Search.socialaddons.top Redirect

What is search.socialaddons.top?

According to the developers, search.socialaddons.top is a high-end Internet search engine that supposedly enhances users' browsing experience by generating search results.

Initially, this functionality may appear legitimate and useful, however, criminals promote search.socialaddons.top using browser-hijacking download/installation set-ups that modify browser options without permission. Furthermore, search.socialaddons.top continually gathers various information relating to users' Internet browsing activity.

Research shows that rogue set-ups target Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Immediately after infiltration, they assign the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options options to search.socialaddons.top.

From this point, users continually encounter unwanted redirects to search.socialaddons.top, significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience. In addition, users are unable to revert these changes, since set-ups stealthily install a number of "helper objects" - third party browser plug-ins and/or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).

For instance, at the time of research, one of the "helper objects" was a Google Chrome extension called "Tiempo en columbia en vivo". "Helper objects" reassign browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible.

Criminals deceptively build search.socialaddons.top traffic at the cost of users' web browsing experience. Research also shows that search.socialaddons.top and "helper objects" continually record sensitive data, mostly relating to Internet browsing activity. Collected data typically includes personal details that developers later share with third parties to generate revenue.

These people generate revenue by misusing private information. Therefore, data tracking may lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Be aware that "helper objects" often run various unwanted processes (e.g., to mine cryptocurrency) in the background.

These programs misuse resources, thereby diminishing overall computer performance. If you encounter redirects to search.socialaddons.top, immediately eliminate all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Never return to this website.

Threat Summary:

Name	search.socialaddons.top browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner 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.

The Internet is full of fake Internet search engines, all of which are virtually identical to search.socialaddons.top.

By offering improved search results and a variety of other "beneficial features" (e.g., shortcuts to popular websites, weather forecast, etc.) websites such as bettersearch.co, ampxsearch.com, searchdimension.com, and many others, attempt to give the impression of legitimacy. In fact, fake search engines are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

Rather than giving any real value for regular users, websites such as search.socialaddons.top cause unwanted redirects and gather sensitive data. Some fake search engines generate intrusive advertisements and/or false search results. Both intrusive ads and fake results typically lead to malicious websites.

Furthermore, some ads may run scripts designed to download/install malware or other PUPs. For these reasons, fake search engines pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.

How did search.socialaddons.top install on my computer?

Criminals promote search.socialaddons.top via rogue downloaders/installers. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers hide all information regarding modification of browser options within various sections (usually the "Custom/Advanced" settings) of the download/installation processes.

These people do not disclose this information adequately. Furthermore, many users often rush download/installation processes and skip steps, thereby inadvertently granting set-ups permission to perform various changes, exposing their systems to risk of various infections, and compromising their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Potentially unwanted programs are distributed using the "bundling" method and the aforementioned ads. Therefore, be cautious when downloading/installing software, and browsing the Internet. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings, closely analyze each step of the download/installation processes, and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.

Note that criminals use "bundling" to monetize third party downloaders/installers (they promote dubious apps). Therefore, using third party tools to install your apps is very risky. Furthermore, bear in mind that criminals invest a great deal of resources into intrusive ad design.

Therefore, most look legitimate, however, intrusive ads are distinguishable for their redirects - users are redirected to survey, gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious websites. In this case, you should uninstall all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. The key to computer safety is caution.

Website promoting installation of socialaddons.top browser hijacker:

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Quick menu:

• What is search.socialaddons.top?
• STEP 1. Uninstall search.socialaddons.top application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove search.socialaddons.top redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove search.socialaddons.top browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove search.socialaddons.top homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove search.socialaddons.top redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

search.socialaddons.top 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 search.socialaddons.top website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

search.socialaddons.top 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://search.socialaddons.top 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 "socialaddons".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.socialaddons.top 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 "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Tiempo en columbia en vivo" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries 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, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.socialaddons.top) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.

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 engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list, look for "socialaddons.top", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.socialaddons.top 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://search.socialaddons.top 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: "socialaddons"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with search.socialaddons.top 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 search.socialaddons.top 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.

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