What is Search.sdpa6.com?
According to cyber security professionals, Search.sdpa6.com is a fake search engine promoted that is promoted by Browser hijackers. Browser hijacker is a type of software designed to take over the web-browser and control user’s surfing preferences. It commonly aims at Chrome web-browser, but it’s possible that it can hijack other web browser too. Browser hijackers can sneak into personal computers unnoticed due to the fact that they are actively being promoted in free software. We suggest that you get r id of Search.sdpa6.com as soon as you notice the changes it has made to your startpage, default search engine and new tab.
When you’re performing searches using the browser that has been affected by Search.sdpa6.com, the search results will be returned from Bing, Yahoo or Google Custom Search. The creators of the hijacker are most probably doing this to generate advertisement revenue from the advertisements displayed in the search results.
In addition to the above, it is able to gather confidential info which may be later sold to third parties. You don’t know if your home address, account names and passwords are safe. And of course you completely don’t know what will happen when you click on any ads on the Search.sdpa6.com website.
How can a browser hijacker get on your computer
Browser hijackers such as Search.sdpa6.com can get added to your internet browser or computer when you visit a web-site and press an Install button, or when you download and run a suspicious application, or when you install free software that includes a browser hijacker. Be very attentive when installing any software and make sure you deselect any options for bundled apps that you do not want.
Threat Summary
Name | Search.sdpa6.com |
Type | PUP, redirect virus, search provider hijacker, browser hijacker, start page hijacker |
Affected Browser Settings | home page, search provider, newtab page URL |
Distribution | fake update tools, free programs install packages, misleading popup ads |
Symptoms | Popups and newtabs are loaded without your request. You keep getting redirected to unfamiliar websites. Unwanted program installed without your say-so. New web browser toolbars suddenly installed on your web browser. Your internet browser settings are being modified without your request. |
Removal | Search.sdpa6.com removal guide |
How to remove Search.sdpa6.com from computer
In order to get rid of Search.sdpa6.com redirects from Google Chrome, IE, Firefox and Edge and set your preferred start page and search provider, you need to reset the browser settings. Additionally, you should look up for other questionable entries, such as files, programs, web browser extensions and shortcut files. However, if you want to remove Search.sdpa6.com easily, you should use reputable anti-malware tool and let it do the job for you.
To remove Search.sdpa6.com, perform the following steps:
- How to manually delete Search.sdpa6.com
- Automatic Removal of Search.sdpa6.com
- How to stop Search.sdpa6.com redirect
How to manually delete Search.sdpa6.com
The few simple steps will help you get rid of Search.sdpa6.com search. These removal steps work for MS Edge, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox, as well as every version of computer operating system.
Remove potentially unwanted software using MS Windows Control Panel
In order to get rid of potentially unwanted applications such as this hijacker, open the Windows Control Panel and click on “Uninstall a program”. Check the list of installed apps. For the ones you do not know, run an Internet search to see if they are adware, browser hijacker or PUPs. If yes, delete them off. Even if they are just a software that you do not use, then uninstalling them off will increase your computer start up time and speed dramatically.
- If you are using Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 then click Windows button, next click Search. Type “Control panel”and press Enter.
- If you are using Windows XP, Vista, 7, then click “Start” button and click “Control Panel”.
- It will open the Windows Control Panel.
- Further, click “Uninstall a program” under Programs category.
- It will display a list of all apps installed on the PC system.
- Scroll through the all list, and delete dubious and unknown software. To quickly find the latest installed programs, we recommend sort apps by date.
See more details in the video instructions below.
Remove Search.sdpa6.com from Internet Explorer
The IE reset is great if your web-browser is hijacked or you have unwanted addons or toolbars on your web-browser, that installed by a malicious software.
First, start the Internet Explorer. Next, click the button in the form of gear (). It will open the Tools drop-down menu, click the “Internet Options” as shown in the figure below.
In the “Internet Options” window click on the Advanced tab, then click the Reset button. The IE will display the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” window like the one below. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box, then press “Reset” button.
You will now need to restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
Delete Search.sdpa6.com from Mozilla Firefox by resetting web browser settings
If the Firefox settings such as default search engine, start page and new tab have been changed by the hijacker, then resetting it to the default state can help. Keep in mind that resetting your internet browser will not remove your history, bookmarks, passwords, and other saved data.
First, run the Firefox. Next, press the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It will display the drop-down menu. Next, click the Help button ().
In the Help menu click the “Troubleshooting Information”. In the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page click on “Refresh Firefox” button as displayed on the screen below.
Confirm your action, click the “Refresh Firefox”.
Remove Search.sdpa6.com from Chrome
Like other modern web browsers, the Chrome has the ability to reset the settings to their default values and thereby recover the web-browser search provider, newtab and homepage that have been modified by the Search.sdpa6.com browser hijacker.
- First run the Google Chrome and click Menu button (small button in the form of three dots).
- It will show the Google Chrome main menu. Select More Tools, then press Extensions.
- You will see the list of installed extensions. If the list has the addon labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following guidance: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Google Chrome menu once again, press the “Settings” menu.
- You will see the Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and click “Advanced” link.
- Scroll down again and click the “Reset” button.
