Remove Searchby.net Hijacker from Chrome/Firefox/IE

Can’t Remove Searchby.net hijacker virus? This page includes detailed Searchby.net Removal instructions!

Searchby.net is a website that indicates your system is not safe anymore. It’s now home to a dangerous cyber threat. One that belongs to the hijacker family. That’s right. A dangerous hijacker slithered its way into your PC. And, the appearance of Searchby.net, is its grand reveal. Consider it the infection’s announcement. It’s cluing you into its existence. And, you best heed its clue ASAP. The page is a warning, you mustn’t ignore. Hijackers are malicious and hazardous. They wreak havoc, and make a mess for as long as they remain on your PC. That’s why, it’s best to remove them the first chance you get. Or, in other words, following the page’s popping up. Take immediate action against the cyber threat. Once you spot Searchby.net taking over your screen, acknowledge the hijacker’s existence. Find its exact hiding place. Then, delete it on discovery. The sooner you remove it, the better. And, remember. Searchby.net showing up is your sign! It urges you into action. Don’t discard it. Heed it.

How did I get infected with?

Hijackers use trickery to sneak into your system. And, not only that. But they take it up a notch, and invade undetected. They manage to infiltrate your system, with you oblivious to their invasion. The tool, behind Searchby.net, did the same thing. It may seem a bit confusing. Considering, these types of tools need permission to enter your system. Oh, yes! A hijacker has to ask you, the user, if you agree to its installment. Only, if you do, can it access your PC. There’s no way around that rule. But, though, the infection cannot break it. It can, certainly, bend it. So, that’s what it does. Instead of choosing a straightforward approach, the tool does the opposite. It doesn’t outright appear to seek your consent. That leaves too much to chance. What if you deny it? It’s a risk, it cannot take. So, it takes a more covert approach. It still asks, but it does it in the sneakiest way possible. For example, it lurks behind freeware. Or, poses as a bogus update. Or, hides behind spam emails. There’s an array of methods, it can use to invade under the radar. It’s up to you to stop it. Be vigilant enough to spot the infection trying to sneak in. Catch it in the act, and prevent its success! Even a little extra attention goes a long way. Make sure to know what you allow into your system. When installing tools, updates, anything off the web, don’t say YES in blind faith. Do your due diligence. Always choose caution over carelessness.

Why is this dangerous?

The hijacker is an utter plague on your system. It’s intrusive, and it meddles all the time. The infection spreads its clutches throughout your PC. So, in no time, you start to notice its influences in every aspect of your system. The first “weird thing,” that gets your attention, is Searchby.net. The website appears everywhere. It turns into your online shadow. You cannot make a single move without it making an appearance. When you so much as open your browser, you get redirected to the dreaded page. Open a new tab? It’s there. Type in a search? You find it among the results. It even takes over for your default search engine and homepage. Odds are, you had no idea the switch was in place. Not before you stumbled upon it. You didn’t agree to it, you didn’t want it, but it’s there. And, that’s how hijackers operate. They have the power to force reshuffles on you. And, who’s to say, they can’t flood your PC with malware? They can. The one, behind Searchby.net, can. If it so chooses, it can install as many malicious programs as it wants. And, how long before that takes a toll on your system? How long before your computer can’t take it anymore, so it gives up? How long until The Blue Screen of Death pops up? Yes, that’s a pretty minute possibility. But saying the odds are insignificant and minuscule, isn’t the same as them being non-existent. So, as unlikely as that outcome may be, are you prepared to take the risk? Or, would you rather be safe than sorry? Do yourself a favor, and go with the latter. Delete the hijacker ASAP! That way, you’ll also keep your privacy private. Yes, that’s another threat, the hijacker poses. It threatens to steal your personal and financial details. Only to, then, expose them to the strangers that published it. Don’t let it. Get rid of it at once. Don’t delay. Delays cause regrets.

How to Remove Searchby.net virus

The Searchby.net infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the Searchby.net infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

STEP 1: Track down Searchby.net related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Searchby.net startup location

STEP 3: Delete Searchby.net traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Searchby.net related processes in the computer memory

• Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

• Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate Searchby.net startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean Searchby.net virus from the windows registry

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

STEP 3 : Clean Searchby.net traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the Searchby.net by clicking on the little recycle bin
• Reset Google Chrome by Deleting the current user to make sure nothing is left behind

• Open Mozilla Firefox

• Press simultaneously Ctrl+Shift+A
• Disable the unwanted Extension
• Go to Help
• Then Troubleshoot information
• Click on Reset Firefox

• Open Internet Explorer

• On the Upper Right Corner Click on the Gear Icon
• Click on Internet options
• go to Toolbars and Extensions and disable the unknown extensions
• Select the Advanced tab and click on Reset

• Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by Searchby.net

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for Searchby.net, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

• Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
• go to Network and Internet
• then Network and Sharing Center
• then Change Adapter Settings
• Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

You must clean all your browser shortcuts as well. To do that you need to

• Right click on the shortcut of your favorite browser and then select properties.

• in the target field remove Searchby.net argument and then apply the changes.
• Repeat that with the shortcuts of your other browsers.
• Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove Searchby.net Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your whole system or network and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible registry leftovers or temporary files.