Searchwho.com

Searchwho.com is a currently non-functioning search engine that we have classified as a browser hijacker due to the deceptive methods it is distributed. If you want to remove this hijacker from your computer, then we suggest that you read this short description as it contains a lot of useful information. Now, in short, this browser hijacker’s main goal is to generate advertising revenue. So if it happens to work in the near future, then it is bound to display a lot of promotional ads in its search results. The problem is that it is likely that at least some of those ads can promote malicious content, such as malicious software that can jeopardize your computer’s and even your personal security. Therefore, it is vital to delete this injection as soon as possible.

More often, than not, we do not get to know the names of the companies that developed a certain infection. And, this seems to be the case with Searchwho.com. There is virtually no information about this infection’s origins. Nevertheless, we have found that its Internet Protocol (IP) address is located in Los Angeles, California, USA. Therefore, it is also reasonable to assert that it is marketed for the US and perhaps the Canadian market.

Unfortunately, this hijacker’s dissemination methods are as deceptive as they can get. We have found that Searchwho.com it may still be bundled with malicious software that is put up for download on shady software distributing websites. It is safe to say that this hijacker is most likely being bundled with adware-type programs and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs.) However, this infection is not known to have its accompanying application or browser extension. Thus, is becomes clear that the bundled installers it comes with have been programmed to inject Searchwho.com into the browser. So you do not get to choose whether you want it to become your browser’s homepage or not.

As mentioned, Searchwho.com’s main goal is to generate advertising revenue. And, it is not accidental that it is also a search engine because being a search engine, this hijacker can get away with displaying promotional links that seamlessly blend in with the rest of the content in the search results. Searchwho.com may be usable as a search engine, but most likely redirect all of the search queries to another search engine, but not before connecting to a server that gives this hijacker information on what ads to display. It is also quite likely that it is set to collect non-personal information, such as your geographical location, browsing, and search queries, and so on to customize the ads.

It is also worth mentioning that Searchwho.com has a lot of clone names, such as jokes.searchwho.com, politics.searchwho.com, srvabc.com to name a few. In all, this browser hijacker has 27 different names. You might even call them clone websites. However, they share one commonality — all of them currently do not work. This is, without a doubt, a good thing. However, the malicious software bundles it comes part of still inject it into the browsers (this browser hijacker can affect Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome.) And, there is no telling when it will start working again and presenting links to malicious websites that can turn out to be download links to malicious software, such as spyware, ransomware, and other Trojans.

Therefore, we urge you not to waste any more time any seize the opportunity to remove Searchwho.com from your computer. This hijacker is known to modify DNS settings, but in most cases changing the homepage should be sufficient. Nevertheless, we recommend resetting your browsers’ settings to default just to be sure. So please consult the removal instructions below for more information.

Reset your browsers’ setting to default

Google Chrome

1. Press the Alt+F keys and select Settings.
2. Select Show advanced settings.
3. Click Reset settings and click Reset again.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Press the Alt+H keys and select Troubleshooting Information.
2. Click Reset Firefox.
3. Click Reset Firefox again in the dialog box.
4. Finish.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Press the Alt+T keys and select Internet Options.
2. Open the Advanced tab and click Reset.
3. Mark the checkbox.
4. Then, click Reset and click Close.

Reset DNS setting to default (optional)

1. Press the Windows Key+R keys to open RUN.
2. Type cmd in the dialog box and click OK.
3. Type ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter.
4. Type ipconfig /registerdns and hit Enter.
5. Type ipconfig /release and hit Enter.
6. Type ipconfig /renew and hit Enter.
7. Finally, type netsh winsock reset and hit Enter.
8. Type exit and hit Enter.