If you’re reading this post, the chances are, you are doing so through the web-browser that has been hijacked with something called Search Anonymous. Search Anonymous is a PUP (potentially unwanted program) from the large group of unwanted browser extensions. In many cases it is installed without your permission with the help of various freeware. Search Anonymous takes control of your web-browser and alters your newtab, start page and search engine by default to its own. So, you will find a new startpage and search provider web-browsers as soon as possible.
When the Search Anonymous plugin get installed onto your personal computer, every time you open your web browser you will see an unwanted web-page. Of course you can setup your startpage again, but next time you open a web-browser you will see that Search Anonymous return. As mentioned above, this extension can modify the default search engine on this undesired web-page too, so all your search queries will be redirected to Search Anonymous. Thus the authors of the addon can collect the search terms of your queries, and reroute you to intrusive web pages.
Although, Search Anonymous add-on is not a virus, but it does bad things, and it changes settings of internet browsers. Moreover, an adware (also known as ‘ad-supported’ software) may be additionally installed on to your PC system with this plugin, which will display a huge count of advertisements, or even massive full page advertisements that blocks surfing the Internet. Often such these advertisements can recommend to install other unknown and unwanted software or visit malicious web-sites.
The tutorial below explaining steps to remove Search Anonymous add-on problem. Feel free to use it for removal of the extension that may attack Google Chrome and other popular web-browsers. The step-by-step tutorial will help you restore your settings of all your typical browsers which previously replaced by this unwanted plugin.
Remove Search Anonymous extension (removal instructions)
The answer is right here on this web page. We have put together simplicity and efficiency. It will help you easily to clean your computer of plugin. Moreover, you can select manual or automatic removal method. If you are familiar with the computer then use manual removal, otherwise use the free antimalware tool designed specifically to remove plugin like Search Anonymous. Of course, you can combine both methods. Read this manual carefully, bookmark or print it, because you may need to exit your browser or reboot your computer.
How to manually remove Search Anonymous
Read this section to know how to manually remove the Search Anonymous extension. Even if the instructions does not work for you, there are several free malicious software removers below which can easily handle such browser hijackers.
Remove potentially unwanted software using Windows Control Panel
First, go to MS Windows Control Panel and uninstall suspicious programs, all programs you do not remember installing. It’s important to pay the most attention to programs you installed just before Search Anonymous add-on appeared on your web browser. If you don’t know what a program does, look for the answer on the World Wide Web.
Windows 8, 8.1, 10
First, click Windows button
, then press Search 
. Type ‘Control panel’and press Enter as displayed on the screen below.
When the ‘Control Panel’ opens, click the ‘Uninstall a program’ link under Programs category as shown on the screen below.
You will see the ‘Uninstall a program’ panel as displayed on the screen below.
Very carefully look around the entire list of software installed on your system. Most likely, one or more of them are responsible for the appearance of pop-up ads and web browser redirect to the unwanted Search Anonymous web-page. If you have many programs installed, you can help simplify the search of harmful applications by sort the list by date of installation. Once you have found a suspicious, unwanted or unused program, right click to it, after that click ‘Uninstall’.
Windows XP, Vista, 7
First, click ‘Start’ button and select ‘Control Panel’ at right panel as shown in the following example.
After the Windows ‘Control Panel’ opens, you need to press ‘Uninstall a program’ under ‘Programs’ like below.
You will see a list of applications installed on your system. We recommend to sort the list by date of installation to quickly find the applications that were installed last. Most likely they responsibility for the appearance of popup ads and browser redirect. If you are in doubt, you can always check the application by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing. When the program which you need to uninstall is found, simply click on its name, and then press ‘Uninstall’ as shown on the image below.
Get rid of Search Anonymous extension from Google Chrome
Run the Reset web-browser tool of the Google Chrome to reset all its settings such as new tab, start page and search provider by default to original defaults. This is a very useful utility to use, in the case of web browser hijacks such as Search Anonymous.
- First run the Google Chrome and click Menu button (small button in the form of three horizontal stripes).
- It will show the Google Chrome main menu. Select “Settings” option.
- You will see the Google Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and click “Show advanced settings” link.
- Scroll down again and click the “Reset settings” button.
- The Chrome will display the reset profile settings page as on the image above.
- Next click the “Reset” button.
- Once this process is done, your internet browser’s newtab page, start page and search provider by default will be restored to their original defaults.
- To learn more, read the blog post How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.
Search Anonymous extension automatic removal
After completing the manual removal guidance above all unwanted programs and internet browser’s extensions which causes web browser redirects to the Search Anonymous site should be deleted. If the problem with Search Anonymous add-on is still remained, then we suggest to scan your personal computer for any remaining malicious components. Use recommended free add-on removal software below.
Run Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) to remove extension
We suggest using the Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM). You may download and install Zemana Free to detect and delete Search Anonymous addon from your personal computer. When installed and updated, the malicious software remover will automatically scan and detect all threats exist on the PC system.
Now you can install and run Zemana Free to get rid of Search Anonymous plugin from your web-browser by following the steps below:
Click the link below to download Zemana Anti-Malware installation package called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup on your personal computer.
