SearchFoot Ads
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is SearchFoot?
Developed by SuperWeb LLC, SearchFoot is a potentially unwanted application claiming to improve the Internet browsing experience by enabling coupons, comparison shopping, and adding other useful functionality. Although SearchFoot may seem legitimate, users should be aware that it is considered to be adware.
This potentially unwanted add-on uses a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' to install on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome) without users' consent.
Following successful infiltration, SearchFoot monitors users' Internet browsing activity by recording various hardware and software information such as IP addresses, unique identifier numbers, search queries, pages viewed, URLs visited, and other similar information.
Furthermore, this rogue browser plug-in generates various intrusive online advertisement including interstitial, transitional, search, banner, text-link, and full page ads.
Having SearchFoot installed on your computer may lead to serious privacy issues or malware infections. At time of research, SuperWeb LLC has released over one hundred rogue browser add-ons identical to SearchFoot including, for example, Brass Search, CocoChaos, and Mobeema.
This company intentionally releases identical browser plug-ins under different names in order to avoid detection by legitimate anti-virus and anti-spyware programs. None of these extensions add any real value for the user - their purpose is to generate income by the display of intrusive online advertisements.
Most potentially unwanted applications similar to SearchFoot are distributed via 'download managers' within freeware download websites. Most current freeware download websites (including download.com, soft32.com, and softonic.com) use these small programs to monetize their free services.
Download clients offer installation of promoted browser extensions together with the chosen free software, thus, reckless download and installation of freeware often leads to adware infections. This can be prevented by closely inspecting each step during the download of freeware and clicking the 'Decline' button when installation of additional applications is offered.
If you are installing downloaded software, choose the 'Custom' or 'Additional' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal applications listed for stealth installation on your computer and you will be able to decline them.
Users who have already installed SearchFoot and observe "Ads by SearchFoot", "SearchFoot Deals", and "Powered by SearchFoot" advertisements when browsing the Internet, should follow this removal guide to eliminate SearchFoot adware from their Internet browsers.
Deceptive free software installer used in SearchFoot adware distribution:
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 SearchFoot?
- STEP 1. Uninstall SearchFoot application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove SearchFoot add-on from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove SearchFoot plugin from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove SearchFoot extension from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove SearchFoot extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
SearchFoot ads 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 "SearchFoot", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes SearchFoot ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove SearchFoot ads from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "SearchFoot", select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchfoot virus, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate: "SearchFoot", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchfoot virus, 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". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window remove "SearchFoot".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with searchfoot virus 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, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
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 upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchfoot virus, 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:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on searchfoot virus or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
▼ Show Discussion