your important information, like name, address, passwords, etc. experts strongly recommend its removal.
Remove Search Manager from Google Chrome and Your PC
In order to fully remove this unwanted program from your computer system, we advise you to follow the removal instructions down below. They are specifically created in order to help you to delete this virus either manually or automatically. Be advised that if you lack the experience in removing intrusive programs, such as Search Manager manually and if the app keeps reappearing on your web browser after deletion, to follow the automatic removal instructions below. Security experts also strongly advise to use an advanced anti-malware software, which aims to help you by automatically scanning for and removing all unwanted files and objects placed on your computer by Search Manager and protect your PC against future infections as well.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Search Manager from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Search Manager with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Search Manager and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by Search Manager on Your PC.
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 Search Manager there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
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.
Video Removal Guide for Search Manager (Windows).
Get rid of Search Manager from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Search Manager and remove related files and objects
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 Search Manager. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- 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 Search Manager 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:
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 Search Manager files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Search Manager, 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.
Video Removal Guide for Search Manager (Mac)
Remove Search Manager 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.
Erase Search Manager 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.
Uninstall Search Manager 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.
Remove Search Manager 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 Search Manager will be removed.
Eliminate Search Manager 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.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
Search Manager-FAQ
What Is Search Manager?
The Search Manager threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of Search Manager?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like Search Manager?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does Search Manager Work?
Once installed, Search Manager can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
Search Manager can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is Search Manager Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the Search Manager Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Search Manager how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on Search Manager?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Search Manager threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.