Search Manager Malware Removal

Can’t Remove Search Manager hijacker virus? This page includes detailed Search Manager Removal instructions!

Search Manager is yet another browser hijacker. This malware sneaks into your computer and makes a mess out of your web browsers. Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera – there is no immune program. Search Manager alters their settings and throws you into a whirlwind of reshuffles and ads. Brace yourself! You are stuck with a menace. The hijacker follows programming to bombard you with ads. It inserts various coupons and discounts on every website you visit. It also turns random text into hyperlinks, as well as loads sponsored websites in new tabs. And it doesn’t stop here! This menace replaces your default search engine with a customized search tool that displays more ads than genuine organic results. The parasite manipulates the search results you are provided with. Its practices are more than likely to lure you into online traps. Do not fool yourself! The hijacker has no filters nor security mechanisms. Any crook out there can use this parasite to bombard you with deceptive ads. The criminals show you what you want to see, but when you click, bad things happen! Do yourself a huge favor and remove Search Manager now. Find where the hijacker hides and delete it upon detection.

How did I get infected with?

Search Manager infects into your computer through trickery. It uses bundles, fake updates, corrupted links, and pirated software. This hijacker has numerous tricks up its sleeve. If you, however, do your due diligence, you can prevent its plans from succeeding. The good news is that your actions can prevent infections. Parasites such as Search Manager prey on your naively. They can’t get installed without your permission, so they hide in the fine print and wait for you to let your guard down. Don’t make that mistake! Make their job harder! Be vigilant and doubting instead. Don’t visit shady websites. Download software and updates from reliable sources only. And, of course, don’t skip installation steps. Opt for the advanced/custom setup wizard. Deselect the bonus apps and go through the terms and conditions. Don’t hesitate to abort an installation process if you notice anything suspicious! Do not let a parasite trick you ever again. Always take the time to do your due diligence!

Why is this dangerous?

Search Manager is a menace. It sneaks into your computer and ruins your browsing experience. The parasite meddles with every aspect of your web browsing. Whether you watch a video or browse your favorite website, it is always there to annoy you. Don’t waste time complaining about its ads, though. You are in serious trouble. You are under surveillance! Just take a close look at the ads and you’ll understand the true nature of the hijacker. This parasite doesn’t bombard you with random advertisements. It bases its ads on the websites you visit, the links you follow, the videos you watch. It studies your browsing habits and uses your preferences against you. Do you think that ends well? Do you trust the hijacker with your confidential information? Do you believe that the parasite uses the collected data for ad targeting only? Don’t be naive! The hijacker exists to generate revenue for its shady operators. These people don’t have your best interest in mind. They spy on you and the collected information. If you run out of luck, some pieces of data, your search queries, for example, might leak personal and financial details. Don’t take unnecessary risks! Protect yourself and your privacy. Remove Search Manager ASAP! That’s your best course of action, so don’t waste time! Clean your PC now!

How to Remove Search Manager virus

The Search Manager 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 Search Manager 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 Search Manager related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Search Manager startup location

STEP 3: Delete Search Manager traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Search Manager 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 Search Manager 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 Search Manager 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 Search Manager traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the Search Manager 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 Search Manager

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 Search Manager, 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 Search Manager 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 Search Manager 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.