Search.searchcads.com

If Search.searchcads.com replaced your default homepage or new tab page, it might have happened because you clicked a malicious pop-up. Because it alters user’s browser preferences, the search engine was categorized as a browser hijacker. Moreover, during the applications research, our specialists found out that it can display potentially harmful third-party content, such as unreliable ads, sponsored links, and so on. To avoid such content and keep your system protected, you should erase the hijacker with the manual removal guide below or a trustworthy security tool. After its deletion users should have no trouble while changing their homepage back to the way it was. If you want to learn how to avoid browser hijackers in the future, you should continue reading the article as it will provide with more facts about Search.searchcads.com.

Firstly, we would like to explain to users how the software enters their systems. It appears to be that in most cases Search.searchcads.com is installed by the users themselves while clicking suspicious pop-ups. These pop-ups could simply appear on your browser while you surf the Internet. However, they come out of nowhere as they could be placed by another questionable program that is probably already on your system. Our researchers say that it could be adware applications, e.g. IntelliTerm. Once you click the displayed pop-up, you could be redirected to a third party website. For example, users could be led to findclassifiedads.co or other unreliable websites. The site could offer users to download an extension, which should set the search engine as their homepage or new tab page.

Search.searchcads.com can replace user’s homepage on major browsers that the application is compatible with, such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. If you suddenly see an unfamiliar search engine that you may have set accidentally, the first thing you should do is read its Privacy Policy and Terms of use documents. If you still have doubts whether the software is reliable or not, try to search for user or expert reviews.

However, in this case, it should be enough to take a closer look at the browser hijacker Terms of use. The document states that the search engine might show you third-party advertising, and it is not reviewed by the application’s creators. Unfortunately, it could be that some of the ads might come from malicious web pages, so it could infect your system with malware. The mentioned document also says that the user takes all responsibility for the damage that he might receive either while using the search engine or third-party products. Thus, if anything bad happens while you interact with third-party ads, you will be solely responsible for it. Perhaps, it seems understandable, but it shows that the software’s creators might not care about their users, especially if they promote potentially harmful content.

Users should also be alerted about one of the Terms of use statements, which says “Find Classified Ads Software may also automatically configure third-party software (such as your Browser or operating system) in connection with your Use of the Find Classified Ads Software.” This could mean that if you replace Search.searchcads.com with another website without deleting the hijacker from the system, it might hijack your browser again. Also, other similar statements claim that the application could download updates and upgrades automatically. For a trustworthy program this could be allowed, but to give such rights to a browser hijacker might be not the best idea.

If you wish to get rid of Search.searchcads.com manually, you could see our recommended removal steps below. The first part of instructions will show users how to erase the browser extension that you might have installed while clicking suspicious pop-ups. The second part will tell users how to reset the affected browser. After you complete these steps, the hijacker should not bother you anymore. Of course, the application can also be eliminated with a trustworthy security tool. Users would simply need to install it and set the tool to scan the system. Afterward, all that would be left is to click a particular button, and the browser hijacker would be deleted together with other possible detections.

Erase Search.searchcads.com extension from the Internet Explorer

Windows 8\Windows 10

1. Press Win+R, type Control Panel and click OK.
2. Choose Uninstall a program, select the browser hijacker and click Uninstall.

Windows Vista & Windows 7

1. Open Start menu, click on Control Panel, and pick Uninstall a program.
2. Mark the unwanted application and select Uninstall.

Windows XP

1. Click on Start, open Control Panel, and select Add or Remove Programs.
2. Select the application and press Uninstall.

Delete Search.yourpackagesnow.com extension from other browsers

Mozilla Firefox

1. Press CTRL+SHIFT+A, then click Extensions.
2. Select the program and click Remove.

Google Chrome

1. Press ALT+F, click Settings and pick More tools.
2. Choose Extensions and mark the browser hijacker.
3. Press the trash bin button and click Remove.

Reset browsers

Internet Explorer

1. Press Alt+X, choose Internet Options and press the Advanced tab.
2. Click Reset and select Delete personal settings.
3. Press Reset again and click Close.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Press the Help icon, select Troubleshooting information and click Refresh Firefox.
2. Press Refresh Firefox again and select Finish.

Google Chrome

1. Press Alt+F, choose Settings, slide down and click Show advanced settings.
2. Slide down again, click Reset Settings, and press Reset.