- The Chrome will open the reset profile settings page as on the image above.
- Next press the “Reset” button.
- Once this procedure is finished, your browser’s homepage, newtab and default search engine will be restored to their original defaults.
- To learn more, read the article How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.
Automatic Removal of Search.sdpa6.com
Is your Microsoft Windows PC system infected by browser hijacker? Then don’t worry, in the guide listed below, we’re sharing best malicious software removal tools which is able to remove Search.sdpa6.com from Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge and your PC.
Run Zemana AntiMalware to get rid of Search.sdpa6.com startpage
You can download and use the Zemana for free. This antimalware utility will scan all the MS Windows registry keys and files in your personal computer along with the system settings and browser extensions. If it finds any malicious software, adware or harmful extension that is responsible for redirects to Search.sdpa6.com then the Zemana Anti-Malware will remove them from your PC completely.
Visit the following page to download the latest version of Zemana Anti-Malware for MS Windows. Save it on your Microsoft Windows desktop or in any other place.
164031 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
When the downloading process is done, close all windows on your device. Further, run the setup file named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup. If the “User Account Control” dialog box pops up as on the image below, press the “Yes” button.
It will open the “Setup wizard” that will help you install Zemana on the PC. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
Once installation is complete successfully, Zemana AntiMalware will automatically start and you can see its main window like below.
Next, click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this utility for the browser hijacker responsible for the Search.sdpa6.com redirects.
When the scan is finished, Zemana AntiMalware will show a scan report. All found items will be marked. You can delete them all by simply click “Next” button.
The Zemana will remove browser hijacker and move the selected threats to the program’s quarantine. Once the cleaning process is finished, you can be prompted to reboot your computer.
Use Hitman Pro to get rid of Search.sdpa6.com from the device
Hitman Pro is a free tool which can identify hijacker that alters web browser settings to Search.sdpa6.com. It’s not always easy to locate all malicious apps that your PC might have picked up on the Internet. HitmanPro will locate adware, hijackers and other malware you need to uninstall.
Download Hitman Pro by clicking on the link below. Save it directly to your Microsoft Windows Desktop.
When the download is complete, open the folder in which you saved it and double-click the HitmanPro icon. It will start the HitmanPro utility. If the User Account Control prompt will ask you want to start the program, click Yes button to continue.
Next, click “Next” to begin scanning your computer for the browser hijacker related to Search.sdpa6.com. Depending on your PC system, the scan may take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. During the scan Hitman Pro will scan for threats present on your computer.
As the scanning ends, you will be shown the list of all found threats on your computer as displayed below.
You may remove items (move to Quarantine) by simply click “Next” button. It will display a dialog box, click the “Activate free license” button. The HitmanPro will delete hijacker responsible for Search.sdpa6.com redirects. When finished, the tool may ask you to reboot your personal computer.
How to get rid of Search.sdpa6.com with MalwareBytes Anti-Malware
Get rid of Search.sdpa6.com redirects manually is difficult and often the hijacker is not completely removed. Therefore, we recommend you to run the MalwareBytes which are fully clean your computer. Moreover, this free program will help you to delete malicious software, potentially unwanted apps, toolbars and adware software that your PC system may be infected too.
Please go to the link below to download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware. Save it on your Windows desktop.
326383 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
When the downloading process is complete, close all software and windows on your PC. Double-click the setup file named MBSetup. If the “User Account Control” prompt pops up such as the one below, click the “Yes” button.
It will open the Setup wizard that will help you install MalwareBytes Anti-Malware on your PC system. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.
Once installation is complete successfully, click “Get Started” button. MalwareBytes AntiMalware will automatically start and you can see its main screen like below.
Now press the “Scan” button for checking your computer for the hijacker that redirects your web browser to the Search.sdpa6.com web-site. This process can take some time, so please be patient. During the scan MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will search for threats present on your computer.
Once the scan is finished, it will open the Scan Results. In order to remove all threats, simply click “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes will begin to remove hijacker responsible for the Search.sdpa6.com redirects. After the procedure is done, you may be prompted to reboot the PC system.
We advise you look at the following video, which completely explains the procedure of using the MalwareBytes AntiMalware to get rid of adware software, browser hijacker and other malware.
How to stop Search.sdpa6.com redirect
Use an adblocker tool such as AdGuard will protect you from harmful ads and content. Moreover, you can find that the AdGuard have an option to protect your privacy and stop phishing and spam webpages. Additionally, adblocker software will allow you to avoid unwanted pop-up ads and unverified links that also a good way to stay safe online.
AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your Windows desktop or in any other place.
26627 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
After downloading it, double-click the downloaded file to start it. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen similar to the one below.
Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed and an icon will be placed on your desktop. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick tutorial as shown in the figure below.
Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick guide which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you start your computer, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted ads, block Search.sdpa6.com, as well as other malicious or misleading websites. For an overview of all the features of the application, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, that is located on your desktop.
To sum up
We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted pop-up ads and intrusive harmful web pages) and Zemana (to periodically scan your device for new hijacker 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 delete Search.sdpa6.com from Mozilla Firefox, MS Edge, Chrome and Internet Explorer, then ask for help here.