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Home › Browser Hijacking › How to remove Search App [Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge]

How to remove Search App [Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge]

Myantispyware team July 25, 2017     No Comment    

If your home page or search engine has changed to the blpsearch.com, then it’s a sign that your browser is infected with obnoxious Search App extension. It means that the Search App has taken over and changed some settings of all your web browsers, without your desire or permission.

Search App

Table of contents

  1. What is Search App
  2. How to remove Search App extension
    • Delete Search App without any utilities
      • Remove PUPs using Control Panel
      • Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts
      • Remove Search App extension from Google Chrome
      • Remove Search App plugin from IE
      • Delete Search App extension from Mozilla Firefox
    • Run free tools to remove Search App
      • Use Zemana Anti-Malware to delete Search App
      • Run Malwarebytes to remove Search App
      • Use AdwCleaner to remove Search App plugin
  3. How to stay safe online
  4. How does your personal computer get infected with Search App extension
  5. To sum up

The Search App extension also changes the search engine selected in the web-browser. When you try to search on the affected web-browser, you will be presented with search results, consisting of advertisements and Google (or Yahoo, or Bing) search results for your query. Among these search results can occur links that lead to unwanted and ad web sites.

It’s not a good idea to have an unwanted application like Search App add-on on your PC. The reason for this is simple, it doing things you do not know about. The add-on can also be used to collect your data that can be later transferred to third parties. You do not know if your home address, account names and passwords are safe. And of course you completely do not know what will happen when you click on any Search App’s advertisements.

The Search App can modify some settings of internet browsers, but often that an unwanted software from the browser hijackers family can also infect all types of internet browsers by changing their desktop shortcuts. Thus forcing the user to see an undesired site every time start the internet browser.

Therefore it is very important to free your computer of the unwanted browser extension as quickly as possible. Follow the few simple steps below to remove Search App extension, as well as other malicious software and ‘ad supported’ software, which can be installed onto your computer along with it.

How to remove Search App extension

The answer is right here on this web page. We have put together simplicity and efficiency. It will allow you easily to clean your machine of addon. Moreover, you can select manual or automatic removal method. If you are familiar with the PC then use manual removal, otherwise run the free anti malware utility designed specifically to delete unwanted extensions such as Search App. Of course, you can combine both methods. Some of the steps will require you to reboot your personal computer or exit the web-page. So, read this instructions carefully, then bookmark or print it for later reference.




If you are using an Apple computer running Mac OS, then use the following step by step tutorial How to remove browser hijacker, pop-ups, ads from Mac

Delete Search App without any utilities

If you perform exactly the step-by-step instructions below you should be able to delete the Search App addon from the Chrome, FF, Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer browsers.

Remove PUPs using Control Panel

We recommend that you begin the PC system cleaning process by checking the list of installed software and delete all unknown or suspicious programs. This is a very important step, as mentioned above, very often the malicious applications such as ad-supported software and browser hijacker infections may be bundled with free software. Delete the unwanted software can delete the unwanted ads or web-browser redirect.

Windows 8, 8.1, 10


First, click Windows button windows key, then click Search windows search. Type ‘Control panel’and press Enter like below.
search
When the ‘Control Panel’ opens, press the ‘Uninstall a program’ link under Programs category as shown in the following example.
windows 10 control panel
You will see the ‘Uninstall a program’ panel as on the image below.
uninstall a program
Very carefully look around the entire list of software installed on your PC system. Most likely, one or more of them are responsible for the appearance of popup advertisements and internet browser redirect to intrusive web pages. If you have many programs installed, you can help simplify the search of harmful programs by sort the list by date of installation. Once you have found a suspicious, unwanted or unused program, right click to it, after that click ‘Uninstall’.

Windows XP, Vista, 7


First, click ‘Start’ button and select ‘Control Panel’ at right panel as on the image below.
windows7 start menu
When the Windows ‘Control Panel’ opens, you need to click ‘Uninstall a program’ under ‘Programs’ as displayed on the screen below.
windows 7 control panel
You will see a list of applications installed on your computer. We recommend to sort the list by date of installation to quickly find the programs that were installed last. Most likely they responsibility for the appearance of popups and web-browser redirect. If you are in doubt, you can always check the application by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing. After the application which you need to uninstall is found, simply click on its name, and then click ‘Uninstall’ as shown in the following example.
Delete a program in Windows 7

Disinfect the browser’s shortcuts

Once a browser hijacker is started, it can also modify the internet browser’s shortcuts, adding an argument similar to “http://site.address” into the Target field. Due to this, every time you launch the browser, it will open an unwanted page.

