How to uninstall SApp+ and other browser hijackers?

What is srchpx.xyz?

srchpx.xyz is one of many fake search engines on the internet. Like most of them, this search engine is promoted through a potentially unwanted application (PUA), a browser hijacker.

The name of the PUA that promotes srchpx.xyz is called SApp+. Typically, browser hijackers promote fake search engines by changing certain browser settings. Furthermore, apps of this type usually gather browsing data (information relating to users' browsing habits).

Research shows that this particular browser hijacker (SAp++) does not actually change browser settings to promote srchpx.xyz - rather, SAp++ detects when a user enters a search query and opens srchpx.xyz through searchmes.xyz, the address of another dubious web page.

Browser hijackers that change settings, set the address of a fake search engine as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. In this way, they force users to visit fake search engines when they open a browser, new tab or enter search queries into the URL bar.

Typically, PUAs prevent users from undoing or changing these settings as long as the hijacker is installed. Fake search engines such as srchpx.xyz tend to provide misleading results. They often display results that can lead to untrusted or even malicious web pages.

Furthermore, apps such as SApp+ promote fake search engines and collect various browsing-related information. For example, IP addresses, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, geolocations, and other data of this kind, however, some browser hijackers also gather sensitive, personal information.

The developers use the data to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it in other ways.

In summary, people who have browsers hijacked by apps such as SApp+ are exposed to risk of identity theft, problems relating to browsing safety, privacy, and other issues. Therefore, remove any installed browser hijackers from browsers and operating systems immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	srchpx.xyz browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab.
Browser Extension(s)	SApp+
Supposed Functionality	Improved web browsing experience.
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine.
Detection Names	Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	104.27.184.114
Symptoms	Manipulated internet browser settings (homepage, default internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the 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 browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious 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.

xscx.xyz, piolo.xyz, guj5.xyz are some examples of other fake search engines that are promoted through browser hijackers. PUAs are commonly advertised as useful, legitimate applications, however, most do not function as promised.

They are designed only help the developers to generate revenue by gathering data and forcing people to visit addresses of fake search engines (and often other dubious web pages). Furthermore, having your browser hijacked by an app of this type can lead to many problems.

How did srchpx.xyz install on my computer?

In many cases, PUAs are distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". This is used to trick people into downloading and/or installing PUAs with other programs by including them in download or installation set-ups. In most cases information, about additional downloads/installations can be found in "Custom", "Advanced" and similar settings of the set-ups.

People who download and install programs without checking and changing these settings often allow unwanted apps to infiltrate. PUAs are sometimes downloaded and installed when people click deceptive ads that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

The safest way download software is using official websites and direct links. Various third party downloaders, installers, torrent clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks), unofficial websites and other download, installation tools are used to distribute PUAs.

Do not download or install programs without checking "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar settings of the set-ups - these often mention offers to download or install additional, potentially unwanted software.

Intrusive ads that are displayed on untrusted websites can open other websites of this type - do not click them, since they might also cause download/installation of unwanted apps. Remove any unwanted, unknown or suspicious extensions, plug-ins or add-ons from the web browser immediately.

The same should be applied to software of this type that is installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate it.

Deceptive website offers to update Mozilla Firefox with a fake Firefox installer that installs SApp+:

SApp+ asks permission to access and store various data:

Hijacker browser opens srchpx.xyz through searchmes.xyz (GIF):

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

srchpx.xyz redirect 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 (like "SApp+"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the srchpx.xyz website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

srchpx.xyz redirect 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 (like "SApp+"), 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://srchpx.xyz 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 "SApp+".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the srchpx.xyz 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 (like "SApp+") 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, disable "SApp+" (or other PUA), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.srchpx.xyz) 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 "srchpx.xyz", 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 srchpx.xyz 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 (such as "SApp+", or any other PUA).

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, disable "SApp+" or other PUA, remove hxxp://srchpx.xyz 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: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with srchpx.xyz 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 srchpx.xyz 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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