Short on time? Here’s how to remove the www-searching.com redirect in 2024:
- Preliminary Steps. Uninstall Search Module Plus. Once this is done, reset your internet browser’s default search engine.
- 1. Scan Your Device. Run a full scan of your disk using a reliable antivirus like Norton.
- 2. Remove Malware. After the scan is complete, let the antivirus remove all traces of malware.
- 3. Stay Protected From Malware. To avoid more infections, protect yourself with a quality antivirus and exercise common-sense digital hygiene. Norton is my favorite antivirus because it offers flawless malware detection, excellent real-time protection, anti-phishing, and a whole lot more.
If your internet searches are redirecting to www-searching.com, you’ve likely installed a browser hijacker. The www-searching.com browser hijacker is usually part of Search Module Plus, which is a potentially unwanted program (PUP). Search Module Plus alters your browser settings to redirect your internet searches through www-searching.com.
If you have Search Module Plus on your computer, it was probably bundled with freeware or pirated content — if you want to stop getting redirected to www-searching.com, you need to delete the PUPs on your system. And if you have PUPs, there’s a good chance you have other malware, so the best way to restore your system is by using an antivirus.
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Preliminary Step 1 — Uninstall Search Module Plus
You can uninstall Search Module Plus through your computer’s control panel (Finder on Mac) by following our simple steps:
- Uninstall Search Module Plus on Windows 11.
- Uninstall Search Module Plus on Windows 10.
- Uninstall Search Module Plus on Mac.
After Search Module Plus is uninstalled, reset your default search engine and scan your computer with a trustworthy antivirus suite (such as Norton).
Uninstall Search Module Plus on Windows 11
To uninstall Search Module Plus on Windows 11, follow these steps:
- Click on Start located on your computer’s taskbar.
- Type “programs” into the search bar.
- Click on Add or remove programs.
- Navigate the installed program list until you see Search Module Plus. Click the 3 dots to its right and then click Uninstall from the drop-down menu that appears.
- Follow the uninstallation wizard to completely remove Search Module Plus. Then, reset your browser’s default search engine to prevent it from redirecting through www-searching.com.
Uninstall Search Module Plus on Windows 10
To uninstall Search Module Plus on Windows 10, follow these steps:
- Click on Settings in your computer’s start menu. This will bring up the Windows 10 settings menu. Then type “remove” into your search bar and open Add or remove programs.
- Click Apps.
- Find Search Module Plus in the app list.
- Click Uninstall.
- Follow the uninstallation wizard to completely remove Search Module Plus. Then, reset your browser’s default search engine to prevent it from redirecting through www-searching.com.
Uninstall Search Module Plus on Mac
To uninstall Search Module Plus on Mac, follow these steps:
1. On your Mac’s dock, click the Finder icon.
2. Click Applications (usually under the Favorites category in the new window).
3. Find Search Module Plus in the app list.
4. Drag and drop Search Module Plus into the trash icon on your Mac’s dock.
5. Click and hold the trash icon until Empty Trash appears. Click on this to completely remove Search Module Plus. Then, reset your browser’s default search engine to prevent it from redirecting through www-searching.com.
Preliminary Step 2 — Reset your Web Browser’s Default Search Engine
You’ve successfully removed Search Module Plus, but now you have to ensure your web browser’s default search engine isn’t set to www-searching.com.
- Reset Your Web Browser’s Default Search Engine in Chromium (Chrome, Brave, Edge).
- Reset Your Web Browser’s Default Search Engine in Mozilla Firefox.
- Reset Your Web Browser’s Default Search Engine in Safari.
Reset Your Web Browser’s Default Search Engine in Chromium (Chrome, Brave, Edge)
To reset your web browser’s default search engine in Chromium-based browsers, you need to navigate to your web browser’s settings menu. To do this, open the drop-down list in the top right corner of your browser window and click Settings.
Look for the Search engine tab on the left in the settings menu. Clicking on it will bring you to your browser’s search engine options. The first option should be a drop-down list. Click on this and pick your desired search engine from the list.
You’re now ready to scan your computer using a comprehensive antivirus suite.
Reset Your Web Browser’s Default Search Engine in Mozilla Firefox
To reset your web browser’s default search engine in Mozilla Firefox, you need to navigate to your settings menu by opening the drop-down list in the top right of your browser window and clicking Settings.
In your settings menu, look for the Search tab on the left. Click on it to open the search engine options. Under Default Search Engine, click the drop-down list and choose your desired search engine.
You’re now ready to scan your computer using a comprehensive antivirus suite.
Reset Your Web Browser’s Default Search Engine in Safari
To reset your web browser’s default search engine in Safari, open the web browser and click on Safari (located at the top of the browser). In the drop-down menu that appears, click Preferences.
In Preferences, click on the Search tab. The first option in this tab will be Search engine. Click the drop-down list next to this and select your desired search engine.
