Searchcounn – What is it?

“Searchcounn” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is spread as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically promoted as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to browse some specific info, for instance, about sporting activity events, make your browser much more safe, enable downloading of any type of video clip, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

However, the “Searchcounn” plugin is pretty pointless because all such functions are already integrated to your web browser and/or Windows. Such advertising and marketing mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. But occasionally even qualified users are getting caught on such an appeal. In certain instances, this hijacker is dispersed along with free tools.

Searchcounn Search Hijacker

How harmful is Searchcounn hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, Searchcounn hijacker is also fairly hazardous for web browser utilization. It transforms your search engine to its particular – Searchcounn.com, and also transforms your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, in some cases, altering it to default with the specified symptom).

Apart from aesthetic modifications done by Searchcounn hijacker, you can observe that many of your search questions are redirecting to the suspicious websites, filled with web links and ads – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can have links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting boosts if you try to open Google search page forcibly.

However all these actions are far more irritating than truly hazardous. The major danger, especially for people who have a considerable amount of secret information in their internet browsers, is installed in information collecting functions. Cookie files, chats, often-visited sites, and other activities are easily collected by Searchcounn hijacker.

How to remove Searchcounn search hijacker?

• Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
• Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
• “Move to quarantine” all items.
• Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
• Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
• Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are typically very simple to remove. For the most part, they have a separate app that can be found in the list of installed programs. As a result of the specific distribution way of Searchcounn hijacker, it can be easily tracked and deleted manually. Nevertheless, if you got Searchcounn in the package with a free program, your PC can be contaminated with much more dangerous malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you use anti-malware tools to remove the Searchcounn PUA and all various other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of detecting and clearing away a wide range of malware, including mentioned hijacker. Nevertheless, severe malware, that might exist on your PC in the mentioned case, can disable the Windows antimalware tool by modifying the Group Policies. To stay clear of such circumstances, it is far better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and eliminate all malicious applications on your personal computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to utilize Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the viruses, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and directories.

You can spectate the detected malware sorted by their possible hazard during the scan process. But to choose any actions against malicious programs, you need to hold on until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

To set the action for every detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious app. By default, all malware will be removed to quarantine.

Reset browser settings to original ones

To revert your browser settings, you need to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be intercepted by any virus, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be located in the Tools tab.

After pressing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be shown, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing Searchcounn hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :

After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

References

1. More information about PUAs
2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender