How to remove searchontec.com from a web browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is searchontec.com?
Our team has examined searchontec.com and learned that it is a shady search engine that may provide questionable search results. Another issue with search engines of this kind is that a big part of them is promoted via browser hijackers. It is common for browser-hijacking apps to be promoted and distributed in deceptive ways.
More about searchontec.com
Search engines such as searchontec.com that are of questionable nature have a history of displaying misleading advertisements, redirecting users to harmful or malicious websites, tracking online activity, and gathering personal information without user consent or knowledge, while providing inaccurate search results.
These types of search engines often promote technical support scams, phishing web pages, adware, and other potentially malicious applications through the results and advertisements that they display. Additionally, the information that is gathered by search engines like searchontec.com may be sold to third parties or misused in other ways.
Therefore, it is recommended to avoid using searchontec.com. The safest way is to browse the web using Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other reputable search engines.
| Name | searchontec.com browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Supposed Functionality | Accurate search results |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 65.8.243.120 |
| 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. |
More about browser hijackers
Browser hijackers are apps that modify web browser settings. This usually involves changing the homepage, search engine, and new tab page to an undesirable website (e.g., a fake or untrustworthy search engine). Also, browser hijackers can monitor users' browsing activity and accumulate personal information.
Examples of browser-hijacking apps are Cosmos Extension, Daily Jokes, and Infinity Search.
How did searchontec.com promoting software install on my computer?
Deceptive websites, advertisements, downloaders, installers for other software, and fake software updates are typical means of distributing browser hijackers. Users frequently install/add such applications unintentionally. Downloaders and installers that include unwanted applications have "Custom", "Advanced", or similar options.
If the aforementioned settings are not adjusted during the installation process, browser hijackers may be installed in conjunction with other software. This distribution method is known as "bundling".
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download applications and files from reputable sources, such as official websites or stores, and avoid downloading from unofficial pages, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, and other dubious sources. Avoid clicking on advertisements shown by suspicious websites or consenting to receive their notifications.
Before proceeding with any downloads or installations, check downloaders and installers for undesirable programs. Uncheck any unwanted applications to prevent them from being installed on your computer. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Searchontec.com shows results (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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Quick menu:
- What is searchontec.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove searchontec.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove searchontec.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove searchontec.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
searchontec.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 searchontec.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
searchontec.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 all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.searchontec.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 "searchontec.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchontec.com 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 and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove hxxp://searchontec.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 "Accept the Risk and Continue".
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 searchontec.com 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 searchontec.com 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit searchontec.com website?
The income earned by the creators of searchontec.com is directly correlated to the volume of traffic to the site.
Is visiting searchontec.com a threat to my privacy?
Search engines kike searchontec.com can be designed to gather various information (e.g., IP addresses, search queries, browsing history) that can be misused for marketing or other purposes.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
In most cases, users install/add browser hijackers via browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, software bundles, etc. It is rarely caused on purpose.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner has the capability to scan a computer and remove browser hijackers that are detected. Manually removing these hijackers may not be effective, especially when multiple hijackers are present. In such cases, removing one hijacker may result in the others reinstalling it.
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