What is Powerful Search?
Powerful Search is a free browser attachment compatible with Google Chrome and other popular Internet Browsers. Once the Powerful Search extension is installed it will replace your existing internet browser settings, causing your browser to redirect to search.powerfulappz.com, search.yahoo.com, and other unwanted web pages.
To make matters worse, the Powerful Search extension might violate your privacy. As you can see below, the extension has permission allowing it to perform tasks that may not be suitable.
- Read and change all your data on the websites you visit
- Display notifications
- Change your search settings to: search.powerfulappz.com
Another concern with the extension is that it is typically advertised on websites that display malicious advertisements and host malware. If you found the Powerful Search extension attached to your browser or have visited a website that advertises the Powerful Search extension, it is likely that your computer was introduced to other threats (such as Movie Quest) that should be eradicated before they cause other complications.
Powerful Search removal steps
Follow the Powerful Search removal steps on this page to remove the Powerful Search extension from Google Chrome and other browsers. The steps will help you remove other malicious threats that can install alongside the Powerful Search extension such as malware, viruses, adware, and spyware.
STEP 1: Remove the browser extension
STEP 2: Scan your computer for malware with Malwarebytes
STEP 3: Clean up and repair settings with CCleaner
STEP 1: Remove the browser extension
Google Chrome
1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon and go to More tools > Extensions.
2. Click the trashcan icon next to the Powerful Search extension to remove it.
STEP 2: Scan your computer for malware with Malwarebytes
1. Open your browser window and download Malwarebytes 3.0 Premium or Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free.
2. Double click the executable file (mb3-setup.exe or other) to begin installing Malwarebytes.
3. In some versions of the installation file you can simply select your language and click Next to install the program; Otherwise, select your language, click Next, then select “I accept the agreement,” click the Next button several times, and then click the Install button to install Malwarebytes. Click Finish once the install process is complete.
4. Open Malwarebytes and click the Scan Now button on the Dashboard to begin scanning your computer.
5. Click the Quarantine Selected button once the scan is finished.
6. If Malwarebytes says “All selected items have been removed successfully. A log file has been saved to the logs folder. Your computer needs to be restarted to complete the removal process. Would you like to restart now?” click the Yes button to restart your computer.
STEP 3: Clean up and repair settings with CCleaner
1. Open your browser window and download CCleaner Professional or CCleaner Free.
2. Double click the executable file (ccsetup.exe or other) to begin installing CCleaner.
3. Click the Install button to begin stalling the program.
4. Click Run CCleaner to open the program when installation is complete.
5. Select the Cleaner tab and click the Analyze button.
6. When the Analyze process is complete click the Run Cleaner button to clean all files.
7. Next, select the Registry tab and click the Scan for Issues button to scan for issues in your registry.
8. When the scan is complete click the Fix selected Issues button and Fix All Selected Issues button to fix the issues.
9. Next, select the Tools tab and click Startup. Examine each area, search for suspicious entries, and delete any suspicious startup entries by selecting the entry and clicking the Delete button.
10. Next, click Browser Plugins and search each internet browser for unwanted browser add-ons and extensions. Click the extension you want to delete and click the Delete button to remove it.
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