SugarSearch Virus

What is SugarSearch?

Developed by SuperWeb LLC, SugarSearch is a rogue browser add-on claiming to enhance users' Internet browsing experience by enabling comparison shopping, coupons, and adding other useful functionality. Although SugarSearch may seem a legitimate browser extension, users should be aware that it is considered to be a potentially unwanted application or adware.

SugarSearch employs a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional applications together with the chosen software) to install on Internet browsers without users' consent.

Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, SugarSearch generates various intrusive online advertisements including transitional, interstitial, text-link, banner, search, and full page ads.

In addition, SugarSearch continually monitors users' Internet browsing activity by recording various information such as IP addresses, unique identifier numbers, search queries entered, URLs visited, pages viewed, and other similar hardware and software information.

This behavior may lead to serious privacy issues, identity theft, or malware infections. At time of research, the developers of this potentially unwanted application (SuperWeb LLC) have released over one hundred rogue browser extensions identical to SugarSearch.

SuperWeb LLC releases identical browser add-ons under different names to avoid detection by legitimate anti-spyware and anti-virus programs. Neither SugarSearch, nor any other of these extensions, add any real value for the user - their purpose is to generate income by the display of intrusive online advertisements.

Most current freeware download websites (including soft32.com, download.com, softonic.com, and many others) use small programs called 'download managers' to monetize their free services. Adware such as  SugarSearch is distributed via download managers, which offer installation of promoted 'legitimate' browser extensions together with the chosen free software.

Thus, careless download and installation of freeware can result in adware infections. To prevent installation of SugarSearch, or other similar adware, pay close attention during the download of freeware and click the 'Decline' button when installation of additional applications is offered.

If you are installing downloaded software, select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any bundled applications attempting stealth installation on your computer and you will be able to decline them.

Users who have installed SugarSearch and observe "Powered by SugarSearch", "SugarSearch Deals", and "Ads by SugarSearch" advertisements when browsing the Internet, should follow this removal guide to eliminate SugarSearch adware from their Internet browsers.

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Quick menu:

• What is SugarSearch?
• STEP 1. Uninstall SugarSearch application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove SugarSearch add-on from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove SugarSearch plugin from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove SugarSearch extension from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove SugarSearch extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

SugarSearch 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 "SugarSearch", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes SugarSearch ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove SugarSearch 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 "SugarSearch", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the sugarsearch ads, 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: "SugarSearch", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the sugarsearch ads, 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 "SugarSearch".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with sugarsearch ads 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 sugarsearch ads, 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.

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