How to remove searcheq.com from the settings of a browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is searcheq.com?
We have discovered searcheq.com while analyzing browser hijackers downloaded from shady websites. We have found at least two browser-hijacking apps that promote searcheq.com - Easy Search and EQSearch. After testing the searcheq.com site, we learned that it is a fake search engine.
More about searcheq.com
Our team has found that searcheq.com shows results generated by Bing, Google, and possibly other search engines. It redirects to bing.com and google.com via dexum.org (a shady address). Searcheq.com does not generate unique results and may show results generated by untrustworthy search engines.
Easy Search promotes searcheq.com by making it the default search engine, homepage and new tab page. It hijacks a web browser by changing its settings. Typically, the settings changed by a browser hijacker cannot be modified while that app is present. A removal guide for fake search engines and browser hijackers is provided below.
| Name | Easy Search browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Easy Search, EQSearch |
| Supposed Functionality | Accurate search results |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
Similarities with other fake search engines
Tobepartou.com, krestinaful.com, mysearch.space are examples of other fake search engines. As a rule, they show results by legitimate and (or) untrustworthy search engines. In some cases, they generate their results with links to potentially malicious sites. Also, fake search engines (and browser hijackers) can be designed to collect various data.
How did searcheq.com install on my computer?
Typically, browsers get hijacked through installers for other programs and fake installers distributed via deceptive pages. Installers containing browser-hijacking apps have "Custom", "Advanced", or similar settings (or ticked checkboxes). Browsers get hijacked when software bundled with a browser-hijacking app gets installed without changing those settings.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Download applications (and files) from official websites. Do not trust apps/files downloaded from P2P networks, shady websites, third-party downloaders, etc. Deselect unwanted applications before downloading and installing software (it can be achieved using the settings mentioned in the previous paragraph).
Also, do not click on advertisements and fake buttons displayed by untrustworthy websites. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate it.
Searcheq.com redirects to bing.com via dexum.org (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:
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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 searcheq.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove searcheq.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove searcheq.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove searcheq.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
searcheq.com 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the searcheq.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
searcheq.com redirect removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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 Easy Search (or EQSearch) and other 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.searcheq.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 "searcheq.com" 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 easy search 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 plugins 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://searcheq.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: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with easy search 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 easy search 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 easy search browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit searcheq.com website?
The creators of searcheq.com generate more revenue when a higher number of users visit the page.
Is visiting searcheq.com a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines like searcheq.com and browser hijackers pose a threat to privacy when designed to gather information about their users.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are distributed via downloaders/installers for other programs, fake installers. Also, developers use social engineering tactics, such as browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, etc., to distribute browser hijackers.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Easy Search browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove detected browser hijackers. It will remove all browser hijackers at once, which will prevent them from reinstalling one another (some browser hijackers can do that).
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