How to get rid of Searchmenow.gg redirect from Chrome, Edge, Firefox

Searchmenow.gg is a dangerous browser hijacker wreaking havoc on unsuspecting internet users. It sneaks into systems through free software downloads, fake Google Docs extensions, and a tricky “Your File Is Ready To Download” virus. Once inside, it seizes control of browser settings, forcefully changing the homepage and default search engine to Searchmenow.gg. It even locks browser settings using Google Chrome’s “Managed by your organization” feature, making it difficult to remove. This malicious hijacker redirects searches to its own results page, leading users to harmful websites with scams, fake products, and explicit content. In this article, we provide detailed information on how to identify and eliminate the Searchmenow.gg browser hijacker, safeguarding your online browsing. Read on to learn how to protect yourself from this sneaky threat.

QUICK LINKS

• What is Searchmenow.gg?
• How to remove Searchmenow.gg
• What to Do After Removing the hijacker
• Conclusion: Safeguarding Your Online Experience

What is Searchmenow.gg?

Searchmenow.gg is a notorious browser hijacker that poses a significant threat to users’ online browsing experience, privacy, and security. This malicious software employs various deceptive techniques, including bundled downloads of free software, fake Google Docs extensions, and the notorious “Your File Is Ready To Download” virus, to infiltrate unsuspecting users’ systems.

Once Searchmenow.gg gains access to a user’s computer, it takes control of the browser settings, forcefully altering the homepage and default search engine to Searchmenow.gg without the user’s consent. This intrusive modification not only disrupts the user’s preferred browsing environment but also establishes the hijacker’s authority over the affected browser.

One particularly concerning aspect of Searchmenow.gg is its manipulation of search results. Whenever a user performs a search, the hijacker redirects them to its own search result page, using a URL structure such as “https://searchmenow.gg/result.php?q=QUERY“, where “QUERY” represents the user’s search term. The search results displayed on this page are often misleading and can lead users to malicious websites, work-at-home scams, diet pill frauds, fake virus alerts, explicit content, and other dubious or harmful online content. By redirecting users to such sites, Searchmenow.gg exposes them to potential financial losses, identity theft, and other online threats.

Privacy is also compromised by Searchmenow.gg as it possesses the ability to collect sensitive information about users’ browsing activities. This includes details such as search queries, visited websites, and potentially even personal data. The unauthorized gathering of this information raises significant concerns regarding user privacy and the potential for misuse or sale of the collected data.

Removing Searchmenow.gg can be a daunting task as it employs sophisticated techniques to evade removal attempts. For instance, it leverages the “Managed by your organization” feature in Google Chrome to lock browser settings, making it difficult for users to revert the changes manually. This persistence adds to the frustration and urgency of removing the hijacker from the infected system.

To protect your online browsing, privacy, and security, it is crucial to address the Searchmenow.gg browser hijacker promptly. In the upcoming sections of this article, we will provide detailed information on the inner workings of the hijacker, the potential risks it poses to users, and comprehensive step-by-step instructions on how to effectively remove Searchmenow.gg from your system. By following these instructions, you can regain control over your browser settings, mitigate privacy risks, and restore a safe browsing experience. Continue reading to learn how to safeguard yourself from this deceptive hijacker.

Examples of Browser hijackers

Browser hijackers are a prevalent and persistent threat that can significantly disrupt users’ online activities and compromise their privacy. These malicious programs manipulate browser settings, redirect searches, and often exhibit intrusive behavior. In this section, we present a list of browser hijackers similar to Searchmenow.gg, including Gosearches.gg and other notable variants.

BestSearch.Ai, iStart New Tab, and Gosearches.gg are examples of other browser hijackers similar to Searchmenow.gg that you should be aware of. By familiarizing yourself with these examples, you can better recognize the characteristics and potential risks associated with these hijackers.

How did Searchmenow.gg get installed?

