Searchbunnie virus (Searchbunnie.com)
The Searchbunnie virus is a term for potential malware categorized as a browser hijacker that primarily intrudes a computer system without consent in order to corrupt internet browser settings including the home page and default, managed, and provided search engine. In turn, Searchbunnie causes Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer to start up on and redirect to searchbunnie.com and other non-beneficial webpages.
Searchbunnie installs alongside or inside third-party items and malware associated with the unethical search website as an add-on, browser helper object, and extension. Third-party malware associated with Searchbunnie malware have been reported to include users to marketing and mailing lists without user consent. Victims have complained of excessive email spam, junk mail, and telephone calls from telemarketers. Cyber crimes relating to the search engine are relative to the invasion of privacy and include credit theft, extortion, and identity theft.
Searchbunnie.com is not a realistic search engine that shows relevant results. Searchbunnie.com only displays paid for results, sponsored links, and advertisements that are mostly off topic to the actual search or even the internet user’s browser history. Search results displayed on Searchbunnie.com have been reported to contain malicious payloads and promote unethical websites and software including fraudulent Microsoft Windows security software (scareware).
Hows does the Searchbunnie redirect infect a computer?
Searchbunnie is primarily contracted via third-party downloadable content such as freeware and shareware. If you recently downloaded free online content, chances are in order to monetize the free product, the developer or distributor such as download.com included the Searchbunnie redirect.
How to remove Searchbunnie malware
- Uninstall unwanted software – Use the correct procedures to uninstall software relating to the www.searchbunnie.com redirect (from 2 options)
- Remove unwanted browser attachments – Remove browser add-ons and extensions
- Scan computer for malware – Scan for and remove malware infecting your computer system
- Automatically repair browser settings – Automatically remove hijacked www.searchbunnie.com settings and automatically uninstall unwanted software
- Manually remove www.searchbunnie.com homepage
- Manually remove www.searchbunnie.com search engine
1. Uninstall unwanted software (2 options)
Option 1: Windows Uninstall (Manual Uninstall)
1. Access Windows Start Menu and navigate to the Control Panel.
2. Click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program (depending on your version of Windows).
3. In the list of installed programs search for unwanted third party software (or programs you recently installed). Uninstall any unwanted software by double clicking the program’s icon, or highlight the program in the list and click the Uninstall button/tab.
Option 2: CCleaner by Piriform (Automated Uninstall)
CCleaner by Piriform
CCleaner can be used to uninstall stubborn software and software used to promote browser hijackers.
1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform and run the program.
2. Once installed, navigate to Tools > Uninstall tab and locate unwanted software in the list. To automatically uninstall the found software click Run Uninstaller.
2. Remove unwanted browser attachments
If necessary after uninstalling unwanted software, you may need to remove a browser add-on or extension such as Dale Toolbar. Please note, it may be necessary to remove multiple third-party titles.
Google Chrome
1. Click on the Customize icon (wrench or 3 bar icon) next to the address bar and navigate to Tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the extension and remove it by clicking the trashcan icon next to them.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Type Ctrl+Shift+A.
2. On the Extensions and Plugin search for the add-on and remove it.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.
2. On the Toolbars and Extensions tab search for the add-on and remove it if located.
3. Scan computer for malware (Automated removal)
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can be used to detect and remove additional and/or third-party malware from your computer system, including malware that may be responsible for symptoms of the Searchbunnie redirect virus.
1. Install the free or paid version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
2. Once Malwarebytes is installed, run the program. If you are using the free version of Malwarebytes you will be prompted to update the database, please do so.
3. Open the first tab labeled “Scanner” and select the Perform full scan option. Click the Scan button to perform a full system scan. Malwarebytes will automatically detect malware infecting your computer system.
4. Once the full system scan is complete, Malwarebytes may prompt a message stating malicious objects were detected. Select the malicious objects and click the Remove Selected button to completely remove the malicious files from your computer (the image below shows a file that is NOT selected).
4. Automatically repair browser settings (Automated repair)
CCleaner by Piriform
CCleaner can also be used to repair internet browser settings and stop your browser from redirecting to http://www.searchbunnie.com/ and other unwanted search engines.
1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform and run the program.
2. Once installed, run the program and navigate to Cleaner > Windows/Applications and click the Analyze button. Afterwards, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.
3. Next, navigate to Tools > Startup and search through each tab starting from windows, internet explorer, etc., all the way to Content Menu, for additional suspicious entries and click Disable and Delete once anything is found. Look for anything that may be suspicious or contain “search” in the title or filename.
5. Manually remove www.searchbunnie.com homepage
- In Mozilla Firefox navigate to Tools > Options or click Firefox in the top left corner and click Options > Options. Under the General tab remove www.searchbunnie.com from the “Home Page:” field and replace it with your preferred home page URL.
- In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools >Internet Options. Remove www.searchbunnie.com from the Home Page field and replace it with your preferred URL.
- In Google Chrome click the customize icon (wrench or 3 bars) and navigate to Settings.Click “Set pages” under the On startup option. Remove www.searchbunnie.com and replace it with your preferred URL.
6. Manually remove www.searchbunnie.com search engine
- In Mozilla Firefox, click the small search magnify glass near the search box (not url/search field) and click “Manage Search Engines…”. Remove the www.searchbunnie.com search engine from the list of search providers by highlighting the selections and clicking remove.
- In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools > Manage Add Ons > Search Providers and remove the www.searchbunnie.com search engine from the list.
- In Google Chrome, click the customize icon (wrench or 3 bars) and navigate to Settings > Manage search engines… click the X next to www.searchbunnie.com to remove it as your search engine.
Please note, If http://www.searchbunnie.com is set as Google Chrome’s default search engine, add (or select) a new search engine (such as Google.com) and select the new search engine as the default search engine, then remove www.searchbunnie.com by clicking the X next to it.
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