MetaSearch virus - How to remove

MetaSearch is an annoying program that is categorized as a browser hijacker. It enters computers without users’ consent and makes changes in the settings of Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and some other browsers. The program can take over multiple browsers at the same time. You will easily notice this hijacker as, first of all, it changes homepage and search engine to MetaSearch.com.

It is not recommended to use this page as your main search provider, as MetaSearch is related to various advertisers and it will not provide you reliable search results. It can in fact lead to privacy and security related issues, so it is recommended to remove MetaSearch virus as soon as you notice it on any of your browsers.

About MetaSearch virus

MetaSearch virus is regarded as a browser hijacker because it uses unfair methods to infiltrate into computers and it completely takes over your browsing. Not only it includes numerous sponsored links and commercial advertisements among your search results, but it can also redirect users to potentially dangerous pages. As a result, your computer may be infected with malware and other viruses.

 

 

 

 

 

What is more MetaSearch virus can be installed with other potentially unwanted applications, like adware, browser plugins, etc. These programs can collect information about your browsing habits, search history and even get access to your private information. Basically, you will be posed to additional risks that can involve you into various marketing related projects and make it impossible to browse regularly anymore.

Distribution Methods of MetaSearch virus

MetaSearch virus is distributed along other freeware. Pay attention that some of the free applications suggest you to change your homepage to different pages or add extra applications free of charge. These modifications are usually listed at one of the installation steps or at the Terms and Agreements of a program. Always be skeptical about them. Most likely, you will just download something useless that will only create problems for you.

If your computer has already been affected, remove MetaSearch virus as soon as possible. Below you will find tutorial that explains how to eliminate this hijacker from Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari. The easiest way to fix this issue is by running a full system scan with a reputable anti-malware program, for example, Spyhunter. StopZilla, Malwarebytes or similar. You may need to restore the settings of your browsers after that anyway.

Automatic Malware removal tools

Manual removal of MetaSearch virus

How to remove MetaSearch virus using Windows Control Panel

Many hijackers and adware like MetaSearch virus install some of their components as regular Windows programs as well as additional software. This part of malware can be uninstalled from the Control Panel. To access it, do the following.

• Start→Control Panel (older Windows) or press Windows Key→Search and enter Control Panel and then press Enter (Windows 8, Windows 10).
• Choose Uninstall Program (if you don't see it, click in the upper right next to "View by" and select Category).
• Go through the list of programs and select entries related to MetaSearch virus . You can click on "Name" or "Installed On" to reorder your programs and make MetaSearch virus easier to find.
• Click the Uninstall button. If you're asked if you really want to remove the program, click Yes.
• In many cases anti-malware programs are better at detecting related parasites, thus I recommend installing Spyhunter to identify other programs that might be a part of this infection.

How to remove MetaSearch virus from macOS

Delete MetaSearch virus from your applications.

1. Open Finder.
2. In the menu bar, click Go.
3. Select Applications from the dropdown.
4. Find the MetaSearch virus app.
5. Select it and right-click it (or hold the Ctrl and click the left mouse button).
6. In the dropdown, click Move to Bin/Trash. You might be asked to provide your login password.

TopHow To remove MetaSearch virus from Google Chrome:

• Click on the 3 horizontal lines icon on a browser toolbar and Select More Tools→Extensions
  
• Select all malicious extensions and delete them.
  
• Click on the 3 horizontal lines icon on a browser toolbar and Select Settings
  
• Select Manage Search engines
  
• Remove unnecessary search engines from the list
  
• Go back to settings. On Startup choose Open blank page (you can remove undesired pages from the set pages link too).
• If your homepage was changed, click on Chrome menu on the top right corner, select Settings. Select Open a specific page or set of pages and click on Set pages.
  
• Delete malicious search websites at a new Startup pages window by clicking “X” next to them.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to MetaSearch virus, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on a Chrome’s menu button (three horizontal lines) and select Settings.
• Scroll to the end of the page and click on theReset browser settings button.
  
• Click on the Reset button on the confirmation box.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

How To remove MetaSearch virus from Firefox:Top

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla window and select the “Add-ons” icon (Or press Ctrl+Shift+A on your keyboard).
  
• Go through Extensions and Addons list, remove everything MetaSearch virus related and items you do not recognise. If you do not know the extension and it is not made by Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, Oracle or Adobe then you probably do not need it.
  
• If your homepage was changed, click on the Firefox menu in the top right corner, select Options → General. Enter a preferable URL to the homepage field and click Restore to Default.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to MetaSearch virus, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla Firefox window. Click on the Help button.
  
• ChooseTroubleshooting Information on the Help menu.
  
• Click on theReset Firefox button.
  
• Click on the Reset Firefox button on the confirmation box. Mozilla Firefox will close and change the settings to default.
  

If the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program to identify malicious entries.

How to remove MetaSearch virus from Microsoft Edge:Top

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Microsoft Edge window. Select “Extensions”.

• Select all malicious extensions and delete them.

• Click on the three-dot menu on the browser toolbar and Select Settings

• Select Privacy and Services and scroll down. Press on Address bar.

• Choose Manage search engines.

• Remove unnecessary search engines from the list: open the three-dot menu and choose Remove.

• Go back to Settings. Open On start-up.
• Delete malicious search websites at Open specific page or pages by opening the three-dot menu and clicking Delete.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to MetaSearch virus, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings

• Click on Edge's menu button and select Settings. Click on the Reset Settings button on the left.
• Press the Restore settings to their default values option.

• Click on the Reset button on the confirmation box.

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

How to remove MetaSearch virus from Safari:Top

Remove malicious extensions

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences.
  
• Select Extensions and uninstall MetaSearch virus and other suspicious extensions.
  
• If your homepage was changed, click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences and choose General tab. Enter preferable URL to the homepage field.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings(older versions) If you are still experiencing any issues related to MetaSearch virus, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Reset Safari…
  
• Select which options you want to reset (usually all of them come preselected) and click on the Reset button.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

Manual removal