"Searchmecenter" is categorized as a browser hijacker and targets all versions of OS.
It is specially developed for hacking internet Browser versions and replacing them with an unidentified search engine.
Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox all falls in its radar.
Continue reading this space for more information about this malware and learn how to remove Search.searchmecenter.com from your system.
What is Search.searchmecenter.com?
Identical to search.search-bee.com, Search.searchmecenter.com is a false search engine.
It is promoted as a legitimate program and claims to provide improved search results and enhance the browsing experience of web users.
Users are advised not to judge it by its initial look, SearchMeCenter is a malicious Browser hijacker program which replaces your web homepage without your consent and continually tracks your browsing activity details.
In most of the cases, it sneaks inside your system alongside freeware and shareware programs and is spread over the internet landscape in a massive amount.
Its main targets
Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox that are running on the OS are the primary focus of Search.searchmecenter.com.
It intends to command these programs and abrogate settings on the browser homepage, new tab, and default search engine.
Once accomplished, all search request of the client is diverted to Search.searchmecenter.com and ads based on the search history and browsing patterns are displayed on the system screen.
Search.searchmecenter.com gets launched every time a user opens a new browser and getting back to the original browser settings is quite impossible.
Why users get redirected to Third party sites?
Post-invasion SearchMeCenter monitors IP address, pages viewed, URL’s visited, along with other crucial personal information and based on these details it starts redirecting your search results to malicious sites filled with sponsored ads and pop-up banners.
The use of such ads is to generate illegal revenue based on Pay-Per-Click technique.
In reality, SearchMeCenter is a fake site and does not add any value to your browsing experience.
Security experts strongly recommend removing Search.searchmecenter.com as soon as possible.
How did Search.searchmecenter.com enter my system?
System vulnerabilities and security gaps are the most used by cybercriminals to distribute SearchMecenter.
There is a massive list of deceptive methods used to spread PC virus, amongst which the most prominent ones are mentioned below:
Blocked Firewall and Security Settings: Active firewall setting and security are essential for system safety. Inactive security setting increases system vulnerabilities and exposes your system to virus attacks.
While installing | updating programs: The networking landscape is full of attractive offers and free software’s. It is usually seen that people use third party links to download utility program online. Malicious malware including SearchMecenter gets inside your PC bundled with such freeware programs.
Outdated Antivirus: Updating your antivirus with the latest security patches ads leaps to the overall safety of your system. Outdated and Expired antivirus programs are not sufficiently armed with 100 % malware detection rate. Always use the latest version to guard your system against all zero-day threats.
Opening unknown emails & attachments: Spam emails are the most notable and widely used method of distributing malicious malware across systems over the net.
Users are advised to thoroughly check the sender's details before accessing any link or attachment included in them.
Not installing the latest updates: Updating your Operating system with the newest software can save you from serious security concerns. It is highly recommended to upgrade the Operating security with all recent Microsoft updates.
Downloading Pirated Software: Pirated software, audio/videos files, music files, and freeware and shareware programs from untrustworthy sources can result in SearchMecenter browser hijacker virus.
Torrent and P2P File Sharing: Torrent and P2P file sharing are other prominent carriers SearchMecenter virus. Sharing of a corrupted file can result in a compromised PC.
In light of the adverse results, it becomes essential to get rid of SearchMecenter as soon as possible.
Invasion by SearchMecenter can degrade your browsing experience and result in a lot of inconvenience and disturbance.
Note* Perform the given steps to Secure your System Now!
"Search.searchmecenter.com" browser hijacker (HARMFUL!!)
STEP 1: Click to Download Malware Crusher
STEP 2: Install Malware Crusher
STEP 3: Scan and Remove all malicious Programs.
Cited below are few of its primary effects:
- The SearchMecenter virus is skilled at disturbing all versions of web-browsers such as Safari, Mozilla, Google Chrome, and IE.
- It can alter the default settings of your web browser along with the search engine.
- Unwanted browser extensions and plugins may also get installed post virus infection.
- After successful invasion, it may also limit user’s access to legitimate websites.
- It makes unwanted changes to your web-browser Homepage.
- It results in a series of annoying ads and pop-ups.
- These ads may redirect you to sponsored web pages promoting third party products to generate traffic and earn illegal revenue.
- It may additionally open backdoor for other malware to enter your PC.
- It may track the browsing history, search pattern and gather online query details, along with personal and non-personal information.
- It can make your system and its web-browser slow by consuming uncontrollable system resources.
- Poor internet connectivity, screen freezing issues, and system crashes are another notable result of SearchMecenter virus.
Caution to be followed by downloading Freeware and Shareware programs online.
Blindly clicking on the download button may result in dire consequences and security breaches.
Often it is seen that people skip reading the License agreement and end up infecting their system.
Reading the "Terms and Conditions" mentioned in the "EULA Agreement" is highly essential for system health and safety.
Furthermore, it is always advised to choose the “Custom and Automatic” installation process if available as it throws sufficient light on all unwanted programs getting with the utility software.
Also, do not forget to uncheck the checkbox for any extension or plug-in getting installed on your system.
Remove Search.SearchMecenter.com from your system- Safari, Firefox, Chrome
Search.SearchMecenter.com is mainly distributed through adware installation and freeware downloads.
It appears legitimate, however once installed it replaces the standard web browser homepage and search engine of your system.
Let’s here take a close look at the manual and automatic process of removal.
Manual Methods
To change Search.SearchMecenter.com homepage.
- To start with, open Safari menu, then click on “Preferences” and then hit the “General” tab.
- Change your Homepage and then remove http://search.searchmecenter.com from your web browser.
- Enter a web-page address you want to set as your homepage in the Homepage field.
Remove SearchMecenter from Safari
- Open Safari Menu, then click on the “Preferences” tab followed by “Extensions.”
- From the extensions window, look out for SearchMecenter, and click on the “Uninstall” button to delete it from Safari.
Remove SearchMecenter from Google Chrome
Resetting Google Chrome settings is a simple task, mentioned below are a few simple steps to do this task.
- One Chrome browser and from the top right corner, click on the chrome menu.
- Next, click on the “Settings” button.
- From the bottom of the window, click “Show advanced settings.”
- Press on “Reset Settings” and from the new box press the “Reset button.”
Delete SearchMecenter from Mozilla Firefox
SearchMecenter changes your web browsers setting without your consent. Follow below-cited steps to reset your Mozilla Firefox browser settings.
- Open the Firefox homepage browser and in the address field, type ”about support” and then hit the enter button.
- Then click on the “Reset Firefox” button.
- In the new Window, click on the “Reset ” button.
- Finally, press the “Done” tab.
**Automated procedure: Highly recommended**
Security experts recommend automated methods over the use of manual processes to get rid of Search.SearchMecenter.com.
- You have noticed the malicious working of SearchMecenter, and never know the new virus is accompanying it. In such cases, the use of automatic methods is always recommended. You may consider using the “Malware Crusher” to get rid of this harmful browser hijacker.
- Fix your system issues effortlessly with “Malware Crusher.”
- As an effective security tool, it scans, detects and deletes all infections and virus from your system. Additionally, it also prevents PC threats from creating copies.
- Highly recommended: “Malware Crusher” is one of the best and most straightforward methods to eliminate malware from your system.
- Download and install Malware Crusher.
- Perform system scan and get rid of SearchMecenter from your system.
