How To Remove The Search Iminent “Search The Web” Hijacker Virus (Search.iminent.com/SearchTheWeb)

What Is The Search Iminent Virus (Search.iminent.com)?

The Search Iminent “Search The Web” virus is adware and spyware categorized as a browser hijacker distributed as freeware that installs directly onto your internet browser browser in the forms of several browser helper objects such as toolbars. The Search Iminent “Search The Web” virus also affect other internet browser settings, causing website search and URL input to redirect to Search.iminent.com/SearchTheWeb, http://search.iminent.com/SearchTheWeb/v4/1033/homepage/Default.aspx, or Iminent.com.

Search Iminent Search The Web Virus

The Search Iminent virus (and browser hijackers in general) are very dangerous, even if they are distributed as freeware and can leave a backdoor for other malware and virus infections. Search Iminent malware is very similar to other browser hijackers distributed as freeware such as My Web Search, MP3 Tube Toolbar, and Browser Seek Toolbar. These malicious programs are provided for free but bundle with malicious third party applications software in which their terms os use state they hold no responsibility for.

Search.iminent.com claims their “Search The Web” search engine and toolbars are realistic and are not malware. These claims are absolutely false. Search Iminent is spyware, Search Iminent infections extract private information and trace internet activity, which they can use for identity theft, credit card schemes, and the lesser effects of adware symptoms.

Iminent Virus

Above is an image of Iminent.com’s homepage. This is a common-looking adware style website, many adware programs similar to Search Iminent have similar homepages.

Search Iminent “Search The Web” Virus Symptoms

  • Search Iminent  intsalls dynamic files such as registry entries and directory files onto infected systems.
  • Search Iminent  may show symptoms of adware programs such as displaying spam advertisements on an infected system.
  • Search Iminent  installs a managed search engine and redirects web searches and URL input on infected internet browsers (Search.iminent.com/SearchTheWeb or Iminent.com).

 

  • Search Iminent  can install a mix of toolbars to infected internet browsers.
Search Iminent Search The Web Toolbars

 

  • Search Iminent  toolbar leaves the backdoor open for dangerous malware, Trojans, and viruses.

Search Iminent Virus Removal Options

Please click an option to automatically scroll to directions (named anchor link).

1. Antivirus/Anti-Malware Software – Scan and remove malware.
2. Remove Internet Browser Extension – Remove add-on, or extension from your infected internet browser.
3. Uninstall Program – Uninstall Search Iminent Search The Web program using the uninstaller (if installed on computer).
4. Manual Removal – Manually remove Search Iminent files.
5. System Restore – Restore your computer to a date and time before infection.

Repair Internet Browser Settings (Optional)

After removal of The Iminent Search Virus is complete if internet browser settings have been affected by the malware such as homepage (start up) and managed search engines please refer to our previous articles concerning hijackers and Search.Iminent.com infections.

The video below shows how to remove a common browser hijacker (in the videos case: Babylon search).


1. Antivirus/Anti-Malware Software


The safest program to remove hijacker malware is Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes has the largest sample rate of malware due to being the top downloaded Anti-Malware application for the past 2 years. Malwarebytes also offers free and paid versions.

2. How To Remove Search Iminent Search The Web Toolbars


Search Iminent Search The Web installs toolbars for most popular internet browsers.  Most of the time, removing the extension(s) will also remove the infection.

Please click an internet browser (below) to automatically scroll to significant directions (named anchor link).

  • Google Chrome
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Apple Safari
  • Google Chrome Extension (CRX):


     Step 1:

      Open Chrome, click on the Settings icon (wrench) and navigate to Tools > Extensions.

    Tools Extensions Google Chrome 
    Step 2:

      Select the Search Iminent Search The Web Toolbar plugin from the list of extensions, and click Uninstall or Disable. (The image below shows a toolbar for another popular form of similar adware, My Web Search)
      Search Iminent Search The Web Google Chrome Extension
    • To search which extensions are currently running on Chrome navigate to Tools > Task Manager

    Mozilla Firefox Extension (XPI):


    Step 1:

      Open Firefox, and navigate to Tools -> Add-ons (Ctrl+Shift+A).

    Tools Addons Firefox
    Step 2:

      Select Extensions and find the particular Search Iminent Search The Web Toolbar extension, and click disable and remove.

      How to block the Iminent.com cookie
        1.From the Tools menu, select Options
        2.In the upper section of the Options window, click Privacy
        3.In the Cookies tab, click Exceptions
        4. In the new Exceptions – Cookies window, enter Iminent.com in the Address of Website field and click Disable.

      Microsoft Internet Explorer:


       Step 1:

      Click the Tools button and then click Manage add-ons.

