Searchswapper.com Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is searchswapper.com?
searchswapper.com is a fake Internet search engine claiming to enhance the web browsing experience by generating the most relevant search results. Judging by appearance alone, searchswapper.com may seem very similar to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other legitimate Internet search engines.
Therefore, users often believe that searchswapper.com is also legitimate. Be aware, however, that developers promote this site using dubious application 'installers' that modify web browser settings without users' consent. In addition, searchswapper.com continually gathers various user/system information.
Deceptive installer set-ups modify the Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox new tab URL/homepage/default search engine settings by assigning them to searchswapper.com. 'Helper objects' are then installed - third party browser add-ons and/or applications to prevent users from rolling back these changes.
Helper objects automatically reassign the aforementioned settings when user-attempts are made to change them. Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible. This leads to continual unwanted browser redirects, significant diminishing the web browsing experience. Another downside of searchswapper.com is data tracking.
This bogus site collects search queries, IP addresses, websites visited, and other similar data. This information might contain private details that the developers of searchswapper.com share with third parties (who misuse private data to generate revenue).
Thus, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, users who continually encounter unexpected redirects to searchswapper.com should uninstall all suspicious applications and never visit this website again.
There are dozens of fake Internet search engines similar to searchswapper.com. Examples include search.snapdo.com, search.searchwag.com, and search.searchsmg.com. None of these sites deliver any real value for users. All fake Internet search engines are designed to generate revenue for the developers.
Rather than providing any significant value, these sites cause unwanted browser redirects, gather private data, and often generate intrusive online advertisements.
How did searchswapper.com install on my computer?
searchswapper.com is promoted using a deceptive marketing method called 'bundling'. Developers hide all details regarding modification of browser options within the 'Custom/Advanced' settings of the download/installation processes. By skipping this section, users inadvertently grant set-ups permission to modify various browser settings.
This can lead to further computer infections and cause serious privacy issues. Developers' revenue is dependent on the traffic of fake Internet search engines and, therefore, these rogue installations are never properly disclosed.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
This situation can be prevented by taking a number of simple steps. Firstly, never rush when downloading and installing software - select the 'Custom/Advanced' settings and closely analyze each step. Secondly, opt-out of all additionally-included programs and never allow set-ups to modify settings that are irrelevant to the installation.
Website promoting this fake Internet search engine:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is searchswapper.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall searchswapper.com application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove searchswapper.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove searchswapper.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove searchswapper.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove searchswapper.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Searchswapper.com browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently-installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the searchswapper.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Searchswapper.com browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://searchswapper.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "searchswapper".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchswapper.com browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Search Swapper", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, click "set pages", hover your mouse over hxxp://searchswapper.com and click the x symbol. Now, you can add your preferred website as your homepage.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search" section, click "Manage Search Engines...", remove "Search Swapper" and add or select your preferred domain.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchswapper.com browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove all recently-installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://searchswapper.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "searchswapper"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with searchswapper.com browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchswapper.com browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on searchswapper.com browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
▼ Show Discussion