How to remove SearchMe Extension from browsers

What kind of application is SearchMe Extension?

While scrutinizing the SearchMe Extension application, we discovered that it operates as a browser hijacker. Once added, it changes the settings of a browser with the intention of promoting a specific address. In addition to hijacking a browser, SearchMe Extension may gather various information.

SearchMe Extension browser hijacker overview

SearchMe Extension is designed to force users to visit search-me-ext.com when they open a browser or a new tab and enter search queries. To achieve this, SearchMe Extension sets search-me-ext.com as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page in the settings of a hijacked browser.

Once a search query is entered, search-me-ext.com redirects users to bing.com. This indicates that users are directed to Bing, a legitimate search engine, for search results instead of search-me-ext.com. Consequently, search-me-ext.com is categorized as a fake search engine.

Fake search engines cannot be trusted due to several reasons. Firstly, they often employ deceptive tactics to lure users into using their services, such as mimicking the appearance of legitimate search engines. Secondly, these fake search engines may prioritize displaying sponsored or malicious content in search results, compromising the relevance and reliability of the information provided.

Additionally, fake search engines may harvest user data without consent, posing privacy risks to users. Furthermore, they may lead users to malicious pages or scams, increasing the likelihood of security breaches, financial losses, and other issues. Overall, the lack of transparency, reliability, and security measures in fake search engines undermines user trust and poses significant risks to online safety.

Threat Summary:

Name	SearchMe Extension
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	SearchMe Extension
Supposed Functionality	Easier browsing
Promoted URL	search-me-ext.com
Detection Names (search-me-ext.com)	Bfore.Ai PreCrime (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (search-me-ext.com)	172.67.195.160
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. ▼ 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.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the SearchMe Extension app presents notable concerns as it functions as a browser hijacker, altering browser settings to promote specific addresses while potentially collecting user data. Given these findings, users are advised to exercise caution when interacting with such applications and remove them (if added) to safeguard their browsing experience and privacy.

Examples of other apps that function like SearchMe Extension are manager-tab, InstaGameTab, and Local Weather Tab.

How did SearchMe Extension install on my computer?

Browser hijackers often piggyback on other software installations, catching users off guard as they agree to their installation by accepting additional offers during the setup process. This typically happens when users overlook or skip through the installation options without realizing they're agreeing to install extra software.

Moreover, users may inadvertently stumble upon these apps through deceptive advertisements or pop-ups. Additionally, browser hijackers can infiltrate systems via downloads from unreliable sources such as third-party app stores, dubious websites, peer-to-peer networks, or notifications from untrustworthy sources.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Download programs exclusively from reputable sources such as official app stores or websites. During installations, carefully review all prompts and options, ensuring to reject any additional offers. Maintain system security by regularly updating browsers, other installed programs, and operating systems.

Exercise caution when encountering suspicious advertisements, pop-ups, or links, and avoid visiting questionable websites. Additionally, consider employing reputable antivirus or antimalware software to enhance protection against potential threats. If your computer is already infected with SearchMe Extension, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Search-me-ext.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):

Permissions asked by SearchMe Extension browser hijacker:

Website promoting SearchMe Extension browser hijacker:

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 SearchMe Extension?
• STEP 1. Uninstall SearchMe Extension application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove SearchMe Extension browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove search-me-ext.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove search-me-ext.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

SearchMe Extension 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-me-ext.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

SearchMe Extension browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove SearchMe Extension 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 "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "SearchMe Extension" 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 "SearchMe Extension", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search-me-ext.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-me-ext.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-me-ext.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 "SearchMe Extension", 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 "SearchMe Extension", remove hxxp://search-me-ext.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-me-ext.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-me-ext.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.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users visit search-me-ext.com website?

The purpose of forcing users to visit search-me-ext.com is to drive traffic to the website and generate revenue.

Is visiting search-me-ext.com a threat to my privacy?

Visiting search-me-ext.com can pose a threat to your privacy. Fake search engines like search-me-ext.com often collect user data, including browsing habits, search queries, and IP addresses, without consent.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The browser hijacker likely infiltrated your computer through various means, such as bundling with freeware or shareware programs that you downloaded and installed. It may have also been disguised as a legitimate browser extension or toolbar, tricking you into installing it unknowingly. Additionally, clicking on deceptive advertisements or downloading files from unreliable sources could have facilitated the infiltration of the browser hijacker.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove SearchMe Extension browser hijacker?

Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove browser-hijacking applications. Manual removal is not always effective, especially when multiple hijackers are present (and can reinstall each other). Additionally, certain settings may be inaccessible while a hijacker is present, necessitating the removal of all of them simultaneously.

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