Searchmulty.com Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is searchmulty.com?
searchmulty.com is a fake search engine that falsely claims to enhance the browsing experience by generating improved results and providing quick access to dozens of popular websites (such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, eBay, and so on).
These claims often trick users into believing that searchmulty.com is legitimate and useful, however, developers proliferate this site using various browser-hijacking downloaders/installers. Furthermore, this website records data relating to browsing activity.
Rogue set-ups mainly target Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Following infiltration, they assign searchmulty.com as the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage browser options. They then install a number of "helper objects" - potentially unwanted applications or browser plug-ins.
Although these changes may seem insignificant, users are unable to revert them. "Helper objects" reassign browser settings when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are encouraged to visit searchmulty.com when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar.
This significantly diminishes the browsing experience. Note that after entering a search query in searchmulty.com, users are redirected to search.yahoo.com and end up searching the web via Yahoo (a legitimate search engine). This makes searchmulty.com useless (it simply causes redirects).
"Helper objects" and searchmulty.com record information such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and so on. This information typically includes personal details that are shared with third parties who generate revenue by misusing personal information.
Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues. If you encounter redirects to searchmulty.com, immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins.
Name | Search Multy 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. |
There are dozens of fake search engines that share similarities with searchmulty.com. The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) searchfort.online, go.mennythanks.com, webrowsenow.com, and go.bonefreeze.com.
All claim to enhance the browsing experience by generating improved results and providing other "useful features" (latest worldwide news, local weather forecasts, quick access to popular websites, etc.). These claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
Fake search engines are designed only to generate revenue for the developers, and thus cause redirects and gather information. Some even generate false results and intrusive ads, typically leading to untrustworthy (malicious) websites. Therefore, using fake search engines can lead to high-risk computer infections.
How did searchmulty.com install on my computer?
As mentioned above, searchmulty.com is promoted using browser-hijacking downloaders/installers. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers know that users often rush when downloading/installing software and skip these procedure steps.
Therefore, they hide information regarding modification of browser options within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. By carelessly rushing and skipping steps, many users inadvertently grant set-ups permission to modify settings, expose their systems to risk of various infections, and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Potentially unwanted applications are distributed using the "bundling" method and intrusive advertisements (that redirect to malicious websites and execute scripts that download/install rogue software). Therefore, to prevent this situation, be very cautious when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet.
Carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. We recommend that you download software from official sources only, using direct download links.
Bear in mind that intrusive ads typically seem legitimate, but developers invest many resources into their design and most redirect to dubious sites (survey, gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.), They are delivered by adware-type applications. If you experience these redirects, remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins.
If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate it.
Appearance of searchmulty.com website:
Screenshot of a website promoting searchmulty.com browser hijacker:
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 searchmulty.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall searchmulty.com application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove searchmulty.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove searchmulty.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove searchmulty.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove searchmulty.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
searchmulty.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 applications that cause browser redirects to the searchmulty.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
searchmulty.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://searchmulty.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 "searchmulty.com".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search multy 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
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.searchmulty.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click on 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 "searchmulty.com", 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 multy 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 on "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://searchmulty.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: "searchmulty.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with search multy 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 multy 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 search multy browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
▼ Show Discussion