How to remove searchnukes.com from hijacked browsers
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is searchnukes.com?
We have inspected searchnukes.com and found that it is a fake search engine promoted via a browser extension that functions as a browser hijacker. Users should avoid using fake search engines and adding browser hijackers to browsers. Users who encounter searchnukes.com should remove it and the associated extension.
Searchnukes.com overview
Our examination of searchnukes.com has shown that it does not generate search results, making it a fake search engine. After entering a search query, searchnukes.com redirects to bing.com or search.yahoo.com (and possibly other search engines). Bing.com and search.yahoo.com are legitimate search engines. However, sites like searchnukes.com can lead users to untrustworthy search engines.
Dubious search engines should be avoided because they often deliver unreliable and potentially harmful search results. These search engines may lead users to malicious websites or scams. Additionally, they can collect various data (e.g., browsing history, IP addresses, or even sensitive information), compromising user privacy and security.
Furthermore, searchnukes.com is promoted via a browser hijacker (a shady extension) known as SearchNukes. Once added, this extension sets searchnukes.com as the homepage, default search engine, and homepage. Moreover, it is likely that SearcNukes is designed to prevent users from removing it and searchnukes.com from hijacked browsers.
Furthermore, SearchNukes can enable the "Managed by your organization" feature in Chrome browsers. It means that this extension might be capable of adding and removing (or disabling) other extensions, preventing users from accessing specified websites, accessing sensitive information, modifying themes, and more. This can pose serious security and privacy risks.
Overall, having browser hijackers added to browsers can impact the user experience by making it difficult to revert changes and forcing users to interact with dubious search engines. Therefore, users are advised to avoid such extensions and remove them (and their search engines) from browsers if they have already been added.
| Name | searchnukes.com |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | SearchNukes |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | searchnukes.com |
| Detection Names (searchnukes.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (searchnukes.com) | 172.67.161.61 |
| 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. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, fake search engines like searchnukes.com should be avoided due to associated risks (e.g., redirects to untrustworthy search engines and potential exposure to scams and malware). Thus, is essential to use reputable search engines and avoid dubious browser extensions to ensure a safe and trustworthy browsing experience.
Some examples of fake search engines are telixsearch.com, s1search.co, and favoritesearches.com.
How did SearchNukes install on my computer?
Browser hijackers can often be found included in freeware installers. They are mentioned in "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings of these installers. Users end up having their browsers hijacked after finishing installations without rejecting offers to add/install browser hijackers.
Furthermore, browser hijackers can be inadvertently added/installed through deceptive advertisements, fake software updates, and notifications from unreliable sites. Additionally, they may be distributed via peer-to-peer networks, unofficial websites or app stores, and third-party downloaders.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Always download programs from official websites or trusted app stores, and steer clear of sources like peer-to-peer networks and third-party app stores. When installing programs, thoroughly check each installation step and uncheck any additional offers or applications you do not want. Be wary of ads and various pop-ups on shady pages, and do not permit such sites to send you notifications.
Furthermore, regularly scan your system with a reliable antivirus or anti-malware tool and keep all your software up to date to protect against potential threats. If your computer is already infected with SearchNukes, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Searchnukes.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by SearchNukes 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is searchnukes.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall SearchNukes application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove SearchNukes browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove searchnukes.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove searchnukes.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
SearchNukes 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 searchnukes.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
SearchNukes browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove SearchNukes 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 "SearchNukes" 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 "SearchNukes", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.searchnukes.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 "searchnukes.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 searchnukes 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 "SearchNukes", 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 "SearchNukes", remove hxxp://searchnukes.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 searchnukes 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 searchnukes 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 searchnukes.com website?
The revenue generated by the owners of searchnukes.com is directly tied to the number of visitors to the website, as increased traffic means more potential opportunities to earn money.
Is visiting searchnukes.com a threat to my privacy?
The site might collect personal information, browsing habits, and other data, which can be used for targeted advertising or sold to third parties. Also, searchnukes.com might redirect users to unreliable search engines.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Users may unintentionally install or add browser hijackers by not rejecting unwanted offers during software installation. Additionally, hijackers can be added through deceptive ads, fake software updates, unreliable site notifications, peer-to-peer networks, unofficial websites or app stores, and third-party downloaders.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove SearchNukes browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate existing browser-hijacking applications. Manual removal is not always effective, as hijackers (if more than one is present) can be designed to re-install each other. Therefore, it may be necessary to remove all hijackers at once.
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