Search.searchwatchos.com

It took only a few minutes for our researchers to realize that Search.searchwatchos.com is just another clone of Search.searchwu.com, Search.searchmmap.com, Search.searchfpdfc.com, and other similar browser hijackers. Thus, if you encountered this threat, we advise you not to waste any time with it and find yourself a reliable search engine you could trust, for example, google.com, yahoo.com, etc. Of course, firstly, users should get rid of Search.searchwatchos.com. Those who have any experience with such threats could try to delete it manually; just take a look at the removal instructions we are offering below the text. As for users who might be dealing with a browser hijacker for the first time, it might be useful to read the rest of the article and learn more about the suspicious application, especially if you do not wish to encounter it ever again.

To find out how to stay away from suspicious programs like Search.searchwatchos.com, it is important to know how they might enter the system. Our researchers say the most popular way to distribute browser hijackers is to bundle them with other untrustworthy software or promote them through suspicious ads. If you do not recall agreeing to receive this search engine you probably installed it unknowingly. As we just mentioned the application could be distributed with bundled setup files, so users who do not review provided terms may overlook it being suggested. Unfortunately, if you do not deselect unwanted programs yourself, they might installed automatically without any further notice. Therefore, it is extremely crucial to carefully read all terms on the configuration wizard and deselect the suggestions you do not need.

Search.searchwatchos.com does not create any data on the computer, so you should not see it in the Control Panel like other programs. This application settles on the system by modifying specific browser files that were already on the computer. For instance, if you are browsing with Google Chrome, the hijacker might go to %LocalAppData%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default directory, where it should modify files called Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data. Such data contains particular code lines that determine the user’s default homepage, new tab page, and other preferences. To force the targeted browser to load the search engine, the application could erase links to your preferred web pages and insert Search.searchwatchos.com instead. Besides Google Chrome, the search engine should work on Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox.

The browser hijacker’s ability to replace default user’s settings can be irritating, but there is a bigger problem with it. As it seems, the search engine might display modified search results. It would mean the results could include not only links to web pages related to your search queries, but also third-party pop-ups, banners, or other similar advertising content. The ads might look harmless, but it is possible they could redirect you to web pages promoting other browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs, adware suspicious toolbars, and so on. Other advertisements could be dangerous because they may redirect you to web pages that could try to collect your email address, telephone number, or other personal information. Naturally, because of these risks, we would advise you to avoid the hijacker’s displayed ads or better yet get rid of the threat responsible for their appearance.

The deletion part might be not the easiest one, but if you follow the provided instructions carefully, you should not have much trouble with it. However, if removing Search.searchwatchos.com manually appears to be more complicated than expected, it is advisable to use an antimalware tool you prefer instead. Our researchers suggest using it also for anyone who wants to clean the system from other unreliable applications or acquire a useful tool that could help guard the system against various threats. Needless to say that no matter how you decide to handle the hijacker, we are here to assist if you need more help or have other questions related to this suspicious search engine.

Remove Search.searchwatchos.com from browsers

Internet Explorer

1. Press Win+R.
2. Insert Regedit and click OK.
3. Locate the exact directory: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
4. Choose a value name called Start Page.
5. Right-click it and select Modify.
6. Replace http://search.searchwatchos.com with a trustworthy link and click OK.
7. Navigate to this specific location: HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A}
8. Select files called FaviconURL, FaviconURLFallback, TopResultURL, and URL.
9. Right-click them separately and press Modify.
10. Replace their current value data (http://search.searchwatchos.com) and press OK.
11. Close the Registry Editor.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Press Win+E.
2. Go to this path: C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{Unique Mozilla user ID}
3. Find a file called Prefs.js.
4. Launch it as a Notepad document.
5. Locate this line: user_pref(“browser.startup.homepage”, “http://search.searchwatchos.com”).
6. Replace http://search.searchwatchos.com with a more reliable link.
7. Press Ctrl+S.
8. Close the document.

Google Chrome

1. Press Win+E.
2. Navigate to the given location: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
3. Select files called Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data.
4. Right-click them and press Delete.
5. Exit the Explorer.