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Sonic Search Ads

Also Known As: Ads by Sonic Search
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Sonic Search?

Sonic Search is a rogue browser extension claiming to enhance the Internet search experience by adding an improved website search function to browsers.

While this browser add-on may seem legitimate, be aware that Sonic Search is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted application, since it employs a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) to install on Internet browsers without users' consent.

After successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome, Sonic Search tracks users' Internet browsing activity and generates intrusive online advertisements.

SonicSearch virus

These intrusive advertisements include in-text, banner, pop-up, interstitial, and text-link ads.

There is a high probability that clicking these ads will lead to high-risk adware or malware infections. In addition, users' Internet browsing activity is continually monitored since Sonic Search collects various information such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, geographic locations, operating systems, language settings, browser types, URLs visited, pages viewed, and other similar software and hardware details, which may be personally identifiable.

This behavior may result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft, and therefore, you are strongly advised to uninstall Sonic Search from your Internet browsers. There are many similar rogue browser add-ons claiming to improve the quality of users' Internet browsing experience by adding useful functions (examples include Disturbicons, Movie Mode, Spy Lookout, etc.).

Neither Sonic Search, nor any of these other browser plug-ins add any real value for the user - their purpose is to generate income by the display of intrusive online advertisements.

Most Internet users inadvertently install adware such as Sonic Search during the download of free software via small programs called 'download clients' on freeware download websites including download.com, soft32.com, and softonic.com Most of these websites employ download clients to monetize their free services by offering installation of advertised 'virus-free' browser extensions together with the chosen free software.

Thus, careless download and installation of free software often results in adware or malware infections. This situation can be prevented by closely inspecting each step of the freeware download process and clicking 'Decline' when installation of any additional programs is offered.

If you are installing downloaded software, be sure to select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options - this step will reveal any hidden applications and allow you to remove them from the installation list. Internet users who have already installed Sonic Search, should follow this removal guide to eliminate this adware from their Internet browsers.

Sonic Search adware installer set-up:

Official Sonic Search adware installation setup

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Quick menu:

Sonic Search adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

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:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

Sonic Search adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "Sonic Search", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes Sonic Search ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove Sonic Search adware from Internet browsers:

At time of research, Sonic Search did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.

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

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing Sonic Search ads from Internet Explorer step 1

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options 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".

Removing Sonic Search ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by sonic search, 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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

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

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

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

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing Sonic Search  ads from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate: all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Removing Sonic Search ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by sonic search, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

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

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

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

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing Sonic Search ads from Mozilla Firefox step 1

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

Removing Sonic Search ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

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

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

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

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

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

removing adware from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

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

removing adware from safari step 2 - removing extensions

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...

resetting safari step 1

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

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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.

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 2

Optional method:

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

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

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

Summary:

declining installation of adware while downloading free software sampleCommonly, 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on ads by sonic search or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Ads by Sonic Search QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by Sonic Search on your mobile device.
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