What is Search.searchpat.com?
Search.searchpat.com is a generic browser hijacker that will annoy you to no end. You have to remove this intruder from your system because browser hijackers can easily turn your life into hell. In this article, we will discuss the potential infection routes, the possible complications, and methods to avoid similar infections. Please do all you can to get rid of Search.searchpat.com; otherwise, you might encounter even more dangerous programs that could seriously jeopardize your system’s security. Browser hijacker can be just the beginning, and you have to take care of this issue by nipping the problem in the bud. Do not hesitate to do what is right.
Where does Search.searchpat.com come from?
Users often think that dangerous programs just pop out of nowhere, slithering into their computers without permission. However, when it comes to browser hijackers, users often do not understand that such applications do not have the power to enter the target computer uninvited. So how does that happen?
Our research team suggests that Search.searchpat.com usually spreads through malicious pop-up ads that are displayed by another potentially unwanted program. This would mean that you have installed more unwanted applications before the hijacker entered your system. And here we come across with yet another question: How is it possible to install something you do not want?
The answer is: bundling. Bundling refers to a distribution method employed by adware, freeware, and other potentially unwanted software. It happens when a few applications are “bundled” in one software package and installed by one third-party installer. Usually, such packages can be downloaded from third-party file-sharing sites, with only one program on the frontline, thus misleading the user into thinking that they are installing only one application.
However, sometimes it also possible to install more than one application even if you download some program from its official website. Thus, it is very important that you check all the steps in the installation wizard. It might sound tedious, but it is necessary if you want to avoid Search.searchpat.com and other similar infections. What’s more, it also means that when you get down to removing the browser hijacker, you will also need to terminate a list of other programs, too.
What does Search.searchpat.com do?
As you can already tell, this browser hijacker changes your default homepage address. The program affects Internet Explorer, Chrome, and Firefox. The fact that the program modifies your browser settings without your permission alone should be enough to convince you that you have to get rid of the application. However, if that is not enough, you should also remember that the hijacker displays modified search results, thus exposing you to potentially dangerous content.
How come it can display modified search results? Search.searchpat.com and other browser hijacker use tracking cookies to monitor your online activity. Although it cannot record and steal banking login information and other passwords, it may still find out the websites you frequent and the search keywords you use on a regular basis. Consequently, the hijacker will know what kind of content it can suggest you.
As long as you do not click the links provided by this security threat, it should be fine, but why risk potential infection, when you can get rid of all the threats in a flash? Simply delete the program and then safeguard your computer by similar threats and that will be it.
How do I remove Search.searchpat.com?
You can remove Search.searchpat.com by following the manual removal instructions below this description. Although manual removal is not too challenging, it is possible to find it too tedious. So if you do not want to look for all the browser hijacker’s entries on your own, get yourself a powerful computer security application that would make sure all the dangerous files get removed from your system automatically.
After all, you have to remember that Search.searchpat.com is not the only threat on-board. So if you acquire a computer security tool, it will also take care of the other unwanted programs that generated the pop-ups leading to the browser hijacker infection.
Should you still have any questions about the hijacker or your computer’s security, please contact us by leaving a comment. Also, do leave us feedback if you cannot apply our instructions properly. We will solve all issues as soon as possible.
Manual Search.searchpat.com Removal
Internet Explorer
- Press Win+R and the Run prompt will open.
- Type regedit into the Open box and click OK.
- Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main.
- On the right pane, right-click the Start page value.
- Select Modify and change your homepage address.
- Click OK to save changes and exit Registry Editor.
Firefox
- Press Win+R and type %AppData%. Click OK.
- Navigate to Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\[Unique Mozilla user ID].
- Open the prefs.js file.
- Delete this string from the file: user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://search.searchpat.com");
- Save changes and close the file.
Chrome
- Press Win+R and type %AppData% into the Open box.
- Click OK and go to Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default.
- Delete the Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data files.
tested removal of Search.searchpat.com*
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