What is Searchfox browser plugin? — Fix Guide

The Searchfox search hijacker is an example of a standard unwanted program; such programs are promoted enormously nowadays. In this article you will see the complete instructions of “Searchfox” hijacker removal in several ways: utilizing anti-malware software and also hand-operated elimination process.

It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!

Removing Searchfox 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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Searchfox – What is it?

“Searchfox” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is spread as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically advertised as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to browse some precise info, for example, about sport events, make your browser far more safe, enable downloading of any video, et cetera.

However, the “Searchfox” plugin is pretty pointless since all such features are currently integrated to your web browser and/or system. Such advertising and marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. However often even qualified users are getting caught on such an attraction. In specific instances, this hijacker is spread along with free programs.

Searchfox Search Hijacker

Here is a short details for the Searchfox hijacker

How harmful is Searchfox hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, Searchfox hijacker is also fairly unsafe for browser utilization. It changes your search engine to its particular – Searchfox.me, and likewise alters your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, in some cases, changing it to default with the mentioned symbol).

In addition to seeable modifications done by Searchfox hijacker, you may discover that several of your search inquiries are redirecting to the uncertain websites, full of links and promotions – so-called doorway sites. Such sites can contain links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting increases if you attempt to launch Google search page by force.

But all these activities are more irritating than truly harmful. The most important danger, particularly for people who have a considerable amount of secret information in their internet browsers, is embedded in data gathering functions. Cookie files, chats, often-visited sites, as well as other activities are simply collected by Searchfox hijacker.

How to remove Searchfox 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 generally fairly very easy to deal with. In most cases, they have a separate application that can be seen in the list of installed software. Due to the certain marketing method of Searchfox hijacker, it can be conveniently tracked and erased manually. Nevertheless, if you got Searchfox in the bundle with a free applications, your system might be contaminated with far more major malware – trojans, spyware or even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you make use of anti-malware programs to delete the Searchfox PUA and all other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of finding and eliminating various malware, including named hijacker. However, significant malware, that might be present on your personal computer in the mentioned situation, can disable the Windows antimalware program by editing the Group Policies. To stay clear of such scenarios, 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 utilize Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malicious apps, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and folders.

You can spectate the detected malware sorted by their possible hazard till the scan process. But to choose any actions against malware, you need to wait until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.

To choose the action for every detected virus or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious app. By default, all the viruses will be moved to quarantine.

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you need to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action cannot be counteracted by any virus, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.

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

Deleteing Searchfox 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 Searchfox?

Name: Searchfox

Description: Searchfox - 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 Searchfox?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with Searchfox (Searchfox.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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