Click the right mouse button to a desktop shortcut which you use to launch your internet browser. Next, select the “Properties” option. Important: necessary to click on the desktop shortcut for the web-browser that is re-directed to an unwanted web site.

Further, necessary to look at the text which is written in the “Target” field. The browser hijacker can change the contents of this field, which describes the file to be launch when you launch your web browser. Depending on the web-browser you are using, there should be:

  • Google Chrome: chrome.exe
  • Opera: opera.exe
  • Firefox: firefox.exe
  • Internet Explorer: iexplore.exe

If you are seeing an unknown text such as “http://site.addres” which has been added here, then you should remove it, as displayed in the figure below.

clean a shorcut

Next, click the “OK” button to save the changes. Now, when you open the browser from this desktop shortcut, it does not occur automatically redirect on an intrusive site. Once the step is finished, we recommend to go to the next step.

Remove Search App from Google Chrome

Like other modern internet browsers, the Chrome has the ability to reset the settings to their default values and thereby recover the web browser start page, newtab and search engine by default that have been modified by the Search App addon.

Open the Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (Google Chrome menu button). It will display the drop-down menu. Next, click to “Settings” option.

Google Chrome drop-down menu

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Show advanced settings” link. Now scroll down until the Reset settings section is visible, as displayed below and click the “Reset settings” button.

Google Chrome advanced settings

Confirm your action, click the “Reset” button.

Remove Search App plugin from IE

First, start the Internet Explorer, then press ‘gear’ icon Internet Explorer tools menu icon. It will display the Tools drop-down menu on the right part of the internet browser, then click the “Internet Options” as shown on the image below.

reset Microsoft Internet Explorer tools menu

In the “Internet Options” screen, select the “Advanced” tab, then click the “Reset” button. The Internet Explorer will show the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” dialog box. Further, click the “Delete personal settings” check box to select it. Next, click the “Reset” button as displayed in the following example.

reset IE settings

Once the process is finished, click “Close” button. Close the Microsoft Internet Explorer and restart your personal computer for the changes to take effect. This step will help you to restore your web browser’s start page, new tab page and search engine by default to default state.

Delete Search App extension from Mozilla Firefox

The FF reset will keep your personal information like bookmarks, passwords, web form auto-fill data and delete unwanted search provider and homepage such as blpsearch, modified preferences, extensions and security settings.

First, launch the FF and click FF menu button button. It will display the drop-down menu on the right-part of the internet browser. Further, press the Help button (Firefox help button) as shown on the image below

.
Mozilla Firefox settings menu

In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the web browser adress bar and press Enter. It will show the “Troubleshooting Information” page as displayed below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, press the “Refresh Firefox” button.
Firefox troubleshooting info window

It will display the confirmation prompt. Further, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Firefox will start a procedure to fix your problems that caused by the Search App add-on which designed to reroute your browser to an unwanted web-site. After, it’s finished, press the “Finish” button.

Run free tools to delete Search App extension

The extension can hide its components which are difficult for you to find out and remove completely. This can lead to the fact that after some time, the addon again infect your PC system and change some settings of all your typical browsers. Moreover, I want to note that it is not always safe to delete extension manually, if you don’t have much experience in setting up and configuring the MS Windows operating system. The best method to detect and get rid of unwanted browser extensions is to use free malware removal applications.




Use Zemana Anti-Malware to delete Search App

We recommend using the Zemana which are completely clean your computer of the extension. The utility is an advanced malicious software removal program made by (c) Zemana lab. It’s able to help you remove PUPs, plugins, adware, malicious software, toolbars, ransomware and other security threats from your machine for free.

Download Zemana Anti-Malware (ZAM) on your Microsoft Windows Desktop by clicking on the link below.

Zemana AntiMalware
Zemana AntiMalware
159450 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019

When the download is done, close all windows on your computer. Further, start the install file called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up like below, press the “Yes” button.

Zemana Anti-Malware (ZAM) uac

It will display the “Setup wizard” which will assist you install Zemana Anti-Malware on the PC. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.

Zemana SetupWizard

Once install is finished successfully, Zemana AntiMalware will automatically start and you may see its main window as displayed on the image below.

Next, press the “Scan” button to start scanning your computer for the Search App extension related files, folders and registry keys. When a threat is found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly.

Zemana find Search App extension and other kinds of potential threats such as malware and adware

When that process is finished, Zemana Anti Malware will show a screen that contains a list of malware that has been detected. Review the scan results and then press “Next” button.

Zemana scan is finished

The Zemana Free will delete Search App plugin which cause a redirect to an undesired site and add items to the Quarantine. When finished, you can be prompted to restart your system.