Understanding how browser hijackers like Searchmenow.gg infiltrate systems is crucial in preventing their unwanted presence. Searchmenow.gg can get installed through various means, often taking advantage of users’ unsuspecting actions. Common methods include deceptive pop-up advertisements, malicious email attachments, fake software updates, or bundled downloads of freeware or shareware programs. Users may unintentionally grant permission for the installation of Searchmenow.gg by hastily clicking through installation prompts or neglecting to read the terms and conditions. Here are some of the main ways this browser hijacker gets installed:

• Searchmenow.gg often piggybacks on free software downloads. When users install applications from untrustworthy sources or neglect to opt out of additional offers during the installation process, the hijacker may stealthily sneak in.
• Malicious ads and pop-ups can trick users into clicking on them, leading to the unintended installation of Searchmenow.gg. These ads may appear on compromised websites or be triggered by adware infections.
• Scammers may present fake software updates or security alerts, urging users to download and install certain files. Unfortunately, these updates are often a guise for delivering malware like Searchmenow.gg onto unsuspecting systems.
• Opening email attachments from unknown or suspicious sources can introduce browser hijackers like Searchmenow.gg onto your computer. Always exercise caution and scan attachments with reliable antivirus software before opening them.
• Clicking on links from unreliable sources, such as suspicious websites or unverified emails, can lead to the inadvertent installation of Searchmenow.gg. Avoid interacting with unfamiliar links, especially those promising free downloads or claiming urgent action is required.

Examples of scam pages that are designed to trick users into installing browser hijackers:

To protect yourself from Searchmenow.gg and similar browser hijackers, practice safe browsing habits. Be cautious when downloading software, keep your operating system and security software up to date, and exercise skepticism when encountering unfamiliar links or email attachments.

Threat Summary

How to remove Searchmenow.gg from Windows 11 (10, 8, 7, XP)

To remove Searchmenow.gg from your browser, go to the browser’s extensions or add-ons settings and uninstall any suspicious extensions. Then, change the default search engine in the browser’s settings to a trusted source such as Google or Bing. If the fake search engine is still present, reset the browser to its default settings. Additionally, it’s important to scan your computer for malware using an antivirus program.

If you have any questions or need help, write a comment below. Some steps will require you to restart your device or exit this web page. So, read this guide carefully and then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for future reference.

To remove Searchmenow.gg, perform the steps below:

1. Uninstall any suspicious programs
2. Remove Searchmenow.gg from Chrome
3. Remove Searchmenow.gg from Edge
4. Scan your computer for malware

Read this section to know how to manually remove the Searchmenow.gg hijacker. Even if the step-by-step guide does not work for you, there are several free removers below which can easily handle such hijackers.

Uninstall any suspicious programs

The first step is to check your computer for any suspicious programs or extensions and remove them. To do this, go to the Control Panel (on Windows) or Applications (on Mac) and uninstall any programs that you don’t recognize or that you think may be associated with the Searchmenow.gg hijacker.

Windows 7	Windows 8
Click ‘Start’. In the Start menu select ‘Control Panel’. Find and select ‘Programs and Features’ or ‘Uninstall a program’. Select the program. Click ‘Uninstall’.	Press and hold Windows key and hit X key. Select ‘Programs and Features’ from the menu. Select the program. Click ‘Uninstall’.
Windows 10	Mac OS
Press and hold Windows key and hit X key. Select ‘Programs and Features’ from the menu. Select the program. Click ‘Uninstall’.	On the top menu select ‘Go’, then ‘Applications’. Drag an unwanted application to the Trash bin. Right-click on the ‘Trash’ and select ‘Empty Trash’.

Remove Searchmenow.gg from Google Chrome

1. Open the Google Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal dotes (). Select More Tools, then click Extensions. You can also type chrome://extensions into Chrome’s address bar.
2. Examine your list of installed extensions and find any that you don’t recognize, you know are malicious or simply want to remove. Click the “Remove” button below the extensions you want to remove. In the pop-up that comes up, click “Remove” once again. The extension box and icon should disappear from the screen.
3. If the “Remove” option is not available as the extension is being detected as “Installed by administrator” or “Managed by your organization” then the easiest way to fix this is to follow the instructions: Remove Google Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy, Chrome Managed by your organization malware removal guide.
4. To completely remove any changes made by the Searchmenow.gg hijacker, reset your browser settings to their default values. To do this, go to the Chrome main menu again, click “Settings”. Click Reset settings and then “Restore settings to their original defaults”.
5. Confirm your action, click the “Reset settings” button.

