SearchAwesome Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is SearchAwesome?
Developers state that the SearchAwesome application enhances the web browsing experience by providing search-related features. Many users believe that SearchAwesome is legitimate and useful, however, this app often infiltrates systems without permission.
In addition, it delivers intrusive advertisements and records user-system information relating to browsing habits. Therefore, this app is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware.
SearchAwesome delivers coupon, banner, pop-up, and other similar ads. To achieve this, developers employ various tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any visited website. Therefore, intrusive ads often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.
Furthermore, these advertisements can lead to malicious websites and even execute scripts that download malware/PUPs. Even a single click can result in high-risk computer infections. As mentioned above, SearchAwesome also gathers various information relating to web browsing activity.
Collected data (Internet Protocol [IP] addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, queries entered into search engines, etc.) typically includes personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
These people generate revenue by misusing personal data - behavior that can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, you are strongly advised to uninstall SearchAwesome adware immediately.
| Name | Ads by SearchAwesome |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
SearchAwesome is regular adware and, thus, shares many similarities with Quick Searcher, ArcadeGoNetwork, Update Checker, and dozens of others.
By offering a wide range of "useful features", potentially unwanted programs such as SearchAwesome attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, in fact these programs deliver no real value for regular users. SearchAwesome and other similar adware is designed only to generate revenue for the developers.
Rather than enabling the functions promised, adware delivers intrusive ads and gathers sensitive data, thereby posing a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.
How did SearchAwesome install on my computer?
This adware has an official download/promotion website, however, due to the lack of knowledge and careless behavior of many users, SearchAwesome often infiltrates systems without permission. Developers proliferate SearchAwesome using intrusive advertisements and the "bundling" method (stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software).
Developers hide "bundled" potentially unwanted programs within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Many users rush these procedures and skip steps, and are very likely to click advertisements. This exposes their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent system infiltration by PUPs, be very cautious when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Research shows that developers invest many resources into intrusive ad design, thereby making them appear legitimate. Once clicked, however, they redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, and similar).
If you encounter such ads, immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Furthermore, select "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs. During the process, opt-out of all additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them.
Furthermore, we strongly advise you to avoid using third party download/installation tools, since they are monetized using the "bundling" method (promoting PUPs). Apps should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links.
Deceptive installation setup promoting SearchAwesome adware:
Official SearchAwesome installation setup:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is SearchAwesome?
- STEP 1. Uninstall SearchAwesome application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove SearchAwesome adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove SearchAwesome ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by SearchAwesome' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove SearchAwesome extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
SearchAwesome adware 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 "SearchAwesome", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes SearchAwesome ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove SearchAwesome adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, SearchAwesome did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
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 browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by searchawesome, 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by searchawesome, 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by searchawesome 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, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
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 upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by searchawesome, 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:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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Outstanding!
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