What is Websearch.searchuniverse.info?
Websearch.searchuniverse.info masquerades as a legitimate search engine and it even resembles Google.com in terms of web design. However, we advise that you remove it because it is nothing more, but a browser hijacker that is disseminated in a dishonest manner and tries to enter your computer without your authorization. We want to point out several key issues that are an inherent part of this alleged search engine. So if you have it on your PC, then we invite you to read this whole description.
Where does Websearch.searchuniverse.info come from?
Our researchers say that Websearch.searchuniverse.info was created by the same group that is responsible for Websearch.searchdwebs.info, Websearch.hotsearches.info, and Websearch.simplesearches.info, among other browser hijackers. Note the web addresses of all of these hijackers. It is obvious that they come from the same source and their main pages look nearly the same. So this particular browser hijacker comes from an established family of infections that are set to enter your computer without your consent.
Browser hijackers are distributed using many different methods — some come with accompanying browser extensions or applications, while others are injected into a browser by a malicious installer. To our knowledge Websearch.searchuniverse.info’s developers prefer the latter method rather than the former as we have found no examples of this type of browser hijackers being distributed together with a browser add-on. Thus, research has shown that this particular hijacker comes in malicious software installers that inject it into your browser during the installation of the third-party software. Furthermore, you cannot opt out from installing it as the installer is programmed to modify your browser’s settings without your approval.
How does Websearch.searchuniverse.info work?
It is a typical browser hijacker that has no unique traits. Hence, it does not stand out from the pack in terms of function. Our malware researchers have discovered that this hijacker is compatible with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Furthermore, it is set to replace the homepage of Internet Explorer and Firefox, as well as the new tab page for Chrome. This is done for one obvious reason — making money.
Make no mistake, this browser hijacker is dedicated to generating advertising revenue. Its secretive developers are in the web monetization business which means that they will modify the search results of Websearch.searchuniverse.info and its counterparts to include promotional links and advertisements. If you choose to use it for searching the web, then get ready for an unpleasant experience. When you enter e search query in Websearch.searchuniverse.info, then it will redirect you to another search engine called Worldsearchpro.com that usually presents three search results. If you click on one of the results, then you will get redirected to Search.us.com. Search.us.com features promotional links at the top of the search results. The promotions are embedded in the search results, so everything above the small text that says “Web Results for…” are promotional links. So using this browser hijacker for performing web searches is a bumpy ride as you will get redirected from one unknown search engine to the other. The end result is that you might not get the search results you wanted.
Browser hijackers are inherently unreliable because they end to promote shady content that comes from unknown sources. For example, Websearch.searchuniverse.info is currently configured to promote a potentially unreliable program called Reimage. This application is supposed to be a PC repair and optimization tool, but many users complain about it being useless. Furthermore, this application is paid, so these are the kinds of promotions you will run into if you use Websearch.searchuniverse.info. Note that Reimage is currently promoted on a banner found on the main search page. However, this sets a precedent for similar content being featured in the search results.
How to remove Websearch.searchuniverse.info?
To sum up, Websearch.searchuniverse.info is an illegitimate search engine that our malware researchers have classified as a browser hijacker due to its distribution methods that involve injecting this hijacker into the web browser without your consent. However, it is also known feature promotional links on its main page and in its search results that make it highly unreliable. So we recommend that you remove it using the instructions below.
Removal Guide
Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Simultaneously press Windows+R keys.
- In the resulting dialog box, enter regedit and click OK.
- In the Registry Editor, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- Find Start Page string on the right side of the window.
- Right-click on it and click Modify.
- Enter new homepage address in the Value data line.
Google Chrome
- Simultaneously press Windows+E keys.
- In the resulting Explorer window’s address bar, enter C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
- Locate Preferences, Secure Preferences and Web Data files.
- Delete them or open with Notepad and replace http://Websearch.searchuniverse.info with your desired homepage address.
Mozilla Firefox
- Simultaneously press Windows+E keys.
- In the resulting Explorer window’s address bar, enter C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{Unique mozilla user ID}
- Locate prefs.js and open it with Notepad.
- Replace the homepage address in the string user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://Websearch.searchuniverse.info");
tested removal of Websearch.searchuniverse.info*
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