How to remove searchtonow.com from a browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is searchtonow.com?
We have determined that searchtonow.com is a dubious search engine that could present misleading results and advertisements. Typically, search engines are promoted through browser hijackers - applications that alter a web browser's settings. It is recommended to avoid using questionable search engines.
More about searchtonow.com
Dubious search engines, such as searchtonow.com, can exhibit misleading advertisements, steer users towards harmful or malicious websites, trace online activity, harvest personal information without the user's permission or awareness, and provide erroneous search outcomes.
The results and ads presented by search engines like searchtonow.com may endorse various technical support scams, phishing websites, potentially harmful applications, and more. The data acquired by these search engines may be sold to third parties, employed for marketing reasons, or utilized in other ways.
Therefore, it is highly recommended to avoid placing trust in suspicious search engines (including searchtonow.com). Users should browse the Internet using Google, Yahoo, Bing, or other reliable search engines.
| Name | searchtonow.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) |
| 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
Shady or fake search engines are often promoted by browser hijackers, which modify the default settings of web browsers, such as the homepage, new tab page, and default search engine. However, some browser-hijacking apps promote these search engines without making any changes to the browser settings.
Typically, users must remove browser hijackers to get rid of these search engines. Sport Engine, Bottle, and Daily Jokes are some examples of browser hijackers.
How did searchtonow.com promoting software install on my computer?
Browser hijacking usually happens when users download apps from deceptive websites, click on misleading ads that execute harmful scripts, or install other software that has browser hijacking as an optional component.
In the last scenario, browser hijacking happens because users do not customize the installation process by selecting "Custom", "Advanced", or similar options. This results in the hijacker being installed (or added) as part of the software.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download applications and files only from reliable sources, such as official websites and verified stores. Avoid using unofficial pages, third-party stores, Peer-to-Peer networks, and third-party downloaders. Check the "Custom", "Advanced", and other settings in downloaders and installers, and deselect any unwanted apps or modifications before downloading and installing software.
Be cautious of ads displayed on suspicious or questionable websites, and never grant permission for them to send notifications. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Searchtonow.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:
▼ 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 searchtonow.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove searchtonow.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove searchtonow.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove searchtonow.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
searchtonow.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 searchtonow.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
searchtonow.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.searchtonow.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 "searchtonow.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 searchtonow.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://searchtonow.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 searchtonow.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 searchtonow.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.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on searchtonow.com 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 searchtonow.com website?
Developers of search engines like searchtonow.com make more money when more people use their engines.
Is visiting searchtonow.com a threat to my privacy?
Search engines such as searchtonow.com can collect a range of information about visitors. Thus, using them can cause issues related to online privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are often promoted and distributed using various tactics, such as browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, fake software updates, untrustworthy pages, and other deceptive methods. Users rarely download and add them on purpose.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner can thoroughly scan your computer and eradicate any existing browser-hijacking applications. It is important to remember that manually removing such applications may not always be effective, as multiple hijackers may be present and designed to reinstall each other.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion