Search.searchbtorr.com

Search.searchbtorr.com is a slick-looking search engine that may look like a viable alternative to Google or Bing if you want to try something new. However, the fact of the matter is that this new search engine is not a real search engine as it uses Yahoo to present you with search results. We have classified it as a browser hijacker and recommend removing it because its developer employs deception to get it onto your PC. Furthermore, its search results are likely to include promotional links that can redirect you to unreliable and possibly malicious websites. On top of that, this hijacker will collect anonymous information about you to customize the search results to generate more income from additional clicks.

Search.searchbtorr.com functions like hundreds of other browser hijackers. It was designed to hijack the homepage address of your browser. We think that it should be compatible with the three most popular web browsers that are Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. However, we do not think that it can hijack Microsoft Edge as it has protections from hijacking. The aim of the game is to force you to use this hijacker as a search engine and search the web with it. Little do the users know that the search results were modified for advertising purposes. Search.searchbtorr.com might redirect all entered search queries to Yahoo but not without modifying the search results to include promoted links. These links can be connected to an adware server that promotes questionable content, so you may encounter various shady-looking surveys, claims that you have won a prize of some sort, and so on. This hijacker and indeed subject you to potentially dangerous content and that is why you should not use it.

This hijacker’s official privacy policy states that it can automatically collect some anonymous information about you. This information is collected using legitimate means that involve using browser cookies, pixels, web beacons, and so on. The collected information includes but is not limited to your browsing history, entered search queries, IP address, approximate location, Internet Service Provider (ISP,) browser type, and operating system type. The hijacker uses this information to personalize the promoted links you see to generate more advertising revenue.

Since this search engine is inherently malicious, you should know how you got it or could get, potentially. Search.searchbtorr.com belongs to the Polarity Technologies hijacker family as it is similar to the likes of Search.yourclassifiedscenter.com, Search.yourpackagesnow.com, and Search.directionsandmap.com. They all have been created by the same shady company that specializes in web monetization. This company uses malicious software bundles to have installed on your PC. The bundles can carry various applications including Search.searchbtorr.com which can be hidden. Furthermore, the bundle might not allow you to uncheck its installation and, thus, inject it into your browser without your authorization. You may encounter bundles like that if you frequent freeware sharing websites to get your software.

Due to the fact that it is distributed via malicious software bundles and that it presents ad-supported search results, this search engine is malicious, and you should remove it as soon as you can. The good news is that you can simply replace the homepage address from your respective browser’s options menu as it does not hijack the Target line which would make it a bit more difficult to get rid of if you do not know the particularities of the hijacking process. Please see the step-by-step guide included below on how to replace the homepage address.

How to replace the homepage address

Google Chrome

1. Lunch the browser.
2. Hold down Alt+F.
3. Find the On Startup list and select Set pages.
4. Change the homepage address and click OK.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Lunch the browser.
2. Hold down Alt+T and click Options.
3. Change the homepage address.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Lunch the browser.
2. Hold down Alt+T and click Internet Options.
3. Change the homepage address.
4. Click OK.