WebSearcher.eu

Posted by Max Lehmann on September 2, 2015

What is WebSearcher.eu?

WebSearcher.eu is not your typical search engine. It is, in fact, regarded as a browser hijacker that you will definitely want to remove, because it automatically changes your browser’s homepage to WebSearcher.eu. This hijacker works only on Mozilla Firefox and comes as either a browser extension or an executable application. If your computer becomes infected with the executable version, then, chances are, that it will display commercial advertisements. Needless to say that commercial ads are unwelcome and can even pose a threat to your computer’s security as their content is unreliable. We have more detailed information regarding this particular browser hijacker, so if you have it on your computer and you want to get rid of it, then we invite you to read the full article. test test test

Where does WebSearcher.eu come from?

Browser hijackers are disseminated using various means. Most of the time they are bundled with other malicious applications, such as adware and put up for download on piracy websites. WebSearcher.eu is also known to be bundled, but most users get it from Mozilla’s add-ons website. This browser hijacker is not very malicious, because it does not prevent you from changing your homepage. It is considered a hijacker, because it changes the homepage without your consent. Nevertheless, this is subject to change as a newer version could prevent you from modifying your browser’s homepage address.

What does WebSearcher.eu do?

The two known versions of this application function differently. The version that you can download from Mozilla’s add-ons page obviously adds and extension to Firefox and automatically changes the homepage to WebSearcher.eu. But even as an ordinary search engine WebSearcher.eu is useless, because it uses Google.com to do the searching for it. The real bad thing about it is the fact that it modifies Google’s search results and injects links to promoted websites that can be unreliable, because this search engine itself is untrustworthy. Furthermore, this hijacker is used to collect information regarding your searches as well as your computer’s IP address, browser type, and installed applications. Moreover, the collected information can be given away to third parties in the event of a company sale or merger. The version that you can download from its main website at Websearcher.eu does not change the homepage or add an extension to Firefox. Instead, it is installed as a regular application. However, it does not have a user interface. This version works in the background and can be used to download adware to display third-party ads of unverified legitimacy.

How to remove WebSearcher.eu

The executable application has an uninstaller found on your computer’s list of applications. However, running the uninstaller will not remove it. In order to get rid of it completely you must first terminate two processes via the Task Manager. One is called Service.exe and the other is WebSearcherUpdater.exe and only after you kill these processes that you can run the uninstaller. Furthermore, you should delete the WebSearcher folder found in the Program Files folder. The extension for Firefox can be removed via the browser’s list of extension.