Searchopa.com

We want to inform you about a new yet suspicious search engine called Searchopa.com. This search engine is not a browser hijacker because it is not distributed as such but it still features promotional links in its search results which are a potential security risk. We question the legitimacy and safety of the promoted content and are concerned with the undesirable consequences that they can bring and that is why we suggest removing it. We fear that by using this search engine, you may be subjected to malware downloads and other shady websites that include phishing and scam sites. If you do not have an anti-malware tool, then the consequences can be dire, so make sure that have one running at all times.

Search engines such as this one are not too common these days because most of them are labeled browser hijackers. However, this one is a bit different because it asks you whether you want to install it. So, it goes without saying, this search engine comes included with a browser extension or toolbar that gives you the opportunity to opt-out from injecting it into your web browser which is very good news. Unfortunately, we do not know the names of the extensions/toolbars it comes with we are at a dead end. Fortunately, Searchopa.com’s developers where honest enough to make sure that you can choose whether you want it when installing something on your browser.

Searchopa.com is a recently released search engine that has not yet reached its full potential. However, it is getting popular by the day, and our research has revealed that it is most popular in Brazil which accounts for 33 % of all visits followed by Spain with 23.6 %, France with 20.1% and Italy with 15.6 %. With the exception of Brazil which is in South America, most of its user base is stationed in Western Europe which is indicative of where it is mostly distributed. Now let us get into its features since there is no other relevant information available about its origins.

You might not even notice that you have accidentally installed Searchopa.com because it has been made to look similar to Google.com, the most popular search engine. Take note that Searchopa.com does not have an upper bar for logging into a Google account, and there are no options for searching images, videos, and so on. However, it follows the same while background and colored letters theme most of us are so familiar with, but here is where it gets interesting. This search engine features ads on its main page. These ads may be region specific and subject to your browsing preferences as it probably can collect information about you such as your search and browsing history as well as you IP address and, by extension, you geographical location.

Another important aspect about this search engine is that it uses Google Custom Search to process the search queries. Now you should be cautious of this label because it means that Searchopa.com’s developers might have altered the search algorithm to include additional promotional links and there is no way of knowing if they are safe and will not put your computer at risk. Indeed, this innocently-looking search engine can cause you some major problems as it can be configured to promote websites that feature potentially unwanted programs and even malware.

Given that this suspicious search engine pretends to be Google.com and redirects the search queries to Google Custom Search it is plain to see that it does not want you to know what it is all about. Well, our research has revealed that it is all about generating income for its secretive developers and their partners. There is no telling what might happen as a result of clicking its advertisements, so we recommend that you delete it from your system using the removal instructions below.

Reset your web browser’s settings

Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Open the browser and press Alt+T.
2. Select Internet Options.
3. Open the Advanced tab and click Reset.
4. Select the checkbox.
5. Click Reset and click Close.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open the browser and press Alt+H.
2. Select Troubleshooting Information.
3. Click Refresh Firefox.
4. In the dialog box, click Refresh Firefox again.
5. Finish.

Google Chrome

1. Open your browser and press Alt+F.
2. Select Settings.
3. Click Show advanced settings.
4. Select Reset browser settings.
5. Click Reset.