| Name(s) | Detection | Threat Level |
|---|---|---|
| Search Incognito, Search Incognito virus | Adware, PUP | 65 / 100 REMOVE IMMEDIATELY! |
Search Incognito
Search Incognito is a deceptive browser extension for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Apple Safari that is recognized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and adware by reputable security sources. Once the Search Incognito extension is installed it will replace your homepage, new tab page, and default search engine with searchincognito.com or another landing page. The extension can also generate pop-up advertisements while you browse the web, change and control additional browser settings, and collect information about your browsing activities and the things you search for online.
The Search Incognito extension for Google Chrome has a lot of permissions set allowing it to perform many tasks that potential users may find undesirable. The extension has more intrusive permissions than any other extension I have ever witnessed in all my years in the security industry. The extension has permission to read and change your browsing history, read and change all your data on the websites you visit, manage your downloads, change your settings that control websites’ access to features such as cookies, JavaScript, plugins, geolocation, microphone, camera, etc, mange your apps, extensions, and themes, and change your privacy-related settings. These permissions override and dismiss the claims that this browser extension can help you remain incognito.
Furthermore, the extension fails to clarify in permissions and advertisements that it will change your search settings to searchincognito.com. The extension will cause affected web browsers to start up on and redirect to searchincognito.com when a new browser window is opened, a new tab is opened, or a search is performed in the address bar.
The Search Incognito extension is usually promoted using deceptive marketing tactics on websites that primarily contain illegal or potentially illegal content. The image above shows the provocative advertisement on a torrenting website. It is very uncommon for legitimate programs and browser attachments to utilize these types of advertising platforms in these locations.
Common Symptoms
- Advertisements inside the web browser
- Browser redirects to sponsored webpages
- Decreased computer funtionality
- Decreased internet performance
Search Incognito Removal Guide
Follow the steps in this Search Incognito removal guide to remove the Search Incognito extension, malware, and other threats to stop browser redirects to Search Incognito websites.
- Scan your computer with Malwarebytes
- Scan your computer with HitmanPro
- Uninstall Search Incognito and unwanted programs
- Remove Search Incognito and unwanted browser add-ons
- Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner
1. Scan your computer with Malwarebytes
1. Download and Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
2. Open Malwarebytes and click the Scan Now button – or go to the Scan tab and click the Start Scan button.
3. Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete click the Remove Selected button.
4. To finish the Malwarebytes scan and remove detected threats click the Finish button and restart your computer if promoted to do so.
2. Scan your computer with HitmanPro
1. Download and Install HitmanPro by Surfright.
2. Open HitmanPro and click Next to start scanning your computer. *If you are using the free version you may chose to create a copy or perform a one-time scan.
3. Once the HitmanPro scan is complete click the Next button.
4. To activate the free version of HitmanPro: enter your email address twice and click the Activate button.
5. Click the Reboot button.
3. Uninstall Search Incognito and unwanted programs
1. Open Windows Start Menu and go to the Control Panel.
2. In the Programs section click Uninstall a program. In earlier versions of Windows this is listed as “Add and remove programs.”
3. Search for Search Incognito in the list and double click Search Incognito to uninstall Search Incognito.
4. Once you have uninstalled Search Incognito search for other unwanted programs that may be installed on your computer and uninstall them as well.
4. Remove Search Incognito and unwanted browser add-ons
Google Chrome
1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon and go to More tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the unwanted extension in the list and click the trashcan icon.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Open the Menu and click Add-ons.
2. Search for the unwanted add-on and click Remove.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Go to Tools (Alt+X) and click Manage add-ons.
2. Search for the unwanted add-on in the list, select it with your mouse, and click Remove.
Apple Safari
1. Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions.
2. Search for the unwanted extension in the list and click the Uninstall button.
5. Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner
1. Download and Install CCleaner by Piriform.
2. Open CCleaner and go to the main Cleaner screen. Click the Analyze button. When the process is complete, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.
3. Go to Tools > Startup and search for suspicious entries in each tab starting from Windows all the way to Content Menu. If you find anything suspicious click it and click the Delete button to remove it.
4. Go to the Registry window and click the Scan for Issues button. When the scan is complete click the Fix selected issues… button and click Fix All Selected Issues.
how do you do this in linux mint?
malware malbyte has a tool called “anti Exploit” thats excellent to prevent this, download it and it runs in the background to prevent add ons and its excellent, already stopped 3 attacks where pages tried to get me to pay to unlock my computer and i just restrted computer and “Anti exploit” removed it , but I also used SuperAntispyware FIRST to clean computer then restarted it , so you must download SuperspyWare
I have all of these programs (Malwarebytes, HitmanPro, CCleaner–also ESET NOD32 Antivirus and AdwCleaner), but none of them detect Download Open Software or Search Incognito when I run them. The extension doesn’t show up in any browser settings. And yet the tab pops up every time a legitimate tab elsewhere should open. What gives?