How to remove the SearchVPN browser-hijacking extension

What kind of software is SearchVPN?

Our research team discovered the SearchVPN browser extension while investigating dubious websites. This software is promoted as a VPN (Virtual Private Network) client. After analyzing this extension, we determined that it is a browser hijacker. SearchVPN modifies browser settings to promote a fake search engine (kwsrc4you.com; potentially others).

SearchVPN browser hijacker overview

In most cases, browser hijackers assign endorsed sites as browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new tab/window URLs. Due to these changes, whenever a Web search is performed via the URL bar or a new browser tab/window is opened – it results in a redirect to the promoted webpage.

At the time of research, SearchVPN endorsed the kwsrc4you.com illegitimate search engine. However, this extension could cause redirects to different webpages.

Usually, fake search engines cannot provide search results, so they lead users to legitimate Internet search websites. During our analysis, kwsrc4you.com landed on the Yahoo search engine (search.yahoo.com). It is noteworthy that where such a page redirects might differ based on user geolocation.

Furthermore, browser-hijacking software often utilizes persistence-ensuring techniques (e.g., denying access to removal-related settings, undoing user-made changes, etc.) – to prevent users from restoring their browsers.

What is more, browser hijackers typically spy on users' browsing activity, and SearchVPN might have data-tracking abilities as well. Targeted information can include: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, browser cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The gathered information can be monetized through sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software like SearchVPN on devices may lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Browser hijacker examples

We have investigated countless browser hijackers; SearchThatNow, MultSearch, News Searcher Pro, Prime Cinema, and Clarity Tab are merely some of our newest articles. Software within this category tends to look ordinary and innocuous. It can also offer a broad range of functionalities that seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.

It must be emphasized that even if a browser extension or an application functions as described by its promotional material – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did SearchVPN install on my computer?

SearchVPN has an "official" promotional webpage. In addition to such legitimate-looking sites, browser hijackers are endorsed on scam pages. Most users enter these webpages via redirects caused by intrusive ads, websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, and installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled with ordinary programs. The threat of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the device is increased by downloading from suspect sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by being negligent when installing (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping sections, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Intrusive advertisements proliferate this software as well. When clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. When installing, it is important to read terms, study available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt out of all additional apps, extensions, features, tools, etc.

Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, intrusive ads may look innocuous yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, adult dating, gambling, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with such adverts/redirects, check the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with SearchVPN, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of kwsrc4you.com redirecting to the Yahoo search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by SearchVPN browser hijacker:

Website promoting SearchVPN browser hijacker:

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:

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.

Quick menu:

• What is SearchVPN?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove SearchVPN browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove kwsrc4you.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove kwsrc4you.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

SearchVPN browser hijacker 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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

SearchVPN browser hijacker 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 "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "SearchVPN" and other recently-installed 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 "SearchVPN", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.kwsrc4you.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 "kwsrc4you.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 kwsrc4you.com redirect, 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 extensions 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 "SearchVPN", as well as 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 "SearchVPN", remove hxxp://kwsrc4you.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 kwsrc4you.com redirect 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 kwsrc4you.com redirect, 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit kwsrc4you.com website?

Redirects to websites like kwsrc4you.com are generated because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) profit through them.

Is visiting kwsrc4you.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like kwsrc4you.com tend to gather (and sell) visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are mainly distributed via deceptive promotional pages, bundled installers, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, intrusive ads, and spam browser notifications.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove SearchVPN browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. Note that manual removal (unaided by security tools) might not be a perfect solution, particularly when multiple browser hijackers are present. In some instances, after one is removed – the others simply reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software may render removal-related settings inaccessible. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.