How to remove Genius Search (Virus Removal Guide)
What is Genius Search?
Genius Search, also referred to as Genius Search virus, is self-described as a browser extension that “configures your Default Search to Genius Search (searchgeniusapp.com).” The browser extension is similar to Genius App which also shares the same description and functions. Numerous antivirus engines recognize the Genius Search extension as malicious, suspicious, or potentially malicious and it is strongly recommended to remove Genius Search to avoid unnecessary data collection.
The Genius Search extension compatible with Google Chrome has permission to read your browsing history, change your search settings to searchgeniusapp.com, read and change your bookmarks, manage your apps, extensions, and themes, and read and change all your data on the websites you visit.
One of the biggest issues with the Genius Search extension is that it replaces the default internet browser’s default search provider, homepage (start page), and new tab page with a new site such as searchgeniusapp.com. As a result, this causes the infected web browser to redirect to the site when a new browser window is launched, a new tab is opened, or a search is made. It should be noted that this is a method that is commonly employed by malicious browser extensions to track what people search for online and to build a marketing profile based on their online habits.
Users may experience these symptoms when the Genius Search extension is installed:
- Pop-up advertisements
- Pop-up notifications
- Hijacked homepage
- Hijacked search provider
- Hijacked new tab page
- Constant browser redirects
- Suspicious browser extensions installed
- Suspicious programs on your PC
- Slower browsing experience
- Slow and sluggish PC
In addition, the extension and native websites track online browsing habits, internet searches, and other data. This can result in unwanted email spam, junk mail at home, and phone calls from telemarketers and scammers.
How to remove Genius Search (Virus Removal Guide)
Follow the steps to remove the Genius Search extension, viruses, and malware and repair settings using ESET and CCleaner Professional.
Remove Genius Search extension
Scan your computer for malware with ESET Smart Security
Clean up and repair settings with CCleaner Professional
More removal and repair options
Remove Genius Search extension
Google Chrome
- Run Chrome.
- Open the menu and go to More tools > Extensions.
- Locate the extension and click the Remove button.
Mozilla Firefox
- Run Firefox.
- Open the menu and go to Add-ons.
- Locate the extension and click the Remove button.
Scan your computer for malware with ESET Smart Security
1. Download and install ESET Smart Security. *When installing ESET Smart Security, select the option to enable detection of potentially unwanted applications (if applicable).
2. Once ESET Smart Security is installed, open the program and navigate to the Computer scan tab.
ESET Smart Security may automatically update and perform an initial scan. The ‘initial scan’ takes longer to complete than a normal computer or removable media scan. It is recommended to perform a second scan following the initial scan.
3. Click Scan your computer to scan all local disks and clean threats.
Clean up and repair settings with CCleaner Professional
1. Download and install CCleaner Professional.
2. Once CCleaner Professional is installed, open the program and navigate to the Easy Clean tab.
3. Click the Analyze button to find trackers and junk files that CCleaner Professional can remove.
4. When the analysis is complete, click the Clean All button.
5. Next, go to the Registry tab and click the Scan for Issues button.
6. When the scan is complete, click the Fix selected Issues… button.
7. As a precaution, click Yes to back up the registry before making changes to it and save the Reg File (.reg) file to your computer.
8. Click the Fix All Selected Issues button and then click Close once all problems have been removed.
More removal and repair options
ESET Smart Security is one of the top Antivirus and internet security program on the market and CCleaner Professional is arguably the only respected Windows System Utility program; However, in rare cases, even the best Antivirus program can miss small trace files and potential threats.
Perform a second-opinion scan with HitmanPro.Alert
HitmanPro.Alert is a powerful anti-malware program that detects and removes known malicious files, trackers, and registry entries related to viruses, rootkits, trojans, ransomware, adware, worms, spyware, and other malware. What makes HitmanPro.Alert stand out is that it will remove a large sample of malicious or potentially malicious files than most antimalware and antivirus programs.
- Download and install HitmanPro.Alert.
- Once HitmanPro.Alert is installed, open the program and click the Scan Now button.
- When the scan is complete, click the Quarantine Selected button.
