What is Search.searchwamtv.com? And how does it function?
Search.searchwamtv.com is a search engine associated with the browser extension named “Watch More TV Now” and is developed by Polarity Technologies Ltd. This company is known to spawn countless of browser hijackers and potentially unwanted programs so it’s no surprise that Search.searchwamtv.com is also classified as both. The “Watch More TV Now” extension is considered to be a new version of the Watch TV Now extension which was also created by Polarity Technologies Ltd. a few months earlier.
Search.searchwamtv.com seems to be look like a movie-themed search engine as it allows users to access movie streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu. Its main page consists of quick links to Gmail, Yahoo, Amazon and other links to popular websites. Because of this, a lot of users were tricked into downloading and installing this suspicious search engine. And besides when you try to use its search engine you’ll get nothing but modified search results which were injected with a bunch of ads like links, pop-ups and banners that confuses the hell out of you as they almost fill up the entire screen making it hard for you to actually look for any relevant information. You should also be aware of this program’s redirect tendencies that may lead you to potentially dangerous websites such as tech support scams or phishing sites.
Moreover, this hijacker also has the ability to monitor all your browsing activities. According to its Privacy Policy, it might collect both personally and non-personally identifiable information which according to them is “necessary” in maintaining and improving their services. However, the information might also be shared with their affiliated third parties and may be misused. This clearly jeopardizes your security and privacy. Hence, removing Search.searchwamtv.com from your computer is necessary.
How does Search.searchwamtv.com spread online?
This PUP/hijacker spreads on software bundles where it is included as an optional application offered next to the main program offered in the bundle and is idden under the Custom or Advanced installation setup. Whenever you install any freeware or shareware, you give indirect permission for PUPs and browser hijackers to enter your system without you knowing it. Thus, if you want to prevent this from occurring again, make sure that you select the Custom or Advanced installation method so you could detach any optional applications like Search.searchwamtv.com that were added in the bundle. This way, you’ll be sure that no undesired programs gets past your eye and that you’ll be free of any browser hijackers or PUPs.
Refer to the following removal guide to delete Search.searchwamtv.com from your computer.
Step 1: Reset your browsers to their default state.
Google Chrome
- Tap Win + E to open File Explorer.
- Key in %LocalAppData%\Google\Chrome\User Data\ into the bar at the top. Note that Windows XP users need to enter %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\.Look for the folder that represents your profile in Chrome and open it.
- Open the any suspicious-looking {random name} folder representing your Chrome Profile. If profiles do not exist, you need to open the folder named Default.
- Look for the files named Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data , or open them using a text reader and then overwrite the hijacker’s URL represented via them and then delete them.
- Close the File Explorer
- Empty the Recycle Bin.
Mozilla Firefox
- Tap Win + E to open File Explorer.
- And then go to:
%AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\
- Look for the folder that represents your profile in Firefox and open it.
- Look for js and open it in Notepad.
- Replace http://Search.searchwamtv.com in the user_pref(“browser.startup.homepage”, “http://Search.searchwamtv.com “); with your preferred address.
- Save the changes and close Mozilla Firefox.
The next step below is not recommended for you if you don’t know how to navigate the Registry Editor. Making registry changes can highly impact your computer. So it is highly advised to use PC Cleaner Pro instead to get rid of the entries that the hijacker had created. So if you are not familiar with the Windows Registry, skip to Step 12 onwards.
However, if you are well-versed in making registry adjustments, then you can proceed.
Internet Explorer
- Tap Win + R to launch Run.
- Type in regedit and tap Enter.
- Go to the following location:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- Look for a value named Start Page.
- Right click on it and then click Modify.
- Replace http://searchwamtv.comwith a reliable web address and then press OK.
- Close the Registry Editor.
- Empty the Recycle Bin.
Step 2: Tap the Win + E keys to open File Explorer.
Step 3: Navigate to the following directories and look for suspicious files associated to Search.searchwamtv.com and delete it/them.
- %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
- %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
- %TEMP%
Step 4: Close the File Explorer.
Step 5: Empty your Recycle Bin.
To make sure that nothing is amiss and that Search.searchwamtv.com is completely removed from your computer, follow the advanced steps below.
Perform a full system scan using SpyRemover Pro. To do so, follow these steps:
- Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot
- After that, the BIOSscreen will be displayed, but if Windows pops up instead, reboot your computer and try again. Once you’re on the BIOS screen, repeat pressing F8, by doing so the Advanced Option shows up.
- To navigate the Advanced Optionuse the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit
- Windows will now load the SafeMode with Networking.
- Press and hold both R key and Windows key.
- If done correctly, the Windows Run Boxwill show up.
- Type in explorer http://www.fixmypcfree.com/install/spyremoverpro
A single space must be in between explorer and http. Click OK.
- A dialog box will be displayed by Internet Explorer. Click Run to begin downloading the program. Installation will start automatically once download is done.
- Click OK to launch it.
- Run SpyRemover Pro and perform a full system scan.
- After all the infections are identified, click REMOVE ALL.
- Register the program to protect your computer from future threats.