Custom Search Google (search1.me) Removal Instructions

The Custom Search Google search hijacker is an example of a common unwanted program; such applications are spread massively nowadays. In this article you will see the comprehensive instructions of “Custom Search Google” hijacker elimination in various methods: making use of anti-malware tools and also manual removal procedure.

It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!

Removing Custom Search Google manually may take hours and may damage your PC in the process. I recommend you to download GridinSoft Anti-Malware for threats removal. Allows to complete scan and cure your PC during the trial period.

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Custom Search Google – What is it?

“Custom Search Google” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is spread as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically advertised as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to browse some precise info, for example, about sporting activity events, make your web browser much more safe, allow downloading of any web video, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

However, the “Custom Search Google” plugin is pretty useless since all such features are currently embedded to your web browser and/or system. Such marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. But often even skilled users are getting caught on such an appeal. In certain cases, this hijacker is distributed together with free tools.

Custom Search Google Search Hijacker

Here is a summary for the Custom Search Google hijacker

How harmful is Custom Search Google hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, Custom Search Google hijacker is also really hazardous for web browser utilization. It changes your search engine to its particular – Search1.me, and also alters your background, adding its watermark on your background image (or, sometimes, altering it to default with the specified symbol).

Apart from seeable alterations done by Custom Search Google hijacker, you can see that some of your search queries are redirecting to the dubious websites, filled with web links and ads – so-called doorway websites. Such sites can have links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting surges if you attempt to start Google search page forcibly.

But all these actions are much more irritating than really destructive. The main risk, especially for individuals who have a lot of secret information in their internet browsers, is installed in information collecting capabilities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited web pages, as well as various other activities are easily collected by Custom Search Google hijacker.

How to remove Custom Search Google 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 almost always quite simple to delete. In most cases, they have a separate app that can be spotted in the list of installed software. Because of the particular marketing tactic of Custom Search Google hijacker, it can be easily tracked and erased by hand. Nonetheless, if you got Custom Search Google in the package with a free program, your personal computer might be contaminated with much more harmful malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you to make use of anti-malware tools to deal with the Custom Search Google PUA and all other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of recognizing and eliminating a wide range of malware, including mentioned hijacker. However, severe malware, that might be present on your personal computer in the discussed situation, can disable the Windows antimalware tool by modifying the Group Policies. To stay clear of such situations, it is far better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and eliminate all unwanted programs on your personal computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to utilize Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malicious apps, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and directories.

You can spectate the detected malicious programs sorted by their possible harm till the scan process. But to perform any actions against malicious programs, you need to wait until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.

To choose the action for each detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious program. By default, all the viruses 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 located in the Tools tab.

After choosing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be shown, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing Custom Search Google 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 :

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :



2. 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 :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :



2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :


After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

If you use Google Chrome

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :



2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :



3. 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

1. 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 :



2. 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.

How to Remove Custom Search Google?

Name: Custom Search Google

Description: Custom Search Google - 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 Custom Search Google?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with Custom Search Google (Search1.me), 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

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