What is the Searchpig virus (Searchpig.net)?
The Searchpig virus, also referred to as the Search Pig virus, or Searchpig redirect, is malware categorized as a browser hijacker that changes internet browser settings including the home page, default search engine, and browser shortcut of popular intenret browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer. This causes internet browsers to redirect to Searchpig.net when attempting to search the web using the infected browsers address bar and also causes internet browsers to target and start up on the Searchpig search engine. The Searchpig browser hijacker causes many problems for internet users as they can not properly use the internet. Victims of the Searchpig virus report that it is incredibly difficult to remove.
To remove the Searchpig virus and third-party malware from your computer, as well as repair internet browser settings, please use the free Searchpig removal instructions further below.
How does the Searchpig virus infect a computer?
The Searchpig virus primarily infects computer systems via third-party software including freeware, shareware, codex, add-ons, extensions, plugin-ins, and torrents. It has been reported that removing third-party add-ons, extensions, and tool bars has stopped internet browsers from redirecting to Searchpig.net and ultimately removed Searchpig malware.
The Searchpig virus can also be manually and voluntarily installed to computer systems and browser settings can be manually adjusted, but it has been noted that Searchpig.net targets and entraps users to terms they would not likely agree with.
Is Searchpig.net safe?
Searchpig.net is not safe for reasons concerning cyber criminal activity involving credit theft, extortion, and identity theft. Searchpig and related third-parties are known to be extremely evasive, this includes the Searchpig add-on and other forms of software.
Search results displayed by Searchpig.net have been noted to be irrelevant and may lead to suspicious websites that promote unethical software. The image above shows that when searching for the term “botcrawl” sponsored websites are first displayed that may lead to the installment of malware.
How to remove Searchpig malware
- Uninstall Searchpig malware – Use the correct Searchpig malware uninstall procedures (2 options)
- Scan computer for malware – Scan for and remove additional malware infecting your computer
- Automatically repair browser settings – Automatically remove Searchpig browser settings and uninstall Searchpig software
- Manually remove Searchpig. net homepage
- Manually remove Searchpig.net search engine
1. Uninstall Searchpig malware (2 options)
Searchpig has been reported to be difficult to uninstall using normal procedures, therefore two separate instructions to uninstall Searchpig have been detailed.
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 Searchpig and other suspicious third party programs. Uninstall Searchpig and 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 Searchpig browser software if the software has proven to be difficult. CCleaner is notorious for removing similar malware such as Conduit.
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 Searchpig software in the list. To automatically uninstall Searchpig software click Run Uninstaller.
2. 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 Searchpig 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).
3. 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 https://www.Searchpig.net and other websites, such as start.creativetoolbars.com, and third-party domains.
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 “Searchpig” in the title or filename.
4. Manually remove Searchpig.net 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 Searchpig.net from the “Home Page:” field and replace it with your preferred home page URL.
- In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools >Internet Options. Remove Searchpig.net 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 Searchpig.net and replace it with your preferred URL.
5. Manually remove Searchpig.net 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 Searchpig.net 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 Searchpig.net 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 Searchpig.net to remove it as your search engine.
Please note, If www.Searchpig.net 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 Searchpig.net by clicking the X next to it.
Thanks for putting up those tips for getting rid of CouponDropDown.
You sir, are a legend!
graham