The CharmSearching search hijacker is an illustration of a standard unwanted program; such programs are spread enormously these days. In this article you will see the complete guidelines of “CharmSearching” hijacker removal in several tactics: making use of anti-malware tools and hand-operated removal process.
CharmSearching – What is it?
“CharmSearching” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)1, that is spread as a plugin for your web browser. It is usually advertised as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to browse some precise info, for instance, about sporting activity events, make your web browser far more safe, allow downloading of any type of video clip, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).
However, the “CharmSearching” plugin is rather pointless due to the fact that all such functions are currently built-in to your web browser and/or Windows. Such marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. However sometimes even expert users are getting caught on such an attraction. In particular instances, this hijacker is spread together with free programs.
Here is a summary for the CharmSearching hijacker
NAME | CharmSearching |
Site | Charmsearching.com |
Hosting | AS16509 Amazon.com, Inc. Netherlands, Amsterdam |
Infection Type | Browser Hijacker, Unwanted Application |
IP Address | 52.222.139.26 |
Symptoms | Changed search engine; search queries redirection |
Similar behavior | Template, Get, Streaming |
Fix Tool | To remove possible virus infections, try to scan your PC |
How harmful is CharmSearching hijacker?
Besides its uselessness, CharmSearching hijacker is likewise quite hazardous for browser utilization. It modifies your search engine to its particular – Charmsearching.com, and additionally alters your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, occasionally, changing it to default with the mentioned symbol).
Besides aesthetic changes done by CharmSearching hijacker, you might see that several of your search queries are redirecting to the unknown websites, full of web links and promotions – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can contain web links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting surges if you try to start Google search page by force.
However all these actions are more bothersome than truly damaging. The largest threat, primarily for individuals who have a great deal of confidential information in their browsers, is installed in data collecting capabilities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited websites, as well as other activities are easily gathered by CharmSearching hijacker.
How to remove CharmSearching search hijacker?
- Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
- Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
- “Move to quarantine” all items.
- Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
- Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
- Restart your computer.
Browser hijackers are usually very easy to deal with. Most of the times, they have an independent app that can be spotted in the list of installed apps. Because of the particular marketing tactic of CharmSearching hijacker, it can be simply tracked and removed manually. Nonetheless, if you got CharmSearching in the package with a free applications, your PC can be contaminated with a lot more serious malware – trojans, spyware or perhaps ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you utilize anti-malware tools to delete the CharmSearching PUA and all various other malware.
You can make use of Microsoft Defender2 – it is capable of finding and clearing away different malware, including named hijacker. However, major malware, that might exist on your personal computer in the mentioned situation, can disable the Windows antivirus program by editing the Group Policies. To stay clear of such circumstances, it is far better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
To detect and erase all unwanted programs on your PC with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to utilize Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the viruses, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and folders.
You can observe the detected malware sorted by their possible harm simultaneously with the scan process. But to choose any actions against malicious apps, you need to hold on until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.
To set the action for every detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious app. By default, all malware will be moved to quarantine.
Reverting browser settings to original ones
To revert your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action cannot be counteracted by any malware, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.
After pressing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be displayed, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.
Deleteing CharmSearching hijacker manually
Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.
To reset Edge, do the following steps :
- Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
- After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :
For Mozilla Firefox, do the next actions :
- Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
- In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :
After choosing this option, you will see the next message :
If you use Google Chrome
- Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
- In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
- Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
Opera can be reset in the next way
- Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
- After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :
As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.
I need your help to share this guide.
Browser hijackers are among the largest and also disruptive kinds of malware. I published this article to help you, so I wish you will help me to make the computer world completely clean of malware. Please, share this article in the social networks you use – Twitter, Reddit, Facebook – wherever.
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Wilbur WoodhamHow to Remove CharmSearching?
Name: CharmSearching
Description: CharmSearching - a lot of users became a victim of browser hijacker. I have a lot of friends who literally bombed me with the questions like “how to remove CharmSearching?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with CharmSearching (Charmsearching.com), which may corrupt your browser’s correct performance, and create a lot of troubles while you are working.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Browser Hijacker
User Review
( votes)References
- More information about PUAs
- Detailed review of Microsoft Defender