164030 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
Run the installation package after it has been downloaded successfully and then follow the prompts to install this tool on your PC.
During install you can change certain settings, but we recommend you don’t make any changes to default settings.
When installation is complete, this malicious software removal tool will automatically launch and update itself. You will see its main window as shown on the image below.
Now click the “Scan” button . Zemana tool will start scanning the whole computer to find out Search Anonymous add-on and other web-browser’s harmful extensions. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your personal computer. When a threat is detected, the count of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the scanning is done.
When the scanning is complete, the results are displayed in the scan report. Review the scan results and then click “Next” button.
The Zemana Anti-Malware (ZAM) will begin to remove Search Anonymous addon and other malicious software and ad-supported software. Once disinfection is finished, you can be prompted to restart your machine to make the change take effect.
Run Malwarebytes to delete Search Anonymous extension
Manual Search Anonymous extension removal requires some computer skills. Some files and registry entries that created by the extension can be not completely removed. We advise that run the Malwarebytes Free that are completely clean your personal computer of extension. Moreover, the free program will allow you to get rid of malware, PUPs, ad supported software and toolbars that your computer can be infected too.
Download MalwareBytes Anti Malware from the following link. Save it on your Desktop.
326382 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
After downloading is finished, close all software and windows on your personal computer. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named mb3-setup as shown on the screen below.
When the installation begins, you will see the “Setup wizard” that will help you setup Malwarebytes on your PC.
Once installation is complete, you will see window as displayed on the image below.
Now click the “Scan Now” button . MalwareBytes AntiMalware tool will start scanning the whole system to find out Search Anonymous plugin which designed to redirect your internet browser to an undesired web page. This task can take some time, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes tool is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified as being infected by malware.
After the system scan is done, MalwareBytes will show a screen that contains a list of malicious software that has been detected. All found items will be marked. You can remove them all by simply click “Quarantine Selected” button.
The Malwarebytes will now delete Search Anonymous addon that cause an unwanted web page to appear and add items to the Quarantine. When disinfection is finished, you may be prompted to restart your PC.
The following video explains step by step instructions on how to remove browser hijacker, ad-supported software and other malware with MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM).
Use AdwCleaner to remove Search Anonymous addon
The AdwCleaner utility is free and easy to use. It can scan and remove Search Anonymous extension and other security threats, malicious software, potentially unwanted software and ad-supported software from computer (MS Windows 10, 8, 7, XP) and thereby restore browsers default settings (startpage, new tab and default search provider). AdwCleaner is powerful enough to find and get rid of malicious registry entries and files that are hidden on the system.
- Download AdwCleaner by clicking on the link below. Save it on your Windows desktop or in any other place.
AdwCleaner download
225259 downloads
Version: 8.4.1
Author: Xplode, MalwareBytes
Category: Security tools
Update: October 5, 2024
- Select the directory in which you saved it as Desktop, and then click Save.
- When the downloading process is finished, run the AdwCleaner, double-click the adwcleaner_xxx.exe file.
- If the “User Account Control” prompts, press Yes to continue.
- Read the “Terms of use”, and click Accept.
- In the AdwCleaner window, click the “Scan” . AdwCleaner utility will begin scanning the whole PC to find out Search Anonymous extension and other security threats. This procedure may take quite a while, so please be patient. While the AdwCleaner utility is scanning, you can see how many objects it has identified as being infected by malicious software.
- Once the scan get finished, AdwCleaner will show a scan report. Next, you need to press “Clean”. If the AdwCleaner will ask you to restart your personal computer, click “OK”.
The step by step tutorial shown in detail in the following video.
How to block Search Anonymous addon
If you browse the Internet, you can’t avoid malvertising. But you can protect your internet browser against it. Download and use an ad blocker program. AdGuard is an ad blocking that can filter out a lot of of the malvertising, stoping dynamic scripts from loading malicious content.
- Download AdGuard program from the following link. Save it on your Desktop.
Adguard download
26627 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
- Once the downloading process is done, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- After the installation is finished, click “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you start your PC, AdGuard will start automatically and block popups, web sites such Search Anonymous, as well as other malicious or misleading web pages. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon named AdGuard, that is located on your desktop.
Method of Search Anonymous plugin intrusion into your system
The Search Anonymous addon spreads with a simple but quite effective way. It’s integrated into the setup file of various free software. Thus on the process of installation, it will infect your web browser and change it’s settings on the Search Anonymous. To avoid add-on, you just need to follow a few simple rules: carefully read the Terms of Use and the license, select only a Manual, Custom or Advanced setup method, which enables you to make sure that the program you want to install, thereby protect your computer from the plugin like the Search Anonymous.
Finish words
Now your system should be free of the Search Anonymous add-on and other security threats. Delete AdwCleaner. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted pop up ads and undesired malicious pages) and Zemana AntiMalware (to periodically scan your system for new addons and other malware). Probably you are running an older version of Java or Adobe Flash Player. This can be a security risk, so download and install the latest version right now.
If you are still having problems while trying to remove Search Anonymous extension from the Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, MS Edge and Microsoft Internet Explorer, then ask for help in our Spyware/Malware removal forum.
