The Search Monster search hijacker is an illustration of an average unwanted program; such programs are spread massively these days. In this article you will see the detailed guidance of “Search Monster” hijacker removal in several methods: making use of anti-malware programs and also manual removal method.
Search Monster – What is it?
“Search Monster” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)1, that is promoted as a plugin for your web browser. It is usually shared as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that helps to browse some particular information, as an example, about sporting activity events, make your browser far more secure, allow downloading of any kind of video clip, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).
However, the “Search Monster” plugin is rather pointless because all such functions are currently built-in to your web browser and/or system. Such advertising and marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. However frequently even skilled users are getting caught on such an appeal. In specific situations, this hijacker is dispersed together with free software.
Search Monster Search Hijacker
Here is a details for the Search Monster hijacker
| NAME | Search Monster |
| Site | Wemakemonsters.com |
| Hosting | AS46606 Unified Layer United States, Houston |
| Infection Type | Browser Hijacker, Unwanted Application |
| IP Address | 74.220.199.6 |
| Symptoms | Changed search engine; search queries redirection |
| Similar behavior | Zread, Direct, Searchfox |
| Fix Tool | To remove possible virus infections, try to scan your PC |
How harmful is Search Monster hijacker?
Besides its uselessness, Search Monster hijacker is additionally quite harmful for browser usage. It transforms your search engine to its specific – Wemakemonsters.com, and also modifies your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, sometimes, altering it to default with the mentioned sign).
Besides aesthetic changes done by Search Monster hijacker, you might discover that some of your search questions are redirecting to the suspicious sites, full of links and advertisements – so-called doorway sites. Such sites can consist of links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting rises if you attempt to start Google search page by force.
But all these actions are much more frustrating than really hazardous. The major hazard, specifically for people who have a lot of secret information in their web browsers, is embedded in information collecting functions. Cookie files, chats, often-visited sites, as well as other activities are easily gathered by Search Monster hijacker.
How to remove Search Monster 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 very easy to remove. In most cases, they have an independent app that can be located in the list of installed programs. As a result of the certain distribution way of Search Monster hijacker, it can be simply tracked and deleted manually. Nevertheless, if you got Search Monster in the package with a free program, your system might be infected with a lot more harmful malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you make use of anti-malware programs to remove the Search Monster PUA and all other malware.
You can make use of Microsoft Defender2 – it is capable of detecting and removing various malware, including mentioned hijacker. Nevertheless, major malware, that can be present on your PC in the specified situation, can disable the Windows antimalware tool by editing the Group Policies. To prevent such circumstances, it is far better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
To detect and erase all unwanted programs on your computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malware, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and folders.
You can spectate the detected malicious programs sorted by their possible hazard during the scan process. But to perform any actions against malicious apps, you need to wait until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.
To choose the action for each detected virus or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malware. By default, all the viruses will be moved to quarantine.
Reverting browser settings to original ones
To reset 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 pressing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be displayed, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.
Deleteing Search Monster 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 Search Monster?
Name: Search Monster
Description: Search Monster - 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 Search Monster?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with Search Monster (Wemakemonsters.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
