Search.searchdirma.com

Our researchers report that in some cases Search.searchdirma.com could hijack user’s browser without permission, so you should not be surprised if it settles on the system uninvited. As a consequence, the application was identified as a browser hijacker, but it is not all. During the time the search engine was tested, we also learned it might display results injected with its third-party partners’ advertisements. Since it is unknown where this content might come from, there is a chance that some of it could redirect to unreliable sources, e.g. web pages distributing other similar threats, sites spreading malware or gathering user’s private data, etc. Naturally, because of these risks we advise you not to take any chances with Search.searchdirma.com and remove it manually with the instructions placed below the text or with trustworthy antimalware software.

Search.searchdirma.com is most likely distributed through malicious pop-up advertisements that users might encounter while browsing if they have any suspicious software installed on the system. For example, the application showing these malicious ads could be a potentially unwanted program (PUP), adware, another browser hijacker, and so on. Therefore, it would be a smart idea to check your computer and see if you did not accidentally install such threats.

In case, there are suspicious applications; users should delete them either manually or with a reliable security tool. Afterward, it would be wise to be more careful with freeware. Instead of rushing the installation process, you should find more information first, e.g. reviews, ratings, etc. Also, we would urge users to stay away from unreliable file-sharing web pages, because such sites could offer malicious installers bundled with various threats.

Moreover, the browser hijacker might place some data on the system or add browser extensions, but mostly, users should notice its appearance because of modified browser settings. For instance, the application could replace your default homepage, search engine, and new tab page or just one of these settings with Search.searchdirma.com. To be more precise, a number of changed settings depends on your browser as the application seems to be compatible with Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome.

Once the mentioned changes take place, your browser could start loading Search.searchdirma.com each time you launch it, open a new tab, or simply search the Internet. Besides the fact that the hijacker might have appeared without your consent, the other suspicious thing about it is the redirection to yahoo.com. It should happen right after you submit your search query and click Enter. Under other circumstances, you could trust Yahoo, but in this case, the application redirects you to a modified version of it. Thus, the results it displays might be altered as well, for example, besides the answers matching your used keyword, the search engine could display pop-up advertisements, banners, and other ads from its third-party partners.

Unfortunately, the browser hijacker’s displayed advertisements could come from unreliable sources, and so it is possible that some of the ads might be malicious. For instance, after clicking them, users could be redirected to web pages distributing other browser hijackers, PUPs, adware, suspicious toolbars, and so on. Also, if you interact with malicious ads, they could lead you to third-party websites that contain Trojans, viruses, or other malware. Given these risks, it seems to us that it would be much better to use the original Yahoo search engine or another reliable search tool, which would show possibly harmful content.

If you would like to get rid of Search.searchdirma.com, we could offer the removal instructions located at the end of the text. The instructions show how to erase the threat from separate browsers, so it should not be too difficult to follow them. Nonetheless, if the process looks quite complicated or you want to clean your computer from other suspicious software too, it might be best to install a legitimate antimalware tool. Just launch the antimalware software and click the scanning tool button to start a system checkup. After the scan is over, the tool should show you a list of detections and a deletion button too, so all you have to do is click the button, and the antimalware software should eliminate the threats at once.

Erase Search.searchdirma.com from Internet Explorer

Windows 10 & Windows 8

1. Press Win+R, type Control Panel into the given box and click OK.
2. Select Uninstall a program, mark the application and press Uninstall.

Windows Vista\Windows 7\Windows XP

1. Click on Start and launch Control Panel.
2. Select either Uninstall a program or Add or Remove Programs.
3. Mark the browser hijacker and click Uninstall.

Delete Search.searchdirma.com from other browsers

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Mozilla Firefox and press CTRL+SHIFT+A.
2. Click on Extensions, find the browser hijacker and select it.
3. Press Remove.

Google Chrome

1. Launch Google Chrome and press ALT+F.
2. Choose More tools, click on Extensions and locate an extension related to Search.searchdirma.com.
3. Select the trash bin button near it and press Remove.