How to remove SwiftSearch (Virus Removal Guide)

SwiftSearch (also called SwiftSearch virus, Swift Search) is the title of an adware program and browser attachment that injects the webpages you visit with pop-up and underlined hyperlinked advertisements. Ads generated by SwiftSearch adware are ‘targeted’ advertisements and will often say “Ads by SwiftSearch” somewhere on them. Targeted advertisements are a privacy concern because the adware will need to access user browsing data in order to produce them.

If you notice pop-up ads by SwiftSearch while browsing the web, your computer is infected with adware. The adware may arrive as a program, inside a third-party program, or be directed through various browser attachments. But that’s not all. This adware is also known to bundle alongside other unwanted programs and malware.

SwiftSearch adware and the additional programs that it bundles with manufacture new tasks and change existing Windows start-up settings in order to run every time the operating system starts and remain enabled if disabled by the user. Programs and browser attachments that may arrive with this deceptive piece of adware can also cause other issues for computer and internet users aside from pop-up advertisements, including browser redirections and a loss in computer functionality and internet connectivity.

Even though the SwiftSearch virus is not technically defined as a computer virus or malicious parasite, the unwanted program is still a threat or the sign of a very severe computer infection. Since SwiftSearch is known to download and install alongside third-party malware, malicious files, and additional potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), including browser hijackers like Jogostempo.com, it will be necessary to uninstall multiple programs and remove multiple browser objects in order to stop all unwanted activities caused by this program and others from occurring. Apart from manually eradicating the program and others that it bundles with, files may remain undetected to the average computer user. That is why the professional internet security community recommends to use a reputable anti-malware product to remove SwiftSearch and malicious files that it may bundle with.

How did SwiftSearch get on my computer?

SwiftSearch adware and the programs and potential threats that it bundles with are usually contracted without user consent alongside freeware, shareware, torrent files, and other downloadable content.

Computer and internet users who seek to download and install free items online may be presented with an opportunity to accept or decline a custom offer to install SwiftSearch adware and other programs. However, the request to decline SwiftSearch from installing is often presented in a very deceptive manner, which can make it confusing for a computer user. In some cases, the download manager may completely ignore the user request to decline SwiftSearch from installing and the adware will install against user consent and knowledge.

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• SwiftSearch can read and change all your data on the websites you visit and read and change your browsing history.
• SwiftSearch can manage your apps, extensions, downloads, and themes.
• SwiftSearch bundles with other potentially unwanted programs and malware.
• SwiftSearch is usually packed inside installers and downloaders from websites such as Cnet (download.com), Softonic, and others.
• SwiftSearch injects visited webpages with pop-up and in-text advertisements.
• SwiftSearch makes unwanted changes to existing Windows settings and schedules new tasks which allow it to run every time Windows starts and check to see if the program has been disabled. If the program is disabled it will enable itself.

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How to remove SwiftSearch (Removal Guide)

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• Step 1: Remove SwiftSearch extensions
• Step 2: Uninstall SwiftSearch from Windows
• Step 3: Remove SwiftSearch virus with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
• Step 4: Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner by Piriform
  

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Step 1: Remove SwiftSearch extensions

Google Chrome

1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon on the top menu and navigate to More tools > Extensions.

2. Search for the SwiftSearch extension in the list. Remove unwanted browser extensions individually by clicking the trashcan icon next to each one.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Type Ctrl+Shift+A.

2. Search for the SwiftSearch add-ons on the Extensions and Plugin tab. Highlight each one individually and click remove.

Apple Safari

1. Click Safari and go to Preferences > Extensions.

2.  Find the SwiftSearch extension in the list and click the Uninstall button.

Step 2: Uninstall SwiftSearch from Windows

1. Open Windows Start Menu and go to the Control Panel.

2. On Windows Control Panel, click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program in the Programs section.

3. Search for SwiftSearch and other unwanted programs in the list of installed programs. Once an unwanted program is located, double click the item or select it with your mouse and click the Uninstall button. If you can not find this program in the list of installed program please see steps 3 and 4 below.

Step 3: Remove SwiftSearch virus with Malwarebytes

1. Download and 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.

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2. Open the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware program.

3. Click the large Scan Now button or visit the “Scan” tab to manually run a scan.

4. When the malware scan is complete, click the Remove Selected button and reboot your computer.

Step 4: Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner

1. Download and install the free or full version of CCleaner by Piriform.

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2. Open the program and go to Cleaner and click the Analyze button. After files and have been analyzed, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.

3. Go to Registry and click Scan for Issues. When the scan is complete click Fix selected issues… and then click the Fix All Selected Issues button.

4. Go to to Tools > Startup and search through each tab starting from Windows, Internet Explorer, all the way to Context Menu, for additional suspicious entries and click  Delete once anything suspicious is found to remove it.