Searchgosearch.com

Searchgosearch.com is a malicious search engine that falls into the category of browser hijackers because it is distributed in a highly malicious manner in order to hijack your browser’s settings and replace the homepage address, new tab page, and search provider to its own address. You ought to remove it because of the fact that it can replace your browser settings secretly, and also because it can contain ad-supported results that can jeopardize your computer’s security. Furthermore, this hijacker was designed to collect non-personally identifiable information to personalize the ad campaign and make more money. Evidently, this search engine is bad news, but if you want to know more about it, please read this short description.

Searchgosearch.com’s main page looks oddly familiar because it has a white background and a Google-styled doodle that also has the familiar color pattern used by Google. It is worth mentioning that it has a toolbar at the top of the main page that redirects to all kinds of services. For example, if you click e-mail, then this hijacker will redirect you to Gmail, if you click calendar, then it will redirect you to Google’s calendar. Basically, this search engine tries to imitate Google. The reason for doing that is that you would not notice the change if you used Google.com before. This strategy has been successful as this hijacker has been gaining more and more visitors. However, you should not use it because it is malicious.

Evidently, Searchgosearch.com is a hijacker dedicated to hijacking and replacing your browser’s homepage, new tab page address and search provider to its address and make you use it as a regular search engine. The motivation behind this action is simple: to force you to see ad-supported search results that have promotional links that generate revenue when you click them. Promoted links are nothing new, and you can see legitimate search engines feature them because they need the money to provide you with services for which you do not pay. Browser hijackers all so that and Searchgosearch.com is no exception.

Another important point about Searchgosearch.com is the fact that it was configured to collect information about you as stated in the privacy policy that reads: “It is Clever App, S.L.'s policy to respect your privacy regarding any information we may collect while operating our website.” The policy does not go into the details regarding what kind of information is collected exactly. It collects personal information. According to the privacy policy “We will collect personal information by lawful and fair means and, where appropriate, with the knowledge or consent of the individual concerned.” We are concerned by the fact that this information can be used to personalize and customize the ad campaign to each unique user in order to generate more revenue.

According to Searchgosearch.com’s Privacy Policy, it was made by a company called Clever App, S.L which is based in Madrid, Spain. The true whereabouts of the developers are unknown because the provided location can be false. Like so many other browser hijackers, Searchgosearch.com is also distributed with the help of malicious software bundles featured on freeware hosting websites. We believe that this particular browser hijacker can be featured on freeware hosting sites such as Descargar.es, Filewin.com, Filewon.com, and Malavida.es. The installers may have been configured to inject it into your browser without your knowledge or consent, so if you got this search engine accidentally, then you ought to delete it.

In closing, Searchgosearch.com is one shady search engine dedicated to showing you ad-supported search results that can contain links to malicious websites in order to make money. They do not care about your cyber security, but if you do, then you may want to remove this hijacker, and we very much encourage doing so. Please see the guide below on how you can do that.

How to change your homepage address

Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Press Alt+T keys.
2. Select Internet Options.
3. Enter a new URL in the home page address line.
4. Click OK.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Press Alt+T and click Options.
2. Select General.
3. In the Home Page box, enter a new address box.

Google Chrome

1. Press Alt+F keys.
2. Select Settings.
3. Click Set pages and enter a new address.
4. Click OK.