MegaSearch virus – Megasearch.com

The MegaSearch virus (also found as Mega Search or megasearch) is a term used to describe potentially dangerous malware categorized as a browser hijacker and spyware that causes many problems for computer and internet users relating to user privacy and computer and internet browser functionality. The MegaSearch hijacker and third-party malware used to promote the search engine installs to a Microsoft Windows PC and attaches to Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer as an add-on, browser helper object (BHO), and extension with or without user consent. Once installed the MegaSearch hijacker or additional malware utilized to promote the questionable search engine begins to transform existing internet browser settings including the home page and default search engine as well as Microsoft Windows start up settings. In turn this causes unwanted browser redirects to megasearch.com and other unwanted websites. This also causes affected browsers to start up on megasearch.com upon opening a new browser tab or window.

MegaSearch spyware and related malware unethically collect and distribute sensitive user data in which they claim is not sensitive including your full name, phone number, home address, browser activity, and more. Information collected may be used to submit users to marketing and mailing lists without consent; however on a more severe scale, information is rarely used in cyber crimes and scams including credit theft, extortion, and identity theft. Details on their privacy policy are listed below:

We partner with a limited number of third party behavioral advertising companies. In some cases, these companies serve ads and/or collect certain information when you visit the Web Site. The Web Site and third party advertisers may use cookies, a small file containing a string of characters that is sent to your computer when you visit a website, to collect non-personal information (name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements of interest to you on the Web Site, other sites, and other forms of media.

As you can see the claim that your name, address, email address, and telephone number is non-personal is an obvious red flag. This unethical search engine should be avoided.

Search results displayed and promoted by Megasearch.com are completely irrelevant or targeted by use of collected data to persuade victims to click suspicious links or visit suspicious websites.

Aside from common browser symptoms, MegaSearch malware may produce third-party banner advertisements, pop-up advertisements, pop-under advertisements, in-text advertisements, offer-ware, and more. A similar title for Mega Search adware includes adware.win32.megasearch.aa and Browse22Save.

How does Megasearch get onto a computer?

The MegaSearch redirect can be contracted by software and browser attachments that often bundle with downloadable content such as freeware, shareware, codecs, and torrents. In some cases user are given the opportunity to accept or decline an offer to install software used to change internet browser settings and redirect users to the Mega Search search engine during the installation process of third-party software including Scour Toolbar and others.

 

1. Uninstall MegaSearch 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 MegaSearch, Browse22Save, and unwanted third party software (including 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 the MegaSearch browser hijacker.

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 MegaSearch Toolbar

If necessary after uninstalling unwanted software, you may need to remove a browser add-on or extension. 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 MegaSearch 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 MegaSearch 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 MegaSearch add-on and remove it if located.

3. Automatically remove MegaSearch malware

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can be used to detect and remove MegaSearch and/or third-party malware from your computer system.

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 MegaSearch 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 “mega or search” in the title or filename.

5. Manually remove megasearch.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 megasearch.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 megasearch.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 megasearch.com and replace it with your preferred URL.

6. Manually remove megasearch.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 megasearch.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 megasearch.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 the megasearch.com search engine to remove it.

Please note, If http://www.megasearch.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 unwanted search engine by clicking the X next to it.

Related links:

• How to remove Entrusted Toolbar (hijacker)
• How to remove Coupon Drop Down (adware)
• Get Anti-malware, Antivirus, and Cleaning & Optimization software