Websearch.search-mania.info

Many Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer users who encounter Websearch.search-mania.info claim that this search tool has corrupted their browsers without permission. Is it possible that something as noticeable as a search tool was installed illegally? It sure is, and we know such search tools as browser hijackers. Sadly, this is not the first malicious hijacker we have seen, and it is not even the first one in its family. An engine has been set up to create search tools, and it was exploited time and time again for the development of hijackers that are very easy to identify by name. The clones of the hijacker we are discussing include Websearch.hotfindings.info, Websearch.coolsearches.info, and Websearch.searchitup.info. Of course, we suggest deleting these hijackers for the same reasons. If you are curious about the removal of Websearch.search-mania.info, you can continue reading.

The distribution of Websearch.search-mania.info is a real mystery. Needless to say, users are unlikely to download this search tool themselves, which is why third-party channels are used instead. It is most likely that you got your browsers infected with this hijacker when downloading other programs introduced to you by unfamiliar installers. As you might know already, unreliable programs often promote additional software because this is the easiest way to convince users into downloading them. On top of that, third-party software distributors might earn money by promoting other programs. All in all, it is very possible that you have downloaded additional software along with Websearch.search-mania.info, which means that other unreliable pieces might be active. Of course, harmless programs could be used to infiltrate the hijacker without your notice, but very malicious infections could travel bundled with it as well. So, how do you know if malware was infiltrated? The easiest way to determine that is with the help of a malware scanner.

Although Websearch.search-mania.info resembles a genuine search provider, it cannot be trusted. First of all, it does not provide reliable search results. As a matter of fact, the moment you enter keywords, you are automatically redirected to a third-party search engine, and that is a sign of malware. According to our researchers, the hijacker redirects to worldsearchpro.com, a search tool that records personally-identifiable information. Of course, it cannot be trusted. Our research has shown that this search tool does not work, but if it does, it is most likely to show sponsored links, and some of them might route you to malicious websites. Another thing about Websearch.search-mania.info that needs mentioning is the banner advertisements. These ads might display recommendations to install antivirus tools, media players, video codecs, and all sorts of other programs that you might find attractive. Well, if you download any software recommended by the hijacker, you might let in malware, and that is something you have to prevent from happening. If malware was downloaded already, first scan your PC to identify them, and then find the best way to erase them from your operating system.

Deleting Websearch.search-mania.info is not a complex task. Some users get rid of it by replacing the unwanted URL in the homepage settings, which is very easy to do if you are familiar with your browsers. Another manual removal method is represented below, and this one calls for eliminating registry keys and files. Do not worry, this task only seems complicated, but our guide will help you get through the steps quickly. Also, note that you might have to remove Websearch.search-mania.info from different browsers. Even if you do not use some of them, eliminating this hijacker is important because you do not want a single trace of it on your operating system. There is one more removal method that you should consider, and that is automated removal. If other threats are active, you do not know how to eliminate them, and you worry about your virtual security, employing anti-malware software is the best decision. Install it now, and you will have all active infections and unreliable programs erased momentarily.

Websearch.search-mania.info Removal

Internet Explorer:

1. Simultaneously tap Win+R to launch RUN.
2. Type regedit.exe and click OK to launch Registry Editor.
3. Move to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\.
4. Click Main and right-click the Start Page value name.
5. Select Modify.
6. Replace the http://Websearch.search-mania.info URL with the URL of the desired homepage.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Simultaneously tap Win+E to launch Explorer.
2. Enter %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\ into the address bar.
3. Open the folder named after a {Unique mozilla user ID}.
4. Right-click the prefs.js file and choose to open it with Notepad.
5. Remove the string user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://Websearch.search-mania.info");.
6. Click the File tab on the menu, select Save, and exit the file.

Google Chrome:

1. Simultaneously tap Win+E to launch Explorer.
2. %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\ (Windows XP users enter %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\) into the address bar.
3. Open the Default/{unique profile name} folder.
4. Either delete the Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data files or open them with Notepad and replace the http://Websearch.search-mania.info URL with the URL of the desired homepage.