SearchBetter Adware

What is SearchBetter?

SearchBetter is rogue browser extension developed by Revizer Ltd. This plug-in claims to enhance the Internet browsing experience by allowing users to find lyrics for all music videos on YouTube.

The functionality of SearchBetter may seem legitimate and useful, however, this extension is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP), since it employs a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) to install on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without users' permission.

After successful infiltration, this rogue add-on delivers intrusive online ads such as banners, pop–ups, pop-unders, coupons, price comparison, in-line text, and display ads that may lead to high-risk adware or malware infections.

In addition, users' Internet browsing activity is continually monitored, since SearchBetter collects various software and hardware information that may be personally identifiable. For example: browser type and data (search queries, websites visited, pages viewed, etc.), operating system type, IP addresses, geographic location, and other details.

Be aware that this behavior can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. There are many applications similar to SearchBetter including AllCheapPrice, Breaking News Alert, and Gameo. 

None of these provide any real value to the user. Applications such as SearchBetter are developed to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online ads and sharing collected data with third parties. For these reasons, you are strongly advised to eliminate SearchBetter from your Internet browsers.

Research shows that most of adware is distributed via small programs called 'download clients' on freeware download websites such as softonic.com, soft32.com, download.com, and many others.

Download clients are used by these websites as free services and traffic monetization tools, since they offer installation of promoted (according to the developers, '100% legitimate and virus-free') browser plug-ins together with the chosen free software.

Thus, reckless download and installation of free software risks computer infection with adware or malware. This situation can be avoided by closely inspecting each step of the free software download process and clicking 'Decline' if installation of any additional programs is offered.

Furthermore, all software downloaded from the Internet should be installed using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any hidden applications listed for installation and allow you to decline them. If you have installed SearchBetter, read the removal guide provided and eliminate this adware from your Internet browsers.

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Quick menu:

• What is SearchBetter?
• STEP 1. Uninstall SearchBetter application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove SearchBetter adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove SearchBetter ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by SearchBetter' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove SearchBetter extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

SearchBetter adware 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 "SearchBetter", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove SearchBetter adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, SearchBetter did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your 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 any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchbetter 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 "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchbetter 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 "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with searchbetter 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 searchbetter 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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