How to remove searchingdb.com from your browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is searchingdb.com?
During our investigation, we discovered that searchingdb.com acts as an intermediary in redirection chains utilized by browser hijackers. Therefore, if users experience redirects to and from searchingdb.com, it is likely that an untrustworthy extension has hijacked their browsers.
How do browser hijackers promote searchingdb.com?
Browser hijackers are unwanted software programs designed to alter the settings of a web browser without the user's consent and (or) awareness. They often redirect users to unwanted websites, mostly fake search engines. Also, they often use addresses like searchingdb.com in their redirection chain.
One of the browser hijackers known for promoting a fake search engine and involving redirecting users through searchingdb.com is Dragon Search Solutions. In this scenario, users are redirected from dragonboss.solutions to searchingdb.com, and subsequently to bing.com. It is worth noting that browser hijackers are notorious for gathering various data.
This data gathering often includes browsing history, search queries, website visits, clicked links, IP addresses, geolocation data, and sometimes even personal information such as usernames, passwords, and email addresses. This information is then typically used for targeted advertising purposes or sold to third-party advertisers and marketers without the user's consent.
In worse scenarios, the data collected by browser hijackers can be exploited for more malicious activities such as identity theft, fraud, or phishing attacks. Therefore, the presence of browser hijackers on a system not only compromises user privacy but also poses significant security risks.
Users who encounter searchingdb.com and have a browser hijacker added to their browser should start a removal process as soon as possible.
| Name | searchingdb.com browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Functionality | Intermediary in redirection chains |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Detection Names | Gridinsoft (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 52.84.52.58 |
| 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), dubious websites, and similar channels. |
| 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 typically alter browser settings to promote unwanted websites (e.g., fake search engines). Additionally, they may degrade browsing performance, cause browser crashes, and compromise user privacy and security.
Browser hijackers should be promptly identified and removed to mitigate potential risks. More examples of apps classified as browser hijackers are CleanHub Tabs, City Weather Forecast Hub, and A Quote A Day.
How did searchingdb.com promoting software install on my computer?
Browser hijackers often find their way onto users' systems through various channels. One common avenue is during the installation of free software, where users inadvertently agree to install them by overlooking or failing to deselect optional offers (change the provided options/settings) presented during the installation process.
Additionally, deceptive online advertisements or pop-ups can lead users to download and install (or add) these apps. Furthermore, users may inadvertently add or install browser hijackers when downloading software from third-party app stores, peer-to-peer networks, unofficial websites, or other unreliable sources.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Obtain software only from reputable sources such as official websites or authorized app stores to minimize the risk of bundled browser hijackers. During software installation, opt for "Custom" or "Advanced" settings to deselect additional software that may include browser hijackers. Regularly update operating systems, web browsers, and security software.
Be wary of clicking on suspicious advertisements, pop-ups, or download links, especially those that appear urgent or overly enticing. Employ reputable antivirus or anti-malware software to have more protection against browser hijackers and other unwanted apps. Regularly review installed extensions and remove any suspicious or unnecessary ones.
If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
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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Quick menu:
- What is searchingdb.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove searchingdb.com promoting browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove searchingdb.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove searchingdb.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
searchingdb.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 unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the searchingdb.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
searchingdb.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 "Extensions" and click "Manage 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 the unwanted URL (hxxp://www.searchingdb.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 "searchingdb.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 searchingdb.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://searchingdb.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 searchingdb.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 searchingdb.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:
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit searchingdb.com website?
The purpose of forcing users to visit the searchingdb.com website is to redirect them through intermediary domains as part of a browser hijacking scheme. This redirection process may lead users to potentially malicious websites or unwanted web pages that promote dubious products or services, generate ad revenue for the hijackers, or collect personal information for nefarious purposes.
Is visiting searchingdb.com a threat to my privacy?
Visiting searchingdb.com itself may not pose an immediate threat to your privacy. However, if searchingdb.com is associated with a browser hijacking scheme or redirects users to malicious websites, it could indirectly compromise your privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
It is probable that a browser hijacker found its way onto your computer through various channels such as bundled software, deceptive advertisements, third-party app stores, peer-to-peer networks, or third-party downloaders. Browser hijackers commonly exploit these avenues to gain unauthorized access to users' systems and manipulate their browsing experience.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner conducts thorough scans of computers to detect and eliminate browser-hijacking applications. While manual removal methods may fall short, particularly when dealing with multiple hijackers that can reinstall each other, Combo Cleaner offers a comprehensive solution by simultaneously eradicating unwanted apps.
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