You’re now ready to scan your computer using a comprehensive antivirus suite.
Step 1. Identify Potential Malware With Your Antivirus
After you’ve successfully deleted the www-searching.com redirect and Search Module Plus, you should run a thorough antivirus scan of your system. If you’ve already been infected with PUPs like Search Module Plus, then there’s no way of knowing how many other malware files you may have on your computer.
To begin, unplug any removable storage devices from your computer. Some malware files can replicate themselves onto USB drives or mobile devices and infect you again later.
Note: Some antiviruses (like Norton) can scan removable devices, but for now, it’s best just to unplug them.
Run a full scan using your antivirus software. The full scan will go over every file and folder on your device, quarantining any malware it discovers. Since this can take a while, you should schedule a scan for when you won’t be using your computer.
Important note: Never cancel a scan early. While it may be tempting if you see a malware file you recognize, you never know how many copies or hidden malware may be on your system. Let the scan finish.
Step 2. Remove the Malware and Delete Any Other Unsafe Files
Your antivirus will show a list of all flagged files. You must look over this list carefully and remove any malware. Avoid deleting any false positives (safe files your antivirus wrongly flags as malware). Advanced users should be able to spot these right away, but if you’re not sure, send a screenshot of your quarantine list to your antivirus’s customer support team for assistance.
Restart your computer once all malware has been removed. This will keep any malware in your system memory from damaging your PC. Then run a full disk scan once more. Fortunately, because many antiviruses (including Norton) know to only look for new changes, the full scan won’t take as long this time.
If there are no more malicious files after the second scan, you can proceed to Step 3. If there are malicious files, repeat steps 1 and 2 until you can scan your computer without finding any malware.
Step 3. Keep Your Device From Getting Re-Infected
You’ve now seen how easy it is to install malware. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are continually developing new ways to attack computers in 2024. That’s why you must take the appropriate precautions.
- Keep Your OS, Software, and Drivers Updated: The latest version of an app or OS is always the safest. Developers frequently release fixes for security vulnerabilities in their software to prevent exploitation by hackers. Running outdated software on your computer leaves you exposed to these threats. Ensuring your device is up-to-date is crucial. Most apps allow you to check for updates through the settings menu and enable automatic updates.
- Avoid Downloading Suspicious Files: Free downloads often come bundled with PUPs like Search Module Plus. It’s vital to avoid downloading suspicious files, including freeware and pirated content, from unreliable sources. While caution is essential, most antivirus programs offer tools to block dangerous sites and scan downloads for harmful content.
- Secure Your Wireless Network and IoT Devices: Protecting your wireless network and Internet of Things (IoT) devices is another key step to staying safe from threats. Unsecured networks can be easily breached by hackers, allowing them to spread malware or take control of your systems. Use strong passwords to secure your network and all connected devices — I strongly recommend using a reliable password manager like 1Password for this.
- Download a Reliable Antivirus Program: Beyond practicing safe browsing habits, using a quality antivirus program is essential to avoid threats like fake sites that could cause redirects to www-searching. A reliable antivirus, such as Norton, will block malicious sites, quarantine threats that penetrate your defenses, and offer a range of other protective features.
3 Best Antivirus Programs for Removing www-searching.com Redirects
Quick summary of the best antiviruses for removing www-searching.com redirects:
- 🥇 1. Norton 360 — Best antivirus for getting rid of www-searching.com redirects.
- 🥈 2. Bitdefender — Lightweight antivirus to remove www-searching.com redirects.
- 🥉 3. TotalAV — Intuitive + beginner-friendly antivirus for removing PUPs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is searching.com malware?
Searching.com (or www-searching.com) is an unsafe search engine that steals user data and redirects searches to unsafe sites — the Search Module Plus browser hijacker will alter your browser’s settings to make searching.com your homepage.
Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) like Search Engine Plus are usually downloaded with freeware or pirated content. If your internet searches are redirecting through www-searching.com, you should follow our steps to uninstall the potentially unwanted program (PUP) causing this to happen, then scan your PC using a secure antivirus suite like Norton.
How can I remove www-searching.com?
The best way to remove www-searching.com is to find and uninstall the app that’s redirecting your search results in your internet browser. This app is most likely Search Module Plus (but there are other browser hijackers that can redirect your search results, too). Follow our steps to safely remove these apps.
Note: Once you’ve uninstalled the PUP redirecting your search, you should run a virus scan using a comprehensive antivirus suite like Norton to make sure you have no other malware.
Is www-searching.com safe?
www-searching.com isn’t safe. If your web browser is redirecting your searches through it, you have a potentially unwanted program (PUP) on your PC that’s likely stealing your data and browsing history. In most cases, this PUP is Search Module Plus, but you should check for other PUPs on your PC using a secure antivirus once you’ve uninstalled Search Module Plus.
