How to remove searchesmia.com from the settings of a web browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is searchesmia.com?
While inspecting searchesmia.com, our team found that it redirects users to fake search engines. Our team discovered searchesmia.com while testing rogue browser extensions. These are the main two reasons why searchesmia.com cannot be trusted.
More about searchesmia.com
We found that searchesmia.com shows results by gosearches.gg, goodsearchez.com, privatesearches.org, and other fake search engines that may show misleading results and (or) results generated by untrustworthy search engines. One of the applications promoting searchesmia.com is a fake Google Docs extension.
Apps promoting searchesmia.com are browser hijackers that change the settings of web browsers. These apps change the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to searchesmia.com. It is important to mention that a fake Google Docs extension promoting searchesmia.com adds the "Managed by your organization" feature to Chrome browsers.
In addition to redirecting users to shady pages, searchesmia.com (and apps promoting it) may be gathering browsing-related and even sensitive information. This may lead to issues related to online privacy and other problems like identity theft, monetary loss, and more.
| Name | searchesmia.com browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Fake Google Docs app and other rogue browser extensions |
| Supposed Functionality | Accurate search results |
| Domains Searchesmia.com Redirects To | search-good.com, goodsearchez.com, gosearches.gg |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Detection Names (searchesmia.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 172.67.134.217 |
| Detection Names (Malicious Installer) | K7AntiVirus (Trojan ( 0059a7651 )), K7GW (Trojan ( 0059a7651 )), Webroot (Malware), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Fake search engines in general
Fake search engines and browser hijackers cannot be trusted. Using them can lead to untrustworthy (potentially malicious) websites and unwanted downloads and installations. Fake search engines (and browser hijackers) usually are promoted as useful/legitimate to trick users into using them.
Examples of apps that function as browser hijackers are National Parks Tab, Cats fanpage, and Whiteboard New Tab.
How did searchesmia.com promoting software install on my computer?
One of the browser extensions (a fake Google Docs extension) promoting searchesmia.com is distributed via web pages hosting cracking tools. It installs via a rogue executable file. It is also common for browser-hijacking apps to be bundled with other software (freeware).
In these cases, browser hijackers get added to browsers when users finish software installations without changing "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings (without deselecting unwanted apps). Also, browser hijackers are distributed via shady ads and other dubious sites.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download applications from reliable sources such as official websites and verified stores only. Read reviews before installing/adding applications. Do not trust shady pages and ads or links on them. Do not agree to receive notifications from suspicious web pages.
Always check downloaders and installers for unwanted apps and deselect them. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Searchesmia.com redirects to goodsearchez.com (GIF):
Searchesmia.com redirects to gosearches.gg (GIF):
Sreenshot of the shady website promoting a rogue installer:
A screenshot of a fake Google Docs app requesting access to the site:
Screenshot of an App extension used to promote searchesmia.com website:
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:
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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 searchesmia.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove searchesmia.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove searchesmia.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove searchesmia.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
searchesmia.com redirect 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 recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the searchesmia.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
searchesmia.com redirect removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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 the fake "Google Docs" app and other suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.searchesmia.com) below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "searchesmia.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchesmia.com browser hijacker, 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove hxxp://searchesmia.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with searchesmia.com browser hijacker 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 and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
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 top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon 
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchesmia.com browser hijacker, 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:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on searchesmia.com browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit searchesmia.com website?
Typically, fake search engines are promoted to increase website traffic and generate more revenue for their developers.
Is visiting searchesmia.com a threat to my privacy?
Searchesmia.com redirects to fake search engines (their addresses). Using fake search engines can lead to issues related to online privacy. Moreover, apps promoting searchesmia.com may be used to gather sensitive information.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
One of the apps promoting searchesmia.com is a fake Google Docs app that installs via an executable file hosted on a deceptive page. Also, browser-hijacking apps are promoted via notifications from shady pages, dubious advertisements, etc. Also, apps of this type can be found in freeware installers.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan the operating system and remove all browser hijackers. It is worth mentioning that manual removal does not always work since browser hijackers can be designed to reinstall one another. All browser hijackers that reinstall one another have to be removed at once. This can be easily done using Combo Cleaner.
Outstanding!
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