How to uninstall SearchPro Tools adware

What is SearchPro Tools?

SearchPro Tools (also known as Search Pro Tools) is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) classified as adware. Typically, people do not download or install adware (or other PUAs) intentionally. When installed, adware-type software displays various intrusive advertisements. Commonly, programs of this type also track information.

Examples of advertisements displayed by adware include coupons, surveys, banners and pop-ups. When clicked, these open various untrusted web pages or cause download/installation of unwanted, potentially malicious software by running certain scripts.

In any case, it is not safe to click such ads. Adware-type software often collects data. For example, IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites and other browsing data. Adware can collect sensitive, personal information as well.

The people behind such programs (the developers) tend to sell all gathered details to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse them to generate revenue in other ways. In summary, installed adware can cause problems relating to browsing safety and privacy.

It is possible that gathered data could also be misused to steal identities. Therefore, SearchPro Tools and other installed PUAs should be removed from the operating system and browser immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SearchPro Tools
Threat Type	Push notifications ads, Unwanted ads, Pop-up ads.
Detection Names (sptools.exe)	AegisLab (Trojan.Multi.Generic.4!c), Comodo (Malware@#zz1o173c8h0s), DrWeb (Adware.Searcher.3336), Kaspersky (UDS:DangerousObject.Multi.Generic), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased internet browsing speed.
Distribution Methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications (adware).
Damage	Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Some examples of other software also classified as adware include InLog Browser, RunBooster and MoFinder. These programs are advertised as useful and legitimate, and supposedly deliver various features or other value, however, most do not operate as promoted and simply cause problems.

In most cases, adware feeds users with unwanted ads and gathers data to generate revenue for the developers.

How did adware install on my computer?

Research shows that SearchPro Tools is distributed through the setup of an unofficial Microsoft Office activation ('cracking') tool. Note that it is illegal to activate licensed software with tools of this type. Developers often distribute adware and other PUAs by including them into the download/installation set-ups of other programs.

This distribution method is known as bundling. Typically, information about additionally-included software can be found in settings such as "Advanced", "Custom", and other similar sections. Various unwanted programs receive permission to be downloaded and installed together with other PUAs when people fail to check and change the settings.

In some cases, unwanted downloads and installations are caused by clicking deceptive ads that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Files and programs should be downloaded from official websites and via direct links. Other sources, tools such as third party downloaders (and installers), Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), dubious websites, etc., are often used to distribute PUAs. In some cases, even malicious programs.

Check all download/installation settings such as "Custom" and "Advanced", especially if software is free. Dismiss any offers to download or install potentially unwanted applications.

Do not click advertisements that appear on untrusted websites (e.g., on those relating to pornography, gambling, adult dating), since they can open untrusted, potentially malicious websites or download/install unwanted apps. Remove all unwanted, suspicious apps (extensions, plug-ins, add-ons) that are installed on the browser immediately.

The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with rogue applications, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

SearchPro Tools download website:

Screenshot of the SearchPro Tools installer:

Screenshot of unofficial Microsoft Office activation tool setup, which includes SearchPro Tools:

Updated version of SearchPro Tools adware:

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is SearchPro Tools?
• STEP 1. Uninstall adware applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue plug-ins from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove adware-type extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove malicious extensions from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window, look for any potentially unwanted applications, select "SearchPro Tools" and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling SearchPro Tools scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by searchpro tools, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by searchpro tools, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by searchpro tools removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by searchpro tools, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

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