How to remove searchmenow.gg from your browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is searchmenow.gg?
While testing searchmenow.gg, we found that it is a shady search engine. Our team discovered searchmenow.gg after adding a browser hijacker to a web browser. It is important to note that applications intended to promote searchmenow.gg can incorporate the "Managed by your organization" feature into Chrome browsers.
Searchmenow.gg overview
The search results displayed by searchmenow.gg should not be trusted due to several reasons. Firstly, searchmenow.gg is categorized as a shady search engine, indicating that its reliability and credibility are questionable. This raises concerns about the accuracy and relevance of the search results it provides.
Additionally, searchmenow.gg is associated with browser hijackers (e.g., a browser hijacker named "Apps"), which are known to modify browser settings without the user's consent. Such unauthorized modifications can lead to altered search results, potentially promoting suspicious or misleading websites. This compromises the integrity and trustworthiness of the search engine's results.
Considering these factors, it is advisable to exercise caution and avoid relying on search results from searchmenow.gg, as they may not provide accurate, unbiased, or trustworthy information. It is worth noting that users are directed to searchmenow.gg via searchesmia.com.
| Name | Apps |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Apps and other browser hijackers |
| Supposed Functionality | Accurate search results |
| Promoted URL | searchmenow.gg |
| Detection Names (searchmenow.gg) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (searchmenow.gg) | 104.21.81.137 |
| 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. |
More about browser hijackers
Browser hijackers typically change the affected web browser's default search engine, homepage, and new tab settings. They may also modify browser shortcuts or install extensions without the user's permission. Removing browser hijackers can be challenging as they often employ techniques to resist uninstallation, such as reinstalling themselves or restoring modified settings.
Examples of apps designed to hijack web browsers are The Nature Art, Plantastic Tab, and Mountains Tab.
How did a browser hijacker install on my computer?
Browser hijackers can be unintentionally added or installed by users through various means, such as downloading and installing software from untrustworthy sources, interacting with deceptive advertisements or pop-ups, visiting compromised websites, or accepting bundled software installations without carefully reviewing the terms and conditions.
Frequently, users grant permission for browser hijackers to install or add without realizing it, either by not paying attention during the installation process or by clicking on misleading prompts.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Take caution when downloading and installing software, ensuring you obtain it from reputable sources. Keep your operating system, web browsers, and security software updated to address possible vulnerabilities. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or advertisements and visiting untrusted websites.
When downloading and installing applications, carefully examine downloaders and installers for any unwanted apps, and be sure to unselect them before proceeding. If your computer is already infected with Apps, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Searchesmia.com redirects to searchmenow.gg (GIF):
Rogue app related to searchmenow.gg requests access:
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 Apps?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Apps application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Apps browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove searchmenow.gg homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove searchmenow.gg redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Apps 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 searchmenow.gg website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Apps browser hijacker 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 "Apps" 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 "Apps", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.searchmenow.gg) 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 "searchmenow.gg", 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 searchmenow.gg 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 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 "Apps", 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 "Apps", remove hxxp://searchmenow.gg 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 searchmenow.gg 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 searchmenow.gg 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 searchmenow.gg website?
The purpose of forcing users to visit the searchmenow.gg website is to promote the search engine and increase its usage. By redirecting users to this website, browser hijackers aim to generate traffic and potentially earn revenue through advertising or other means.
Is visiting searchmenow.gg a threat to my privacy?
Visiting searchmenow.gg itself may not necessarily pose an immediate threat to your privacy. However, it is important to note that browser hijackers, including those associated with searchmenow.gg, often collect user data and track browsing activities to gather information about users' preferences and behaviors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers can infiltrate computers through deceptive software bundling, malicious email attachments, fake software updates, compromised websites, or misleading ads.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner can scan your computer and remove browser-hijacking applications that are detected. However, manual removal without security software may not be fully effective, especially when dealing with multiple hijackers. Removing one hijacker may result in others reinstalling it.
Outstanding!
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