But don’t worry, there’s an easy way to get rid of it. Here’s how: Search Encrypt isn’t your classic type of virus. But it definitely acts like annoying malware, much different from those annoying search engine extensions. In this article, we’ll discuss what Search Encrypt is, how it spreads, what it affects, and more importantly, how to get rid of Search Encrypt.
What Is Search Encrypt?
Search Encrypt claims to be a simple browser extension with a private search engine. On their website, they insist Search Encrypt is not a virus, nor a form of malware. And that’s technically true: the Search Encrypt extension itself doesn’t do anything malicious. It just opens up your device to advertisers that act intrusively. Someone by the name of Privacy Guy also wrote a post on Medium about how Search Encrypt is not a virus. Such articles claim that Search Encrypt is a simple privacy-focused search engine extension that lets you browse the internet completely anonymously. A lot of people beg to differ. They say Search Encrypt is, in fact, malware — more specifically, a browser hijacker. It’s also associated with browser hijackers like Hide My Searches and Encrypted Search, as well as the ill-reputed Wave Browser. So, is Search Encrypt actually unsafe? We decided to settle this debate once and for all.
Is Search Encrypt malware?
Trustworthy cybersecurity and privacy experts note that Search Encrypt may appear safe, but it can actually:
Change your default homepage and search engine Redirect you to shady affiliate websites Display unwanted ads Potentially track search history and other information
Here’s how Search Encrypt is dangerous: their software in itself doesn’t harm your computer. But it displays harmful ads and takes control of your browser. Sometimes, it even installs unwanted programs. And that’s the worrying part since it can install harmful malware or intrusive programs, no matter which browser you use. Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge — they’re all in danger.
How Do Users End Up Downloading Search Encrypt?
Search Encrypt is out in the open — we know who makes it (at least a site that claims to represent Search Encrypt’s creators). It even has a Crunchbase entry and its own site. So why wasn’t it “nuked” out of the internet? Well, because it doesn’t really work that way. Competent online bodies have already taken steps to protect users. For example, it’s been removed from extension stores. But beyond that, there’s little we can do to limit user exposure to this harmful extension. We’re counting on individual responsibility to avoid getting infected with a harmful extension like Search Encrypt. When people aren’t careful, here’s how Search Encrypt usually ends up on their computer:
They install it thinking it’s legitimate software. We don’t blame them, Search Encrypt really presents itself as legitimate. It gets packaged stealthily with other applications you install. When you’re installing software, always untick boxes that try to get your permission to install something on the side. They install a different extension but get catfished. Always check the capitalization, reviews, and permissions for extensions you add to your browser.
How to Know If Search Encrypt Is on Your Computer
If you’re here, you’re probably already struggling with Search Encrypt. But if you’re not sure whether or not it got installed on your computer, here are some telltale signs of its presence:
Search Encrypt shows up in your extension/application list Your browser slows down. A lagging browser or even internet connection is always a sign of trouble, whether it’s Search Encrypt or anything else. Ads popping out of nowhere. If you start seeing banner ads and pop-ups that weren’t there before, it’s highly likely Search Encrypt is on your browser. Being redirected to unwanted pages when clicking links online.
But there’s good news. Getting rid of this browser hijacker is as easy as pressing the “Uninstall Search Encrypt” button. Usually. Let’s get into the details.
How to Remove Search Encrypt From Your Computer
If you know for sure that Search Encrypt has infected your computer, don’t worry. You can get rid of it in a few minutes, whether you use macOS or Windows. You’ll just need to uninstall the application in which Search Encrypt was packaged. Sometimes, that might actually be called “Search Encrypt.” If it’s not, inspect the apps you recently installed. Figure out which one you installed right before the trouble started. With that information, you’re prepared to get rid of it. Here’s what you need to do if you’re on Windows: If you’re on macOS, you’ll need to: But that’s not the end of it. If you want to remove Search Encrypt from your device completely, you’ll also need to clean up any infected files within your browser’s directory. Below, you’ll find guides on how to completely remove Search Encrypt on most browsers, and how to revert any changes the extension may have made.
How to Remove Search Encrypt From Google Chrome
The Chrome browser isn’t your best pick for a reliable and secure gateway to the internet. It has serious security issues and has often been in the headlines for backdoor hacks. If you’re a Google Chrome user, we recommend you change to a different, more secure browser that values your privacy. Take a look at our roundup of the best browsers for privacy to see what’s better. Even Chrome users don’t have to be alarmed by Search Encrypt, however. You can get rid of it by following these steps:
This will reset your settings on Chrome to default, so you will lose any saved data. But it’s the only safe way to get rid of Search Encrypt from your browser and revert any changes it made.
How to Remove Search Encrypt From Firefox
Firefox is a much more secure option than Chrome, but that doesn’t mean it’s 100% safe. If your device was infected with Search Encrypt, and you use Firefox, there’s a strong chance that it latched itself onto the app. To make sure it’s gone from your computer, you’ll need to reset your Firefox settings. Here’s how to do it:
How to Remove Search Encrypt From Safari
Safari is the default browser on Mac, and it’s a tad bit safer than Chrome too. However, it’s still vulnerable to malware. If you already uninstalled Search Encrypt from your Mac, there’s one thing left to do to completely get rid of it.
In the new window, select “Remove all.” This will clear your cache and options on Safari, but it will also remove Search Encrypt completely.
How to Remove Search Encrypt From Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge is Windows’ default browser. Based on Chromium, Edge has come a long way since the days of Internet Explorer, and it’s a very popular and safe choice nowadays. If you accidentally installed Search Encrypt on your Edge browser, you just need to reset your browser to be rid forever of Search Encrypt. Here’s how to do it:
How to Protect Your Computer From Search Encrypt
Search Encrypt is a special type of browser hijacker, in the sense that it puts up quite the show to certify its legitimacy. There are supporting blog posts, articles on Medium, and a dedicated site. All of these sources help Search Encrypt masquerade as legitimate software. It’s not. And learning that is the first step in protecting yourself from harmful extensions like Search Encrypt. If you install one extension on a browser and sync it with other computers, Search Encrypt can easily spread between different devices. To prevent such infections, here are some general rules of thumb to follow to prevent software like Search Encrypt from making its way to your computer:
Protect Yourself From Browser Hijackers!
To be fair to this browser hijacker, we should mention that Search Encrypt is not as damaging as your average virus and malware. It’s “soft malware” if you will. Some might go so far as to say that it’s actually useful. But that doesn’t change the fact that Search Encrypt is a browser hijacker. And it can spell trouble for your device if you’re not careful. If your computer was infected with Search Encrypt, remove it right away using this guide!