Remove Searchmenow.gg from Edge

1. Open Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots icon in the top right corner. Select “Extensions” from the drop-down menu. You can also type edge://extensions into Edge’s address bar.
2. Look for any suspicious extensions that may be associated with Searchmenow.gg and click on “Remove” to uninstall them.
3. Next, click on “Settings” from the drop-down menu. Scroll down and click on “Privacy, search, and services” from the left-hand side menu.
4. Under “Services”, click on “Address bar and search”.
5. Click on “Manage search engines”. Look for Searchmenow.gg and click on the three dots icon on the right-hand side.
6. Select “Remove from list” to delete Searchmenow.gg from the list of search engines.
7. Restart your browser and check if Searchmenow.gg is no longer present.

If these steps do not remove Searchmenow.gg from your browser, it is recommended to use a trusted antivirus program to scan your computer for any associated malware or viruses.

Scan your computer for malware

It is possible that the browser hijacker came bundled with PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) and other unwanted software. To ensure that your computer is clean, run a full system scan with a reputable antimalware software.

You can automatically get rid of the browser hijacker with MalwareBytes. Malwarebytes is a reputable anti-malware software that is commonly used to remove various types of malware, including browser hijackers like Searchmenow.gg.

1. Download Malwarebytes by clicking on the link below. Save it on your Windows desktop.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware
   326469 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: April 15, 2020
   
2. Once the download is done, close all applications and windows on your personal computer. Open a folder in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named MBsetup.
3. Choose “Personal computer” option and press Install button. Follow the prompts.
4. Once installation is finished, scan your computer. Run a full scan of your computer to detect and remove any browser hijackers and other forms of malware. The scan may take several minutes to complete, depending on the size of your hard drive and the speed of your computer.
5. Remove detected threats. If the scan finds any threats, click Quarantine to remove them. The software will automatically remove the browser hijacker and any associated malware. After the removal process is complete, restart your computer to ensure that any changes made by the hijacker are fully removed.

The following video demonstrates how to remove hijackers, adware and other malware with MalwareBytes.

What to Do After Removing the hijacker

After successfully removing the Searchmenow.gg hijacker from your computer, it is important to take some additional steps to ensure that your computer and personal information remain secure. Here are some recommended actions to take:

1. It’s important to change your browser settings back to your preferred search engine and homepage. Make sure that Searchmenow.gg is completely removed from your browser’s settings and that it cannot reappear.
2. If you entered any sensitive information such as login credentials or passwords while the browser hijacker was active, change them immediately. This will prevent any potential identity theft or unauthorized access to your accounts.
3. To remove any traces of the browser hijacker, clear your browser history and cache. This will help ensure that any data or information collected by the hijacker is removed from your system.
4. Use a reputable anti-malware program like Malwarebytes to scan your computer for any remaining malware or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). This can help ensure that there are no hidden threats or malicious files on your computer.
5. Make sure that your browser and operating system are up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates. This can help prevent future security issues and keep your system protected.
6. To avoid getting infected with similar malware in the future, be cautious of downloads and only download from reputable sources. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.

Conclusion: Safeguarding Your Online Experience

After delving into the deceitful tactics of Searchmenow.gg and its potential impact on your online security, it’s crucial to take action to safeguard yourself and prevent future encounters with similar threats. Here are some simple steps you can follow to enhance your online safety:

• Be cautious when downloading software or browser extensions. Stick to trustworthy sources and verify the legitimacy of the applications before installing them.
• Regularly check your browser settings, like your homepage and default search engine. If you notice any unexpected changes, investigate and reset them to your preferred choices.
• Stick with well-known search engines like Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. These platforms have robust security measures in place and are less likely to expose you to harmful content.
• Install trusted security software. Invest in a reputable antivirus or antimalware program to detect and remove threats effectively. Keep your security software up to date to ensure it can tackle the latest risks.
• Stay up to date with the latest online scams, malware, and browser hijackers. By educating yourself, you’ll be better equipped to recognize potential threats and take preventive measures.

Remember, removing Searchmenow.gg is just the first step. It’s important to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting yourself from similar threats that may emerge in the future. By following these simple guidelines and adopting safe browsing habits, you can reduce the risk of falling prey to deceptive search engines and safeguard your online privacy and security.

Stay informed, stay cautious, and enjoy a safer browsing experience!