Removing software causing redirects to search-owl.com

What kind of website is search-owl.com?

Search-owl.com is the address of a fake search engine. Unlike most websites of this kind, it can provide search results, but they are inaccurate and may include deceptive content. Search-owl.com likely collects information about its visitors as well. Typically, fraudulent search engines are promoted (via redirects) by browser hijackers.

How do browser hijackers promote search-owl.com?

In most cases, browser-hijacking software assigns promoted sites as browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new tab/window URLs. Due to these changes, users are forced to visit the newly assigned webpage whenever they enter a search query into the URL bar or open a new browser tab/window.

Additionally, browser hijackers often use persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as preventing access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to stop users from recovering their browsers.

Usually, fake search engines cannot provide search results – so they redirect to legitimate search websites. While search-owl.com can produce search results, they are inaccurate and may include sponsored, unreliable, deceptive, and possibly malicious content.

It is pertinent to mention that search-owl.com has been observed featuring in chains going through search-2go.com before landing on the Bing or Yahoo search engines. Keep in mind that redirection chains may differ depending on the user's geolocation.

Furthermore, illegitimate search engines and browser-hijacking software usually gather sensitive information. Browser hijackers can target the following data: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, and so forth. This valuable data can be monetized via sale to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	search-owl.com browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Detection Names	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	84.17.63.178
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.

Fake search engine examples

We have written about countless fraudulent search engines; guardflares.com, lotus-tab.com, and predatorwallpaper.com are but a couple of our newest articles.

Websites within this classification (much as the software promoting them) often appear legitimate and innocuous. Users may be enticed with promises of various "handy" functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.

Remember that even if a site or an app/extension functions exactly as indicated by its promotional material – that is not definitive proof of legitimacy or safety.

How did search-owl.com promoting software install on my computer?

Browser hijackers are promoted on legitimate-looking download pages and scam websites. They are most commonly accessed via redirects generated by sites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, and adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with ordinary programs. The risk of unintentionally permitting access for bundled content into the device is increased by downloading from untrustworthy channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by approaching installations with negligence (e.g., using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Intrusive adverts proliferate browser hijackers as well. Once clicked on, some of the advertisements can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user permission.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified sources. Installations must be treated with care, e.g., by reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, tools, extensions, and so forth.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing since the Internet is rife with deceptive and malicious content. For example, despite their innocuous appearance – intrusive ads redirect to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with such advertisements/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Appearance of search-owl.com redirecting (via search-2go.com) to the Yahoo search engine (GIF):

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

Search-owl.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 potentially unwanted applications, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Search-owl.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 a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search-owl.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-owl.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-owl.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://search-owl.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-owl.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 search-owl.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.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit search-owl.com website?

Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) generate revenue through redirects to sites like search-owl.com.

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

Most likely, yes. Fake search engines (e.g., search-owl.com, etc.) typically gather and sell visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily distributed via bundled installation setups, deceptive promotional webpages, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, intrusive ads, and spam browser notifications.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove installed browser-hijacking apps. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without security programs) might not be ideal, especially when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these instances, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, removal-related settings might be inaccessible when this software is installed. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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