Run Malwarebytes to remove Search App

Manual Search App extension removal requires some computer skills. Some files and registry entries that created by the extension can be not completely removed. We advise that use the Malwarebytes Free that are completely free your computer of extension. Moreover, the free program will help you to remove malicious software, PUPs, ad supported software and toolbars that your machine can be infected too.

Download MalwareBytes Free by clicking on the following link. Save it on your Windows desktop.

Malwarebytes Anti-malware
Malwarebytes Anti-malware
317472 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020

After the download is complete, close all windows on your computer. Further, start the file named mb3-setup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up as on the image below, click the “Yes” button.

MalwareBytes uac

It will open the “Setup wizard” which will assist you install MalwareBytes on the PC system. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.

MalwareBytes AntiMalware setup wizard

Once installation is finished successfully, click Finish button. Then MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will automatically start and you can see its main window as displayed in the following example.

MalwareBytes Free MS Windows10

Next, press the “Scan Now” button to start checking your computer for the Search App plugin and other browser’s malicious plugins. This task can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes tool is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified as being infected by malicious software.

MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) MS Windows 10 detect Search App plugin which changes your startpage and search engine

As the scanning ends, MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) will display a screen which contains a list of malicious software that has been detected. Review the report and then click “Quarantine Selected” button.

MalwareBytes Anti Malware Windows10 scan results

The MalwareBytes Free will start to get rid of Search App extension which redirects your web-browser to unwanted web-pages. Once finished, you can be prompted to reboot your machine. We suggest you look at the following video, which completely explains the procedure of using the MalwareBytes to delete browser hijackers, adware and other malware.

Use AdwCleaner to remove Search App plugin

AdwCleaner is a free portable application that scans your computer for ad-supported software, PUPs and plugins such as Search App and helps get rid of them easily. Moreover, it will also help you delete any malicious internet browser extensions and add-ons.

adwcleaner detect Search App extension which created to redirect your internet browser to an intrusive web-page

  1. Download AdwCleaner by clicking on the link below and save it to your Desktop.
    AdwCleaner
    AdwCleaner download
    220674 downloads
    Version: 8.3.2
    Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
    Category: Security tools
    Update: April 28, 2022
  2. After downloading is done, double click the AdwCleaner icon. Once this tool is launched, click “Scan” button .AdwCleaner program will scan through the whole computer for the Search App extension and other malicious software and adware. A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your computer and the speed of your computer. While the AdwCleaner program is scanning, you can see how many objects it has identified as threat.
  3. When finished, AdwCleaner will display a list of all items detected by the scan. Make sure all items have ‘checkmark’ and press “Clean” button. It will show a prompt, press “OK”.

These few simple steps are shown in detail in the following video guide.

How to stay safe online

Enabling an ad-blocking application like AdGuard is an effective way to alleviate the risks. Additionally, ad blocking programs will also protect you from malicious advertisements and web-sites, and, of course, block redirection chain to misleading and similar web pages.

  1. Download AdGuard program from the link below and save it to your Desktop.

    Adguard
    Adguard download
    25640 downloads
    Version: 6.4
    Author: © Adguard
    Category: Security tools
    Update: November 15, 2018
  2. After the downloading process is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
  3. When the installation is done, press “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
  4. In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you launch your computer, AdGuard will launch automatically and block pop up ads, as well as other harmful or misleading web sites. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon named AdGuard, that can be found on your desktop.

How does your personal computer get infected with Search App extension

In many cases, the Search App extension gets onto computer by being attached to the installation packages from a free hosting and file sharing web sites. So, install a free programs is a a good chance that you will find a bundled add-on. If you don’t know how to avoid it, then use a simple trick. During the installation, select the Custom or Advanced installation option. Next, click ‘Decline’ button and clear all checkboxes on offers that ask you to install optional programs. Moreover, please carefully read Term of use and User agreement before installing any software or otherwise you can end up with another unwanted program on your system like this plugin.

To sum up

Now your PC system should be clean of the Search App and other security threats. Delete AdwCleaner. We suggest that you keep Zemana Anti-Malware (ZAM) (to periodically scan your computer for new add-ons and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you stop intrusive popups and malicious web-sites). Moreover, to prevent extensions, please stay clear of unknown and third party programs, make sure that your antivirus application, turn on the option to scan for PUPs (potentially unwanted programs).

If you need more help with Search App related issues, go to our Spyware/Malware removal forum.

 

Browser Hijacking

Author: Myantispyware team

Myantispyware is an information security website created in 2004. Our content is written in collaboration with Cyber Security specialists, IT experts, under the direction of Patrik Holder and Valeri Tchmych, founders of Myantispyware.com.

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