What is Search-select.co?
Search-select.co is one search engine that you should avoid setting as your browser’s homepage address, and you should remove it if it happens to hijack it because our security analysts have classified it as a browser hijacker. This hijacker is disseminated in a dishonest manner that enables it to enter your computer secretly. Apart from that, it is also configured to show promotional links in its search results and it collects information about your browsing preferences to tailor the ads. It is no secret that Search-select.co was created for the purpose of generating advertising revenue, but you will not benefit from using it in any way, and we suggest reading this article to find out more about it.
What does Search-select.co do?
Our security analysts have discovered that it comes with a browser extension that is compatible with Google Chrome only, so your PC can become infected with this hijacker only if you use this particular web browser. The extension is called Search Select, and it is set to modify your browsers homepage address and new tab page address once you have installed it. The purpose of this is to have a monopoly over your browser’s search-related settings to redirect web traffic.
Researchers have found that this particular browser hijacker is rather unique because you can select Google.com, Bing.com, Yahoo.com or Ask.com as your main search engine. Nevertheless, this does not mean that it cannot alter their search results to include promotional links. We want to clarify that this hijacker is dedicated to generating advertising revenue from promoted content featured in its search results. However, it is also true that the promoted content is supplied by unknown third-parties, and there is no way to guarantee that the promoted content is safe because if it is not, then your computer can become infected with ransomware, spyware, browser hijackers, adware, and so on. We are not saying that an infection will occur, but its possibility cannot be ruled out.
Another important aspect we want to elaborate more on is Search-select.co ability automatically to collect information about you and your browsing preferences. Note that it collects non-personally identifiable information only, so rest assured that it will not obtain your name or your home address. The information it can get, however, includes your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) domain name and your IP address which reveals your approximate geographical location. As far as your browsing preferences are concerned, this hijacker will collect and store the search queries you have entered and visited URL’s, and all of this information will be used to present tailored advertisements that may be of interest to you and make Search-select.co’s owners more money.
Where does Search-select.co come from?
Unfortunately, there is no way to tell who made this hijacker and its accompanying browser extension. They have not been digitally signed by any company — a clear indication that they come from a shady background. Nevertheless, Search Select has found its way onto the Chrome Web Store from which you can download it on your accord. However, Search-select.co would not be a browser hijacker is it was not disseminated in a malicious manner. Our security experts say that its browser extension’s download is featured on advertisements that are shown on your web browser by ad-supported software. So please check your computer for this kind of software or, better yet, scan it with a powerful anti-malware tool.
How do I get rid of Search-select.co?
Since Search-select.co comes with a browser extension, all you have to do to get rid of the both of them is to go Chrome’s list of extensions, locate Search Select and click the Remove button. However, if you allow this hijacker to remain, then there is no telling what might happen because it is apt to advertise shady websites that can jeopardize your computer’s security. You should also scan your PC for adware as this is how you might have got it.
Delete the browser extension
- Open the web browser
- Press Alt+F and select More tools.
- Click Extensions and find Search Select.
- Click the Remove button.
tested removal of Search-select.co*
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