Yet another browser hijacker from the vas websearch family of browser hijackers has appeared, this time setting websearch.the-searcheng.info as the user’s home page and displaying interruptive advertisements misleading users to suspicious third-party websites. The questionable application which is categorized as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) by security experts is reported to collect user information and possibly share it with third-parties, according to its shady privacy policy and similar to other websearch hijackers.
Name | Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker |
Type | Browser Hijacker |
Short Description | The page may look like a regular search engine with links to well-known pages. |
Symptoms | The user may have the website set as his homepage without his approval. |
Distribution Method | Bundling. |
Detection Tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware |
User Experience | Join our forum to discuss about Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info. |
Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info – How Did I Get It?
One way to become affected by this hijacker or one of its many variants is to click on a misleading advertisement that may add it as an extension to your web browser. Another and more likely possibility is bundling, since it is a widely used web strategy that is used by third-party software providing websites.
Most users who download freeware online do not realize that some software hosting websites have bundled applications such as Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info browser hijacker that are advertised as free extras to assist users with their online browsing experience. This plus given the fact that most inexperienced fast clickers tend to rush their way through the installation process and skip opting out such ‘extras’ makes bundling an effective strategy to slither into inexperienced users’ computers – the perfect segment of potential clickers to its adverts.
Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Description
Once it has been installed onto your computer, the program may set Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info as your home or new tab page of the browser you are using. The home page itself has several different types of cookies installed in the user’s PC.
It also features a privacy policy where the developers state that they may collect certain user information and may provide it with third-parties, something that may be very dangerous, depending on the third-party that the information is shared to.
What is more, the search engine has extremely annoying and deceiving advertisements such as an animated banner copying the pop-up that is being displayed when someone calls you on Skype, leading to dating sites or fake Windows error messages. The fake Windows pop-ups lead to the same place in most Websearch search engines – a rogue antivirus program, called Reimage PC repair.
What is more, the search engine does not have https encryption on its connection to the user, which increases the risk of its usage, since it is a search engine and features many third-party links. These very third-parties may either be scamming sites that scam users out of their money, legitimate websites looking to boost their traffic using its services or even malicious URL aiming to infect the user PC with malware.
What is more, Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info is part of a large network of sister websites that are most likely from the same developer, because they look very similar plus have the same privacy policy:
- Websearch.searchouse.info
- Websearch.coolsearches.info
- Websearch.searchtheglobe.info
- Websearch-resulthunters.info
- Websearch.searchisfun.info
Security researchers strongly advise against keeping such search engines on your browser since they may lead to sinister online places.
Removing Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info
In order to get rid successfully of websearch.thesearcheng.info hijacker you should follow carefully the instructions below. What is highly recommended is that after manual removal you scan your computer more than once with an advanced anti-malware tool in order to identify whether or not your PC has been exposed to malware and remove any left over objects by websearch.the-searcheng.info from your computer.
Step 1: Remove/Uninstall Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker in Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps to remove that program. No matter if you are using Windows 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 get left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, mistakes 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:
Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall” (fig.3).
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker.
Step 2: Remove Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker from your browser
Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu
Select Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker and click “Remove”
After Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Select Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker to remove, and then click ‘Disable’. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected toolbar, and some additional toolbars might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click ‘Disable’.
After Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ in the top right corner and start it again.
Open the drop menu by clicking on the sprocket icon in the top right corner.
From the drop menu select ‘Preferences’
In the new window select ‘Extensions’
Click once on Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker
Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker will be removed.
Step 3: Remove Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.
- Guide 1: How to Remove Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker





Step 2: Uninstall Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker 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:



Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker 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 Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:



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 Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker 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 Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker 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 Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker, 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 Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker 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 Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker 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 Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker 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 Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker 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 Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Websearch(.)the-searcheng(.)info Hijacker 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.