How to remove srch.bar from the settings of a hijacked browser?

What is srch.bar?

Srch.bar (also known as searchmgr.com or searchmgre.com) is presented as a legitimate Internet search engine.

On initial inspection, this site may seem legitimate and useful, however, be aware that it is promoted using dubious software 'installers' that stealthily modify web browser (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) settings. In addition, this site tracks Internet browsing activity.

These dubious software installers assign the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL browser settings to the srch.bar website without users' consent.

In addition, several applications and browser extensions (called 'helper objects') are installed to prevent users from reverting these changes (when users attempt to alter the settings, helper objects automatically roll them back to srch.bar). This rogue behavior leads to continual unwanted browser redirects and significantly diminishes the Internet browsing experience.

Note that srch.bar redirects users to yahoo.com (a legitimate Internet search engine) and, thus, poses no threat to the system. Furthermore, srch.bar gathers various browsing-related information such as website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, IP addresses, and so on.

This recorded information is later shared with third parties. Some of the details may be personally identifiable - sharing of personal data can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly recommend that you uninstall all recently installed potentially unwanted programs and not to visit the srch.bar website.

Threat Summary:

Name	srch.bar browser hijacker
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Search Manager
Supposed Functionality	Improved web browsing search experience (more accurate search results).
Promoted Domains	srch.bar, searchmgr.com, searchmgre.com
Serving IP Addresses	50.16.193.91 (srch.bar), 52.84.52.71 (searchmgr.com)
Detection Names (srch.bar)	Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Detection Names (searchmgr.com)	Fortinet (Malware), Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
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. ▼ 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.

There are many browser-hijacking applications with similar behavior. For instance, apps such as Your Online Games Now and Your Weather Info Now also claim to improve the Internet browsing experience in various ways. By giving these fake promises, browser hijackers attempt to trick users to install.

Their purpose is to generate revenue for the developers. Neither srch.bar, nor any other browser hijackers, provide the functionality promised. These apps cause unwanted browser redirects, track Internet browsing data, and deliver intrusive online advertisements.

How did srch.bar install on my computer?

Browser-hijacking programs are often distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs with regular software/apps. The developers know that many users do not express enough caution when downloading and installing software.

Therefore, potentially unwanted programs are intentionally concealed within the 'Custom/Advanced' settings. Users who skip this section often inadvertently install potentially unwanted programs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

This situation can be prevented by closely analyzing each step of the software download procedure. The key to computer safety is caution. Use the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings and decline all offers to download or install additional apps, since there is a high probability that additionally included software will be rogue.

If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate it.

Srch.bar redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):

Download website for browser hijacker promoting sch.bar:

Notification informing about Search Manager's capabilities:

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 srch.bar?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove srch.bar browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove srch.bar homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove srch.bar redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
• STEP 6. Remove srch.bar redirect from Internet Explorer.

srch.bar 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 srch.bar website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

srch.bar 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons (like "Search Manager") and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.srch.bar) 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 "srch.bar" when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the srch.bar 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". Click on "Extensions" and remove all recently installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://srch.bar 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 "I'll be careful, I promise!".
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 srch.bar 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 srch.bar 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.

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 extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://srch.bar and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "srch.bar".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the srch.bar browser hijacker, 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.

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 srch.bar browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion