How to remove Search Webo (searchwebo.com) browser hijacker

What is Search Webo?

Search Webo is a browser extension that our researchers classified as a browser hijacker. Once installed, it changes browser settings to promote searchwebo.com, a fake search engine.

During installation, Search Webo asks for permission to read browsing history and to change the browser's search settings to searchwebo.com. We recommend removing Search Webo and avoiding similarly-behaving extensions.

Search Webo browser hijacker overview

Once added to a browser, Search Webo changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to searchwebo.com. This is a standard hijacking tactic meant to force the browser to open a specific, promoter-controlled page whenever a new tab is opened or a search is performed.

Searchwebo.com cannot generate its own search results. Instead, it redirects to searchccom.com, another questionable search engine, before finally landing on search.yahoo.com, a legitimate search engine.

Depending on a user's geolocation, this chain of redirects may differ, and users in other regions could be sent to different search engines or websites altogether.

Browser hijackers often rely on persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as restricting access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes, to prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Software of this kind usually has data-tracking abilities, and the permissions requested by Search Webo (specifically, reading browsing history) support this. Information of interest may include visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, and browser cookies.

This vulnerable information can be monetized via sale to third-parties, potentially including cybercriminals. To summarize, browser-hijacking software like Search Webo is associated with privacy risks, unwanted redirects, and exposure to further scams.

Browser hijacker examples

We have examined numerous browser hijackers; Pure Safety, Freshy Search, Fusebase Search, and Easy Login are merely a few of our newest articles.

Browser-hijacking software typically appears legitimate and offers various features. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases, they are completely nonoperational.

How did Search Webo infiltrate my computer?

The bundling marketing method, which involves packing regular program installers with unwanted additions, is used to distribute browser hijackers like Search Webo. Pre-packed installation setups can be downloaded from freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) sharing networks, and other dubious channels.

Additionally, browser hijackers can have "official" promotional webpages and be endorsed on scam sites. They are primarily accessed via redirects caused by websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, and misspelled URLs.

The risk of allowing such extensions into the browser is increased by rushing through installations, for example, by ignoring terms or using "Easy/Express" settings instead of "Custom" or "Advanced" ones.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly advise researching software and downloading it only from official or verified sources. When installing, we recommend reading terms, exploring possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, or features.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing, since fraudulent content typically appears legitimate and harmless. Intrusive ads, for instance, may look ordinary but redirect users to highly questionable websites.

In case of continuous encounters with such adverts or redirects, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions. If your computer is already infected with Search Webo, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of searchwebo.com redirecting via searchccom.com to the Yahoo search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by Search Webo browser hijacker:

Screenshots of websites promoting Search Webo browser hijacker:

Sample 1:

Sample 2:

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

Search Webo 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.

Search Webo 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 "Search Webo" 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 "Search Webo", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.searchwebo.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 "searchwebo.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 search webo 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 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 "Search Webo", 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 "Search Webo", remove hxxp://searchwebo.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 search webo 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.

If you continue having problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

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 search webo 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit websites like searchwebo.com?

Software that generates rogue redirects is typically developed for profit. The people behind Search Webo likely generate revenue through the traffic sent to searchwebo.com, searchccom.com, and similar pages.

Is visiting searchwebo.com a threat to my privacy?

Fake search engines such as searchwebo.com are often capable of collecting visitor data, which may later be sold to third-parties. For this reason, visiting such a page is considered a privacy risk, even if a minor one.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser-hijacking software is primarily distributed through bundled installation setups, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting sites, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Search Webo browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. Manual removal without security software may not be ideal, especially when multiple hijackers are present, since removing one might allow another to reinstall it.

Removal-related settings might also be restricted, so it is important to eliminate such threats thoroughly and all at once.