Search.xyz is a browser hijacker. Search.xyz browser hijacker modifies settings in the web browser. Search.xyz redirects the default search engine and hijacks the new tab homepage.
Search.xyz is regularly offered on the internet as a convenient homepage. However, in reality, this is a browser hijacker that collects all kinds of data from your browser.
The data collected by Search.xyz is used for advertising purposes. The data is sold to advertising networks. Because Search.xyz collects data from your browser, Search.xyz is also classified as (PUP) Potentially Unwanted Program.
Search.xyz browser extension will install itself in the Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Edge browser. No browser developer yet notices this browser hijacker as unwanted.
If your home page has changed to Search.xyz and the Search.xyz browser extension has been installed, remove the Search.xyz extension as soon as possible using this Search.xyz removal instruction.
Remove Search.xyz
Choose your web browser
Google chrome
Open Google Chrome and type chrome://extensions in the Chrome address bar.
Scroll through all installed Chrome extensions and find the “Search.xyz” extension.
When you have found the Search.xyz browser extension, click on Remove.
If the extension is managed by your organization, download chrome policy remover.
Unzip the file, right-click the .bat, and run as administrator.
Instructions for Mac OS X at the end of this instruction.
If you still have problems with the Google Chrome web browser consider a full reset of the Chrome web browser.
In the Google Chrome address bar type, or copy and paste: chrome://settings/resetProfileSettings
Click the Reset Settings button to fully reset Google Chrome to the default settings. When you are done restart the Chrome browser.
Continue to the next step, remove malware from your computer with Malwarebytes.
Firefox
Open Firefox and type about:addons in the Firefox address bar, press ENTER on your keyboard.
Find the “Search.xyz” browser extension and click the three dots on the right of the Search.xyz extension.
Click on Remove from the menu to remove Search.xyz from the Firefox browser.
If you still have problems with the Firefox web browser consider a full reset of the Firefox web browser.
In the Firefox address bar type, or copy and paste: about:support
Click the Refresh Firefox button to fully reset Firefox to the default settings. When you are done restart the Firefox browser.
Continue to the next step, remove malware from your computer with Malwarebytes.
Microsoft Edge
Open Microsoft Edge. In the address bar type: edge://extensions/
Find the “Search.xyz” extension and click on Remove.
If you still have problems with the Microsoft Edge web browser, consider a full reset.
In the Microsoft Edge address bar type, or copy and paste: edge://settings/resetProfileSettings
Click the Refresh button to fully reset Edge to the default settings. When you are done restart the Microsoft Edge browser.
Continue to the next step, remove malware from your computer with Malwarebytes.
Safari
Open Safari. In the left top corner click on the Safari menu.
In the Safari menu click on Preferences. Click on the Extensions tab.
Click on the Search.xyz extension you would like to remove then click on Uninstall.
Next, remove malware with Malwarebytes for Mac.
Read more: Remove Mac malware with Anti-malware or Remove mac malware manually.
Remove Search.xyz with Malwarebytes
Make sure to completely clean your computer from adware with Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes is an essential tool in the fight against malware. Malwarebytes is able to remove many types of malware that other software does often miss, Malwarebytes is costing you absolutely nothing. When it comes to cleaning up an infected computer, Malwarebytes has always been free and I recommend it as an essential tool in the battle against malware.
Install Malwarebytes, follow on-screen instructions. Click Scan to start a malware-scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to finish. Once completed, review the Search.xyz adware detections.
Click Quarantine to continue.
Reboot Windows after all the adware detections are moved to quarantine.
Continue to the next step to remove unwanted programs and malware
Remove malware with Sophos HitmanPRO
In this malware removal step, we will start a second scan to make sure there are no malware remnants left on your computer. HitmanPRO is a cloud scanner that scans every active file for malicious activity on your computer and sends it to the Sophos cloud for detection. In the Sophos cloud both Bitdefender antivirus and Kaspersky antivirus scan the file for malicious activities.
When you have downloaded HitmanPRO install the HitmanPro 32-bit or HitmanPRO x64. Downloads are saved to the Downloads folder on your computer.
Open HitmanPRO to start installation and scan.
Accept the Sophos HitmanPRO license agreement to continue. Read the license agreement, check the box, and click on Next.
Click the Next button to continue Sophos HitmanPRO installation. Make sure to create a copy of HitmanPRO for regular scans.
HitmanPRO begins with a scan, wait for the antivirus scan results.
When the scan is done, click Next and activate the free HitmanPRO license. Click on Activate Free license.
Enter your e-mail for a Sophos HitmanPRO free thirty days license. Click on Activate.
The free HitmanPRO license is successfully activated.
You’ll be presented with the malware removal results, click Next to continue.
Malicious software was partially removed from your computer. Restart your computer to complete removal.
Bookmark this page before you reboot your computer.
If you need help, you can ask for my help using the comments below.
