Search.searchwu.com

Search.searchwu.com might look like any other search engine, but unfortunately, it is considered to be a browser hijacker. Usually, such software annoys users since it may modify various browser preferences. Still, the worst part is the doubtful advertising content that could appear while you are browsing the Internet with Search.searchwu.com. The ads might irritate users even more, not to mention some of them could have links to harmful web pages, for example, such sites might contain viruses, Trojans, or other malicious applications. Because of these risks we recommend removing the browser hijacker as soon as possible. No need to worry if you have no idea how to erase the threat as our specialists have prepared step by step instructions that we placed at the end of this page.

The search engine was developed by a company called Polarity Technologies LTD. Our researchers have already encountered a few other threats released by this developer as Search.searchwu.com is not their first creation. In fact, it was determined that the search engine is yet another clone of the company’s previously created browser hijackers, for example, Search.searchlttrnow.com, Search.searchlivesp.com, Search.searchlttrn.com, etc. Apparently, it has the same design, and it works like its previous versions too. Given these similarities, we believe the application is probably distributed the same way the earlier clones were, which is bundled software installers.

Search.searchwu.com could travel with unreliable browser add-ons, adware, potentially unwanted programs, and so on. Perhaps you overlooked its suggestion on the setup wizard or were convinced by its possibly exaggerated description? If this sounds like something that might have happened to you, we would advise you to be more careful in the future. Before deciding what to install you have to research the application on your own, especially when dealing with freeware. It would be advisable to read some reviews and check whether the software’s publisher is reputable. Our specialists also suggest getting reliable antimalware tool because it can both warn about suspicious programs and defend the system against malicious threats.

The browser hijacker can switch your search provider, start page, or new tab page with Search.searchwu.com. Since it may do so while modifying specific files belonging to the affected browser the user might find it difficult to restore these settings to the way they were. After all the application’s goal is to make you browse the Internet with it. Unfortunately, if you do so, the search engine might inject the displayed results with advertisements from its third-party associates. According to our researchers, most of the browser hijackers are programmed to act this way so that their creators could generate advertising revenue. However, while the threat’s developers could be paid for each of your clicks, your interaction with the provided advertisements may endanger the system or even your privacy.

We have a reason to believe the third-party advertisements displayed by Search.searchwu.com could contain links to suspicious web pages. While researching the application, we did review its provided Privacy Policy and End User License Agreement statements. These documents claim that the search engine’s creators do not take any responsibility for the third-party content. Therefore, it is possible the ads might advertise various content, including web pages, applications, or other products that could be malicious.

Obviously, users have to be extremely careful if they do not want to accidentally catch a virus or download other possibly harmful software while clicking the browser hijacker’s displayed ads. Some of the third-party sites might violate your privacy too since they could try to steal sensitive data or convince you to reveal it yourself. To protect both the computer and your privacy we would advise you not just avoid the ads, but most importantly get rid of the application that provides them.

Users with more experience could try to delete Search.searchwu.com manually. Hopefully, the instructions available below this paragraph will make this task easier. Of course, if removing the browser hijacker manually is too much for you to handle, we can offer another way to eliminate it. You could simply install a trustworthy antimalware tool and start a full system scan. Once the process ends, you will have a full list of detected threats and their locations. Also, the antimalware tool should provide a deletion button; just click it once, and the detections should be erased automatically.

Remove Search.searchwu.com from system

Internet Explorer

1. Press Win+R.
2. Type Regedit and select OK.
3. Look for the exact path: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
4. Find a particular value name called Start Page.
5. The right-click it and press Modify.
6. Instead of http://Search.searchwu.com insert another link and click OK.
7. Locate this directory: HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A}
8. Look for files named as FaviconURL, FaviconURLFallback, TopResultURL, and URL.
9. Right-click them to select Modify.
10. Instead of http://Search.searchwu.com insert new links and click OK.
11. Exit the Windows Registry.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Press Win+E.
2. Search for the same location: C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{Unique Mozilla user ID}
3. Find a file titled as Prefs.js.
4. Use Notepad to open it and find the following line user_pref(“browser.startup.homepage”, “http://Search.searchwu.com”).
5. Instead of http://Search.searchwu.com place a new link and press Ctrl+S.
6. Close the document.

Google Chrome

1. Press Win+E.
2. Find the listed path: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
3. Locate files named as Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data.
4. Right-click them and select Delete.
5. Exit the Explorer.