    Manage Add ons Internet Explorer
     Step 2:

      Under Show, click All add-ons or Toolbars and Extensions. (Depends which IE you use)

     Step 3:

      Select the Search Iminent Search The Web Toolbar plugin from the list of software, and click disable.

      How to block the Iminent.com cookie
        1. From the Tools menu of Internet Explorer, select Internet Options
        2. Select the Privacy tab and then click Sites. The Per site privacy actions window will be displayed
        3. In the Per site privacy actions window, enter Iminent.com in the Address of Web site field
        4. Click Block
      Restricted site option

      Access: Tools(Alt-x) > Internet Options
      Tools Internet Options Internet Explorer
      Select the Security tab and click Restricted sites
      Internet Options Restrict Site IE
      Click the “Sites” button and individually enter: Iminent.com
      Iminent Virus

      Apple Safari Extension:


       Step 1:

      In settings, go to Preferences and click the Extensions tab.

    Preferences Safari
     Step 2:

      Remove/Disable Search Iminent Search The Web Toolbar extension or turn all extensions Off.

    Safari Extensions

    How to block the Iminent.com cookie
      1. Click the general Safari menu icon and select Safari Preferences
      2. Select the Privacy tab, and check: Block cookies: “from third parties and advertisers”

    Block cookies on Apple Safari

    3. Uninstall My Search Toolbar from your computer


     •   Close all open internet browsers
     •   From the “Start” menu in Windows, select “Control Panel”
     •   Select “Add/Remove Programs”
     •   Select “Search Iminent Search The Web Toolbar” and/or other Search Iminent toolbars.
     •   Click “Change/Remove”

    Should you reopen your Web browser and still see any Search Iminent Search The Web toolbars, you may need to restart your computer for the uninstall process to be completed.

    4. How To Manually Remove The Search Iminent Virus


    To manually remove the Search Iminent Search The Web virus, delete the directory files below.

    C:\WINDOWS\system32\sysloc\sysloc.dll
    C:\WINDOWS\ieocx.dll
    C:\windows\ld08.exe
    C:\Documents and Settings\[User]\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\ChkDisk.dll
    C:\DOCUME~1\NETWOR~1\protect.dll
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ONSIO.SYS
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\akpcsc.sys
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\autochk.dll
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\autochk.dll
    C:\DOCUME~1\NETWOR~1\protect.dll
    C:\Documents and Settings\[User]\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\ChkDisk.dll
    C:\windows\ld08.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\ieocx.dll
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\sysloc\sysloc.dll

    Next remove the Application Data files.
    App Data is a hidden folder, to learn how to show hidden files please click here.
    1. Type %AppData% into Window’s Start Menu Search field and press Enter.
    %Appdata%
    2. Remove the files below.

    {39fc2065-c9c7-49cd-8942-44cc2dedc844}
    {2267F93C-600C-420E-A229-3317AADD3951}

    5. System Restore

    Restore your computer to a date and time before infection using Microsoft’s automated restore points. Restoring your computer is the simple way around a Browser Seek infection.
    Windows Recommended Restore And Choose A Restore Point
    There are many ways to restore a Window’s computer. We have written in detail how to perform a system restore here.

  • http://botcrawl.com/how-to-restore-microsoft-windows-vista-microsoft-windows-xp-and-microsoft-windows-7/
  • Sean Doyle

    Sean is a distinguished tech author and entrepreneur with over 20 years of extensive experience in cybersecurity, privacy, malware, Google Analytics, online marketing, and various other tech domains. His expertise and contributions to the industry have been recognized in numerous esteemed publications. Sean is widely acclaimed for his sharp intellect and innovative insights, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in the tech community. His work not only advances the field but also helps businesses and individuals navigate the complexities of the digital world.

    13 Responses

    1. nissim nanach says:

      Umbrella.exe must also be removed, otherwise Iminent will keep coming back.
      To remove it:
      1. Open Task Manager and Kill all instances of Umbrella.exe
      2. Delete the folder Program Files > Common Files > Umbrella

    2. Anonymous says:

      Cnet gave me this piece of crap.

    3. Alex says:

      Got it from Football Manager Genie Scout…in the process of removing. Massive pain in the bum..

    4. Dee says:

      I got this using Pure Radio. Think/hope have got rid. What a nightmare

    5. Dave says:

      I found that removal of Iminent from Firefox was best done by unistalling and re-installing the Firefox program. Internet Explorer on the other hand is not so easy since it is integrated into Windows OS and is difficult to un-install.

    6. Anonymous says:

      GOOGLE CHROME?!

    7. colintron says:

      This one is nasty.

    8. Christina says:

      Thank you so much! I was trying to get rid of Iminent and you saved the day!

    9. SCG says:

      I got this using ThePirateBay. NEVER AGAIN.

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