Serfsearch.com Redirect

What is serfsearch.com?

SerfSearch is a dubious browser toolbar that supposedly provides users with the 'fastest' search engine currently available. Users who are tricked by these claims often install this browser plug-in believing that it is legitimate and that it improves the Internet browsing experience.

SerfSearch, however, is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and a browser hijacker. The developers often distribute this bogus app together with other software using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of third party applications (mostly rogue) together with the chosen software.

After SerfSearch installs on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, it assigns the default search engine and (in some instances, also the homepage) and new tab URL settings to the serfsearch.com website. Furthermore, this app installs several 'helper objects' - small apps that prevent users from reverting these changes.

Commonly, these apps are bundled with free software downloadable on freeware download websites such as softonic.com, soft32.com, downloads.com, and many others.

These sites enforce use of small 'download programs' (also called 'installers', 'download clients', 'download tools', 'download managers', etc.) to download the desired software. Download programs supposedly 'ease and speed-up the download process', however, their true purpose is described below.

Freeware download websites employ download programs as free services and download monetization tools, since they offer installation of additional programs together with the chosen software. In some cases, PUPs are simply hidden within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' download section.

Applications offered by download programs are presented as 'genuine and virus-free', however, rushing installation risks infiltration by bogus adware or malware-type apps, including SerfSearch.

After infiltration, bogus apps often track users' Internet browsing activity, display intrusive online advertisements, cause unwanted redirects, and diminish computer/browser performance.

Some users may be unaware that rogue applications collect information such as websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, geographic location, language settings, IP addresses, and may even track keyboard and mouse inputs.

Clearly, this type of information might be personally identifiable (for example, containing bank account details), and since it is later shared with third parties (possibly, cyber criminals), having this app installed can result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft.

In addition, the displayed ads and associated browser redirects may lead to untrusted infectious websites, thereby causing further computer infections. You are strongly advised to uninstall the SerfSearch toolbar immediately.

Browser hijacking applications share many similarities. Most offer useful features and are distributed using the bundling method. SerfSearch has similar behavior to Myemailxp.com, 321oyun.com, searchbetter.com, mysearch123.com, and hundreds of other browser hijackers.

They all attempt to trick users by offering useful features, however, rather than providing the functionality promised, they display intrusive ads, cause unwanted redirects, collect personal information, and diminish browsing performance. The purpose of browser hijacking apps is to generate revenue for the developers.

The redirects increase traffic of certain sites (in return for payment), the pay-per-click (PPC) advertising model is used to display adverts, and gathered information is sold to third parties. For these reasons, you should never accept offers to install additional programs together with your chosen software.

If you are continually redirected to serfsearch.com without your consent, the following guide will help you to eliminate this problem.

How did serfsearch.com install on my computer?

The SerfSearch toolbar is commonly distributed using the bundling method, and since many users rush the download/installation processes and skip most of the steps, this method is very effective.

Developers of rogue apps are not concerned with proper discloser of software installation, and in some cases it is not clearly marked in the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' download/installation sections. Most unwanted apps are hidden within these settings, and therefore, users often install them inadvertently.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Closely analyse each step when downloading apps from freeware download websites. Download software from official websites only. Downloaded software should be installed with the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Typical' - this will reveal any third party software listed for installation and allow you to opt-out.

Deceptive free software installer used in SerfSearch browser hijacker distribution:

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Quick menu:

• What is serfsearch.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall serfsearch.com application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove serfsearch.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove serfsearch.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove serfsearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove serfsearch.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Serfsearch.com 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 “Search Toolbar version 1.0.0”, and other recently-installed unrecognised browser plug-ins, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the serfsearch.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Serfsearch.com browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

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 plug-ins select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://serfsearch.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "SerfSearch".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the serfsearch.com browser hijacker, 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 any recently-installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, click "set pages", hover your mouse over hxxp://serfsearch.com and click the x symbol. Now, you can add your preferred website as your homepage.

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" section, click "Manage Search Engines...", remove "SerfSearch" and add or select your preferred domain.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the serfsearch.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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove "Set Search Engine".

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://serfsearch.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 "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "serfsearch"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with serfsearch.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 serfsearch.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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