Search.searchmmap.com

Posted by Max Lehmann on February 22, 2017

What is Search.searchmmap.com?

Researchers at our internal labs have discovered a newly crafted browser hijacker that every Internet user should avoid at all times. It goes by the name of Search.searchmmap.com and is known to be roaming the web nowadays. The basic functionality of this hijacker does not differ all that much from its contemporary counterparts. Upon intrusion, it will make devious changes to your web browser's default setting without any authorization. This will certainly make surfing the web a much more annoying and frustrating experience than you are used to. If that was not enough, you should know that in some cases this dubious program could act in a potentially dangerous manner. To find out more about such functionality make sure to read the rest of our report. You will also find a few tips to help you improve your virtual security along with a detailed removal guide that you should use to delete Search.searchmmap.com. test

What does Search.searchmmap.com do?

Search.searchmmap.com is fully compatible with popular browsers such as Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox. Such wide compatibility signifies the fact that a large number of Internet users could be affected by this browser hijacker. The primary indication that this intrusive program is up and fully running on your operating system is a sudden change of your default homepage. This happens because the hijacker is capable of making undesirable modifications to certain registry entries and files that are directly linked to default settings of a browser. Due to silent and quick nature of these alterations most users have no idea about what has happened. The invasive change of your default homepage will certainly have a negative effect on your overall online experience as you will not be able to use a website of your choice as you default homepage. On top of that, you should know that there is something much more alarming about this alteration than you might first think. Upon deeper analysis, our research team has discovered that the seemingly useful search box on the newly set homepage could actually be quite dangerous. As it turns out some results presented by it could host redirect links, which could lead you to sites crafted by malware developers. In some cases just entering them could be more than enough to get your personal computer infected with some unidentified malware. Even though result implemented with redirect links are not an often occurrence it remains a possibility to come across one. Do not take any chances with Search.searchmmap.com and conduct its complete removal using the instructions that we provide below.

How to improve your virtual security

During our investigation, it has been discovered that Search.searchmmap.com is closely related to other browser hijackers such as Search.yourpackagesnow.com, Search.youremailnow.com, and Search.yourinterestscenter.com. Thus, it is not surprising that the hijacker in question is spread in the same manner as its counterparts. Usually, it is up for download on unauthorized third-party download sites, which are known to be the main source of bundled installers. To avoid getting your PC infected in such a way simply obtain all of your software from official developers websites only. You should also be aware of the fact that in quite a few cases this devious program is spread using misleading marketing techniques. Therefore, we highly advise you to always learn as much as possible about the program that you wish to have before even downloading it. Finally and most importantly, you must install a professional antimalware tool if you do not have one already. Such a tool is a crucial part of your virtual security as it provides overall virtual security at all times. This means that it can warn you about any suspicious or potentially malicious program in advance. By taking these precautionary steps, you will make your operating system virtually unbreakable.

How to remove Search.searchmmap.com

The removal of Search.searchmmap.com is paramount if you consider yourself a security conscious user. It is critical to follow the instructions with care as a single mistake could result in an incomplete removal. This means that traces linked to this hijacker might be enough for it to function. If the devious change of your homepage is still intact after the manual removal, make sure to double-check your personal computer for potential leftovers associated with Search.searchmmap.com. If you find manual removal and analysis of your PC too complicated make sure to delete this hijacker by using a reliable antimalware tool.

How to remove Search.searchmmap.com from your browser

Google Chrome

Open your File Explorer.
Go to C:\Users\(your username)\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default.
Select and delete files entitled Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data.
Right-click your Recycle Bin and then select Empty Recycle Bin.

Mozilla Firefox

Open your File Explorer.
Navigate to C:\Users\(your username)\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\(unique Mozilla profile ID).
Right-click a file called prefs.js and select Delete.
Right-click your Recycle Bin and then select Empty Recycle Bin

Internet Explorer

Click the Windows button.
Type regedit into a search field and tap Enter on your keyboard.
Go to to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main.
Right-click a registry value entitled Start Page and select Modify.
Replace the unwanted URL with a new one and then click OK.
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A}.
Modify the unwanted URL's in the following registry values:
a) FaviconURL.
b) FaviconURLFallback.
c) TopResultURL.