The SearchAssist.net virus (also known as the SearchAssist.me virus) is terminology used to identify a questionable website primarily promoted through various potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and browser attachments. Once a program used to promote SearchAssist.net is installed or attached to an affected internet browsers users may notice that their homepage and other browser settings have changed or become corrupted. That is because programs used to promote the questionable search engine will obtain permissions allowing them to do so. These programs and applications are known as browser hijackers because they hijack internet browser settings, causing unwanted browser redirects and other complications.

The SearchAssist.net redirect virus (although not technically defined as a computer virus) will occur after a user has contracted unwanted programs, malware, and other malicious files. These programs and objects are usually promoted through sneaky advertisements, media files, such as torrents, and download managers.

In many cases, programs used to promote the SearchAssist.net redirect will bundle with other unwanted items, including adware used to access and gather user browsing data for a plethora of marketing purposes. This may cause unauthorized pop-up advertisements, spam mail, and more. It will likely be necessary to uninstall additional programs and remove additional browser add-ons and extensions if your internet browser is redirecting to SearchAssist.net or similar websites.

Step 1: Scan your computer for malware

1. We highly recommend writing down the toll free number below in case you run into any issues or problems while following the instructions. Our techs will kindly assist you with any problems.

2. Install the free or full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. The full version enables real-time protection to block malware and unwanted programs from infecting your computer, while the free version is just a free scan and removal tool.

3. Once Malwarebytes is installed, run the Anti-Malware program. Malwarebytes may automatically begin to update and scan your computer at this point.

4. Once Malwarebytes has been opened, if a scan or update has not automatically initiated, please click the large Scan Now button or visit the “Scan” tab to manually run a scan. Before the scan is started Malwarebytes may ask to update the software, make sure to do so if prompted to.

5. Once the scan is complete, click the Quarantine All button to isolate and remove the detected files. You may be asked to reboot your computer after removal to completely remove detected files.

6. You can chose to visit the History tab and click Delete All to remove these files from the Quarantine log, although these files no longer provide a threat.

Step 2: Clean up and repair settings

1. Install the free or full version of CCleaner by Piriform.

2. Once installed, open the program and navigate to Cleaner and click the Analyze button. Afterwards, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface. This will clean up unnecessary junk that may have been introduced to your computer.

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 you do not recognize is found. This will help you locate and remove unwanted browser attachments and repair other settings.

Step 3: Manually uninstall SearchAssist.net

1. Access Windows Start Menu and navigate to the Control Panel (on Windows 8, right click the bottom left corner to access the Windows 8 Start Menu).

2. Click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program.

3. In the list of installed programs search for SearchAssist.net (or similar). Once the program is located, double click it or select the program in the list and click the Uninstall button.

Step 4: Manually remove browser attachments

Google Chrome

1. Click on the Customize icon (wrench or 3 bar icon) next to the address bar and navigate to More tools > Extensions.

2. Search for the SearchAssist.net extension and remove it by clicking the trashcan icon next to it.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Type Ctrl+Shift+A.

2. On the Extensions and Plugin search for the SearchAssist.net 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 SearchAssist.net add-on, click it, and click the Remove button.

Step 5: Remove searchassist.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 SearchAssist.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 SearchAssist.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 SearchAssist.net  search engine to remove it.

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

Step 6: Remove SearchAssist.net from 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 SearchAssist.net.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 SearchAssist.net.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 SearchAssist.net.com and replace it with your preferred homepage URL.