SpecialSearchOption is a browser extension for Chrome, that, unfortunately, deceits users in using it, but the provided service does not match exactly what is promised, on top of that users are put in questionable situations, where the system’s security and personal privacy become very vulnerable. Although this plain looking plugin does not seem like a threat which might cause lots of damage, you can be sure that long term consequences are not going get fixed easily, that is why the earlier you notice it, the better.
Specialsearchoption Hijacker quicklinks
- What is SpecialSearchOption hijacker
- How does SpecialSearchOption spread
- How to eliminate SpecialSearchOption hijacker
- Automatic Malware removal tools
- Remove SpecialSearchOption extension from Chrome
(Win)
Note: Spyhunter trial provides detection of parasites and assists in their removal for free. limited trial available, Terms of use, Privacy Policy, Uninstall Instructions,
(Mac)
Note: Combo Cleaner trial provides detection of parasites and assists in their removal for free. limited trial available, Terms of use, Privacy Policy, Uninstall Instructions, Refund Policy ,
Briefly speaking, SpecialSearchOption falls into a browser hijacker category, where viruses like Converter.mysearches.co, Dailyfileconverter.co, and mp3andvideoconverter.com, manipulate victims’ search engine default settings, and with the help of malicious script codes change them into their own ones, that allow hackers performing their evils plans without interruption. Because SpecialSearchOption hijacker can appear in your browser with no warning, you may not be aware of the malevolent things it can cause, therefore we suggest you read this article, which will help you understand why is it important to get rid of this virus and best ways to do it.
What is SpecialSearchOption hijacker
SpecialSearchOption is a Dubious Chrome plugin, that pretends to be a legitimate extension, which helps to set the homepage, search engine and the new tab to Yahoo Search, however, once inside the browser, it finds ways to abuse the given permissions and instead of being useful to the users, makes additional changes to benefit from them. The fact that this third-party application, which is not a part of Yahoo at all, doesn’t offer its own browser engine, but tries to put another famous provider into people’s computers is an already questionable feature, but wait until you experience its other qualities.
Some of the most obvious features that will surprise you after the installation of SpecialSearchOption hijacker is that your browser settings won’t just be set to Yahoo-powered search (as you expect) but to Search.ssoextension.com (also Homepage.ssoextension.com and startup.ssoextension.com). This means that any search queries will be first going through the virus, and only then, the results will be displayed from Yahoo engine. Mind you, once the SpecialSearchOption virus takes over, the content you’ll be seeing online will be modified too and present an excessive amount of advertisements with Affiliate links, that generate the revenue for the developers.
Affiliate marketing is very profitable, yet Dangerous because SpecialSearchOption hijacker creators are not checking where the placed links lead, as long as the sponsoring parties pay well enough, therefore you can easily end up clicking on a link that will initiate some adware, trojan or even ransomware infection. Of course, this browser hijacker mentions all about the behavior in its Privacy Policy and in the pop-up window right before the installation, however, rarely people find time to read about the applications that they bring into their systems.
Clearly, there are much easier and safer ways how to change your browser engine settings to Yahoo, and you should not be risking your private data (including very personal details like logins, credentials, age, gender and etc.) nor putting your computer in risky situations where it can easily get infected with malware. Please, remove this extension immediately before anything happened.
How does SpecialSearchOption spread
SpecialSearchOption browser hijacker has a few tricks upon its sleeve when it comes to infecting systems. Obviously, it has a legitimate looking design and space on Chrome’s Web Store, but besides that, the most traffic comes from redirects, pop-up viruses (e.g. Lifecontext.me, Iloacmoam.com), and bundles. Some antivirus programs recognize SpecialSearchOption engine as malicious, according to Virustotal.com analysis, but the majority still don’t, therefore you have to be careful browsing online or getting programs from untrustworthy sources, because very often malicious browser plugins are disseminated by bundling in some other program’s Setup Wizards as additional recommended software. Sometimes you can change what programs you get to install before the setup, running it on Custom mode, but usually, such installers from unofficial sources (torrents, third-party distributing vendors) don’t leave any space for your options. Therefore, the best you can do is getting software from reliable places.
How to eliminate SpecialSearchOption hijacker
Eliminating SpecialSearchOption hijacker is not that hard as it may seem at first. Despite abusing the given authorization, this application is still a Browser plugin that can be deleted like every other one, on the other hand, there are a few things to be cautious about, such as a vulnerable state of your system that was caused by the browser hijacker and exposure to potential threats. 2-viruses.com researchers advise starting the removal process for SpecialSearchOption virus by deleting it manually as shown in the given guide and then using a proper anti-spyware to scan for the leftover harmful files and other infections.
From the plethora of malware removal programs, we picked Spyhunter and Malwarebytes security tools because they are very easy to install and use, they offer free system scans and their databases and detection rates are really accurate. Of course, if you have other preferences, feel free to choose another product from our Reviews page. Using an automatic antivirus program will give you peace of mind, knowing that there is nothing that you have missed during the elimination process and that you can continue on using your computer fully again.
Automatic Malware removal tools
(Win)
Note: Spyhunter trial provides detection of parasites and assists in their removal for free. limited trial available, Terms of use, Privacy Policy, Uninstall Instructions,
(Mac)
Note: Combo Cleaner trial provides detection of parasites and assists in their removal for free. limited trial available, Terms of use, Privacy Policy, Uninstall Instructions, Refund Policy ,
Remove SpecialSearchOption extension from Chrome
Here are the step-by-step removal instructions for SpecialSearchOption plugin from Chrome. Typically such elimination from your browser is enough to get rid of the virus completely and get your default search engine back, however, if you had some special alterations to your homepage or etc. you may have to set them again after the removal of the malicious extension. Mind you, if after removing SpecialSearchOption hijacker you happen to see some strange redirecting links, excessive ads, pop-ups and etc. during your online surfing sessions, it is advised to still run a scan with an anti-malware tool.
TopHow To remove SpecialSearchOption hijacker 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 SpecialSearchOption hijacker, 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.
TopHow to remove SpecialSearchOption hijacker from Google Chrome on Mac:
- Open Chrome browser.
- Enter in the url field “chrome://extensions” address and hit Enter.
- Find SpecialSearchOption hijacker on the extensions list and click on the recycle bin icon next to it.
- Click on 'Chrome' button at the top left corner. Select 'Preferences' on a drop-down menu box.
- Find 'Search' options on Settings tab. If your search engine is changed, click 'Manage Search Engines' and set your preferred search engine.
- On the same page find 'Show home button' checkbox and change your homepage.
- On the 'Preferences' menu window, scroll down to the bottom and find 'Reset settings' button. Click it.
- Confirm your selection and click 'Reset' on the following window.
