What is Search.dm-cmf.com?
According to malware researchers at Anti-spyware-101.com, Search.dm-cmf.com is not a real search engine, even though you can search on it. It is a browser hijacker, and we recommend that you remove it from your computer as soon as the opportunity arises. Its purpose is to replace your browser’s homepage address using deceptive tactics and subject you to modified search results designed to accommodate questionable promotional links. Also, it is worth mentioning that this hijacker will collect information about you and use it for advertising and other shady purposes. There so much more to this search engine than meets the eye, so we recommend that you read this entire article and take action against it.
What does Search.dm-cmf.com do?
Our Internet security specialists say that this browser hijacker is distributed through malicious bundled software installers. It does not come with a browser extension, so it relies on the installer to get it on your computer. When running, the installer interacts with the web browser and replaces its homepage page address with Search.dm-cmf.com. Apparently, this hijacker is compatible with the three most popular browsers that include Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. The obvious intention behind replacing your homepage address without your knowledge is to force you to use it. Of course, you can remove it at any time you want, but some users do not and it can lead to problems in the long run.
Search.dm-cmf.com is not a real search engine because it redirects the search queries you enter in its search box to Yahoo.com. Yahoo.com is a legitimate search engine but, nevertheless, Search.dm-cmf.com can modify your search query so that the search results you see include one and in some cases even more promotional links. The reason its developers resort to deceptive advertising tactics is that people do not want to view annoying and intrusive ads. Therefore, promotional links in search results prove effective as users fail to notice that that is not a legitimate link, but a promotion. The reason we recommend getting rid of this fake search engine is that fact that the promoted links can redirect you to questionable websites that may turn out to be malicious and secretly infect your computer with fake anti-virus applications, ransomware, Trojans, and other malware. Therefore, we consider this search engine dangerous because you cannot expect it to deliver you a reliable and safe service.
Furthermore, we want to add that this browser hijacker can even collect information about you and use it for advancing the agenda of its developers. Indeed, our malware researchers have found that Search.dm-cmf.com can obtain and store information such as your browsing history, entered search queries, geographical location, IP address, Internet Service Provider name, and so on. All of this information is used for various purposes but for the most part it should be used for advertising purposes and to tailor and customize the promotional links for each unique user.
Where does Search.dm-cmf.com come from?
The reason we took a look at it was the fact that this search engine does not provide information about its developer. We looked into it, and it immediately became apparent that Search.dm-cmf.com is a browser hijacker because it is nearly identical to Search.searchlttrn.com, Search.yourpackagesnow.com, Search.yourmapscenter.com, and several other browser hijackers. Evidently, they all come from the same secretive source that has a vested interest in producing multiple browser hijackers.
Our security experts have concluded that this malicious search engine can only be distributed via malicious software installers because it does not come with a browser extension that would manage the hijacking process. As mentioned, malicious installers inject this hijacker into the browser directly and set it as the homepage address. This is done without your knowledge or approval, mind you, so you might not want to keep it.
How do I remove Search.dm-cmf.com?
Indeed, there is no reason or even justification to keep it because it is a malicious search engine that replaces your browser’s homepage through deception, and we recommend that you get rid of it as soon as you can because it can also gather information about you and present you with questionable and even dangerous links in its search results. To remove it from your browser, please consult the instructions below.
Removal Guide
Google Chrome
- Press Windows+E keys.
- Enter C:\Users\{User name}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default in the address line and hit Enter.
- Find and delete Preferences, Secure Preferences and Web Data files.
Mozilla Firefox
- Press Windows+E keys.
- Type C:\Users\{User name}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{Unique Mozilla user ID} in the address box and press Enter.
- Open prefs.js with Notepad.
- Replace http://search.dm-cmf.com/ in user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", " http://search.dm-cmf.com");
- Save and Close.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Press Windows+R keys.
- Enter regedit in the dialog box and click OK.
- In the Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- Find Start Page on the right side of the window and right-click it.
- Select Modify and replace http://search.dm-cmf.com with another URL.
- Click OK.
- Exit the Registry Editor.
tested removal of Search.dm-cmf.com*
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