How to remove Movie Searcher browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is Movie Searcher?
While testing the Movie Searcher application (browser extension), we noticed that it operates as a browser hijacker. This app hijacks a web browser by changing some of its settings to search-movie.com. The purpose of Movie Searcher is to promote a fake search engine. This extension is promoted on a deceptive page.
Movie Searcher browser hijacker overview
Movie Searcher changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to search-movie.com. Upon further examination, we discovered that search-movie.com redirects users to bing.com, which is a reputable search engine.
However, fake and untrustworthy search engines can redirect users to malicious pages, provide false information, and display suspicious ads. Therefore, search-movie.com and other similar search engines should not be trusted, and users are encouraged only to use legitimate search engines, such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.
Additionally, Movie Searcher can read browsing-related data, including browsing history, which could be sold to third parties or used for marketing purposes. To prevent potential issues related to online privacy, it is advisable to remove Movie Searcher from your system (web browser).
| Name | Movie Searcher |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Movie Searcher |
| Supposed Functionality | Custom commands for movie searching |
| Promoted URL | search-movie.com |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (search-movie.com) | 172.67.154.3 |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| 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. |
Browser hijackers in general
Browser hijackers are designed to advertise untrustworthy search engines, often by modifying web browser settings. While many of these applications will change browser settings, some will not. Browser hijackers are often promoted using deceptive techniques to deceive users into installing or adding them.
Examples of browser hijackers are Cosmos Extension, Tennis Start, and Clipbox Tab.
How did Movie Searcher install on my computer?
Movie Searcher is advertised on a dubious website that encourages users to install the extension to their web browser, and it also has an official page. After following the steps on either page, Movie Searcher hijacks the browser.
Browser hijackers are often bundled with other programs to trick users into adding them. During installation, users are presented with "Advanced," "Custom," or similar settings that include additional offers. Users accept these offers when they install software without reading and changing the provided settings.
In some cases, unexpected downloads and installations can occur after clicking on suspicious ads that run certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download applications only from official web pages and stores, and read reviews before downloading any app. Avoid downloading from P2P networks, third-party downloaders, shady pages, and similar sources. Do not click on ads displayed on questionable websites or allow such pages to show notifications.
When installing software, make sure to deselect any unwanted applications/optional installations before completing the installation process. If your computer is already infected with Movie Searcher, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Search-movie.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Movie Searcher browser hijacker:
Shady website promoting Movie Searcher browser hijacker:
Official site used to promote Movie Searcher:
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 Movie Searcher?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Movie Searcher application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Movie Searcher browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove search-movie.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove search-movie.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Movie Searcher 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 (which cause browser redirects to the search-movie.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Movie Searcher browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Movie Searcher browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:
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 "Movie Searcher" and other 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 "Movie Searcher", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search-movie.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 "search-movie.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 search-movie.com redirect, 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 extensions 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 "Movie Searcher", as well as 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 "Movie Searcher", remove hxxp://search-movie.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 search-movie.com redirect 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-movie.com redirect, 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-movie.com redirect 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 search-movie.com website?
The owners of search engines like search-movie.com generate more income when the number of visitors is higher.
Is visiting search-movie.com a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines can be used to collect user data, such as search queries, browsing history, and personal information, which can then be sold to third-party advertisers or used for other malicious purposes.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Hijackers typically spread through various methods, including bundled installers, questionable download sources like freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Movie Searcher browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner can scan your computer and remove any existing browser-hijacking applications. It is important to note that manual removal may not always be effective, especially when dealing with multiple browser hijackers that reinstall each other.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion