Remove SearchAssist.me Redriect Virus from Browsers

How to Get Rid of SEARCHASSIST.ME Virus Completely

SEARCHASSIST.ME is a type of redirect virus that attacks users’ computers and furtively modifies the browser current settings, causing the changes of the default homepage. It usually attaches itself to SPAM emails, attachments, online chats, instant messages, pop-up ads, suspicious links, unknown websites, peer to peer programs and other unprotected networks. Since SEARCHASSIST.ME appears as a website similar to Google search engine which provides searching function, many computer users may pay no attention to it and use it to do a search and visit many unexpected websites.

Since this SEARCHASSIST.ME redirect has the ability to prevent browsers from viewing normal search result and redirect them to advertising sites. Besides, the redirect virus displays a sea of nonstop pop-up ads in user’s computer, especially when they launch some third-party programs like a media player, so that the users would click on them consciously. Those ads are created to promote various goods and make profits from the internet. Some users are interested in merchandise sale promotions, discounts and coupons, for the reason that they think it can save some money by using such coupons or discounts. So some users accept various advertising sites or receiving pop-up ads.

Since SEARCHASSIST.ME takes control of the browsers and modify some security settings, more and more serious computer security problems will occur. After the modifications are done, endless additional browser items will be installed in the name of regular browser items without consent, including unwanted addons, unsafe extension and unnecessary toolbar. It can appear on the startup of the infected browsers and install extensions, add-ons and links on the computer, such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. Moreover, the redirect virus may provide random links which link to malicious websites so as to invite more threats to further harm the PC. Under such circumstance, the victims of the infected computer will get more and more troubles including information revealing, data loss, and attacks from other malware and viruses.

How to Remove SEARCHASSIST.ME Redirect Virus Effectively

Step 1: Terminate all the malicious extensions in the browser

Internet Explorer
1. Start the Internet Explorer and click on Tools in the browser menu, choose the Manage Add-ons in the drop-down list.
2. Select the SEARCHASSIST.ME in the showing window and disable it.
3. Restart the Internet Explorer.

Google Chrome
1. Launch Google Chrome and click on its wrench icon.
2. Choose the Tools in the list then select the Extensions.
3. In the showing window, click on the Extensions, then find out the SEARCHASSIST.ME and disable it.
4. Restart Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox
1. Run the Mozilla Firefox, click on Tools in the Firefox menu and choose the Add-ons, then click on the Extensions.
2. Then select the SEARCHASSIST.ME in the list and click on Remove button.
3. Restart Mozilla Firefox.

Step 2: Remove the added programs of the redirect virus in the Control Panel

1. Click Start to open the menu and click on the Control Panel.
2. Double-click on Uninstall a program under the Programs.
3. Find SEARCHASSIST.ME in the programs list and locate it, then click on the Uninstall.
4. Follow the wizard to accomplish the removal.

Step 3: Reset the browser

Internet Explorer
1. Start the Internet Explorer, click on Tools then choose the Internet Options.
2. Click on the Advanced tab, then click the Reset button.
3. Click on the General tab, put a new address in the homepage box.
4. Click OK button to save the changes.
5. Restart the Internet Explorer.

Google Chrome
1. Launch the Google Chrome and click on the Settings in the list.
2. Click on Show advanced settings.
3. Click on Reset browser settings button.
4. In the Settings windows, click on the Show Home button in the Appearance section.
5. Click on the Change link, type a new address in the box then click on OK.
6. Restart Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox
1. Open the Mozilla Firefox, click on the Firefox menu button. Locate the Help then click on the Troubleshooting Information.
2. In the showing Troubleshooting Information page, click on the Reset Firefox button.
3. Confirm the reset request after that.
4. Click the Firefox button and choose the Options.
5. Click the General tab, type a new address as the homepage in the box, then click OK.
6. Restart the Mozilla Firefox.

Conclusion

SEARCHASSIST.ME often enters the targeted computers by coming together with software update packages which are recommended in a pop-up website. In some cases, this redirect virus hides in the free applications that users have downloaded from the Internet, and automatically gets installed when users install the applications they need. Most computer users are unaware of the danger of this redirect virus and keep it on the computer for a long time, bringing many problems to their computers.

One can never be too carefully when he is about to install, download, and open things on the Internet if he wants to keep a healthy computer because any of the actions can cause virus attacks without your attention. The effective way for prevention is to get rid of the unwanted plug-ins in the browser. Then repair the browser settings and safeguard their PCs against other cyber threats. It is developed to help users to detect and delete the threat automatically from the computer without damage.