A dangerous browser hijacker called Searchererr.website has been found to infect computer users worldwide. The victims report serious security and privacy issues when accessing the malicious service. It is linked with other criminal services that are used to harvest sensitive data from the victims.
Threat Summary
| Name | Searchererr.website |
| 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. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Searchererr.website. |
Searchererr.website – Delivery Methods
The Searchererr.website redirect can infect victim machines using several methods. The hackers behind the malware can use different strategies depending on the target victims and the available resources.
One of the most popular ways of through the use of browser hijackers. They are malicious extensions made for web browsers. The hackers usually attempt to make versions compatible with the most widely used applications: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge. Once installed they perform a series of malware actions depending on their configuration. Examples include the following:
- Default Web Browser Settings Change ‒ The malware changes some of the most important browser settings used by the browsers to redirect to a hacker-provided address. This is used to make the victims use a counterfeit download portal and infect themselves with the redirect or another virus. Target settings include the default home page, search engine and new tabs page.
- Operating System Settings Change ‒ The Searchererr.website browser hijacker is able to change important settings used by the operating system itself. This can lead to performance or stability issues.
- Information Harvesting ‒ The malicious extensions can be used to download private information stored in the applications and relay it to the hackers. This may include any of the following: form data, bookmarks, history, passwords, settings and account credentials.
Another way of obtaining the Searchererr.website infection is by downloading an infected file from a hacker site. They usually come as counterfeit download portals and serve modified versions of popular software. The software installers are usually placed on sites that pose as legitimate sources. Other ways of delivering the Searchererr.website redirect is by distributing scripts using documents of different types ‒ rich text documents, spreadsheets or databases.
Searchererr.website – In-Depth Overview
The Searchererr.website redirect displays a home page that showcases a familiar-looking search engine design. The aim of the criminals is to make the victims use the service. It displays intrusive ads above and below the search engine in an effort to generate additional income. The displayed graphical and text links are run by an ad network or affiliate site which partners with the site owners.
Unlike other similar threats the home page displays no links or copyright. It is likely that the site is auto generated based on a template. A list of domains can be used to register several sites at the same time and apply the design. The victims are the lured through browser hijackers or another means. Its interesting to note that the site does not use cookies to track the users actions. They have probably opted to use network packets as an alternative. This is a less intrusive option where the information about site interactions is sent automatically during the message requests.
When the search engine is used the victims are shown results that do not correctly reflect the query. The hackers generate the bulk of their money by redirecting the victims to partner ad sites. This is the reason why browser hijackers have been found to be an effective distribution tool, they allow many users to instantly switch to the malware domain as their primary search option.
The security analysis shows that the engine is a customized Google search that is designed to reflect the configuration given by the hackers. The home page does not display a terms of use or privacy policy page which does not give an indication of who actually owns the site. The domain is registered by an anonymous party.
Searchererr.website – Privacy Policy
The lack of a privacy policy page showcases that the users have no information on how their data is being processed. This allows the Searchererr.website redirect operators to process the harvested information as they see fit. Examples of malicious usage include the following cases:
- Site Usage Analysis ‒ The criminals behind the site have the ability to track the users interaction with the site by including scripts on every page.
- User Information Harvesting ‒ Every user is assigned a unique ID associated with their computer and habits. If the site is truly part of large network then the data is crosslinked and an overall report is immediately available to the operators.
- Data Trade ‒ The collected data can be sold to marketing agencies or other hackers for a profit. Sites like the Searchererr.website redirect are a popular source of valuable information about users, their interest and habits.
Remember that using such sites threaten your security. Follow our Searchererr.website redirect removal instructions below to restore your web browser and recover your computers from the infection.
Remove Searchererr.website Effectively
To remove Searchererr.website 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.
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.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove Searchererr.website from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Searchererr.website from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Searchererr.website from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Searchererr.website from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Searchererr.website from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Searchererr.website from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Searchererr.website from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Searchererr.website from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Searchererr.website
Step 2: Uninstall Searchererr.website 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Searchererr.website 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 Searchererr.website 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.
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of Searchererr.website from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Searchererr.website and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- 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 Searchererr.website 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 Searchererr.website files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Searchererr.website, 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Searchererr.website 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 Searchererr.website 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 Searchererr.website 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 Searchererr.website 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 Searchererr.website will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Searchererr.website 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.
