How to remove the "Sqoo search engine" browser hijacker

What kind of software is Sqoo search engine?

Sqoo search engine is the name of an extension that operates as a browser hijacker. This piece of software makes changes to browser settings in order to generate redirects that go through the sharesceral.uno and sqoo.co fake search engines. Additionally, this browser extension spies on users' browsing activity.

Sqoo search engine browser hijacker overview

On our test machine, the Sqoo extension assigned sharesceral.uno as the browser's default search engine, homepage, and new tab/window URL. Therefore, whenever we opened a new browser tab/window or entered a search query into the URL bar – it resulted in redirects to the sharesceral.uno website.

In the latter scenario, sharesceral.uno immediately redirected to sqoo.co – wherein the query was automatically entered into the page's search input field. After the search icon was clicked, sqoo.co redirected to the legitimate Yahoo search engine (search.yahoo.com). Note that redirect chains may differ since factors like user geolocation might impact them.

Fake search engines redirect to genuine Internet search websites, as they are incapable of generating search results. In the rare cases where the fake sites can provide search results – they are inaccurate and include sponsored, deceptive, and malicious content.

Browser-hijacking software commonly uses persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate its removal, thus preventing users from recovering their browsers.

The Sqoo search engine extension has data-tracking functionalities. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, personally identifiable details, account log-in credentials, finance-related data, and so forth. The gathered information can then be shared with or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, software like sharesceral.uno can cause system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even lead to identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Sqoo search engine
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Sqoo search engine
Promoted URL(s)	sharesceral.uno, sqoo.co
Detection Names (sharesceral.uno)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (sharesceral.uno)	23.109.150.205
Detection Names (sqoo.co)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (sqoo.co)	142.91.159.201
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).
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner 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.

Browser hijacker examples

We have analyzed thousands of browser hijackers; Calendar New Tab, Bigoloo, Quotes Srch Tab – are merely a few examples of our latest finds.

Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and offers useful functionalities. The features seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they are utterly nonoperational. It must be mentioned that even if an extension or application works as indicated by its promotional material – that is not a guarantee of legitimacy or safety.

How did Sqoo search engine install on my computer?

Browser hijackers can have "official" promotional sites, and they are endorsed on scam webpages. Most users enter these pages through redirects generated by websites using rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with regular programs. The risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the device is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., free file-hosting and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by rushing through installation processes (e.g., skipping steps/sections, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).

Additionally, browser hijackers are proliferated by intrusive advertisements. Some of these adverts can be triggered (by being clicked) to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software before downloading/installing it. All downloads must be performed from official/verified sources. When installing, it is essential to read terms, explore possible options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all additional apps, extensions, and so forth.

We advise caution while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears legitimate. For example, while intrusive advertisements may look innocuous – they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with such ads/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Sqoo search engine, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Permissions asked by Sqoo search engine browser hijacker:

Appearance of sharesceral.uno redirecting to sqoo.co, then to Yahoo (GIF):

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▼ 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 Sqoo search engine?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Sqoo search engine browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove sharesceral.uno homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove sharesceral.uno redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Sqoo search engine 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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Sqoo search engine 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 "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Sqoo search engine" 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 "Sqoo search engine", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.sharesceral.uno) 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 "sharesceral.uno", 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 sharesceral.uno 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 "Sqoo search engine", 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 "Sqoo search engine", remove hxxp://sharesceral.uno 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 sharesceral.uno 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 sharesceral.uno 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit sharesceral.uno website?

Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) generate revenue through redirects to websites like sharesceral.uno and sqoo.co.

Is visiting sharesceral.uno a threat to my privacy?

Most likely, yes. Sites like sharesceral.uno and sqoo.co typically collect (and sell) information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Most widely used distribution methods include: bundled installers, dubious download sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, third-party app stores, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.), online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Sqoo search engine browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate all browser-hijacking applications present. Note that manual removal (performed without the aid of security tools) might be ineffective, particularly when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the device. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software might deny access to removal-related settings or undo user-made changes. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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