Do you know what SearchWizard is?
If you installed SearchWizard hoping that this tool would enhance your web surfing, we have to disappoint you. This extension cannot do more than redirect you to Yahoo Search, at search.yahoo.com. Since you can set this search tool as your default search provider on its own, the extension becomes completely useless. Not only that. According to our researchers, using this tool could also be dangerous because it is possible that it could showcase sponsored search results by unknown parties. These results would be injected into normal Yahoo Search results, and that could confuse you. Due to both of these reasons, the extension is classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program), and we recommend deleting it. Do you know how to remove SearchWizard? Continue reading, and you will find out.
You might have downloaded the suspicious SearchWizard from the trusted Chrome Web Store. It is found at chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/searchwizard/omlpialhddhdkffnfijnkbdgmpnbmepo. The description attached to this installer suggests that you would get “optimized search results” if you used the extension, but there is no explanation as to how the results would be optimized or how this service would benefit you. This is a red flag. You also should be alerted if you are introduced to the SearchWizard’s installer via a random pop-up or advertisement or if you get redirected to it against your wishes. Aggressive advertising is something that malware and PUPs tend to use, and so you should not overlook that. If you remember being introduced to the suspicious extension via a bundled downloader, you also need to be careful. Perhaps the PUP was bundled with something malicious that you now need to delete from your operating system?
SearchWizard screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
SearchWizard was created by webcoapps, and it has multiple clones, including Searchaize, SearchStreams, or Sealoid. Needless to say, if the tool was truly beneficial and reliable, it would not have tons of clones. All of these PUPs have “portal” pages that are meant to convince users that they are useful. SearchWizard has portal.search-wizard.com, and although the interface of this webpage presents free file and currency convertors, that does not mean that you can trust it. Of course, our biggest issue with this PUP is its search tool. If you enter keywords into the search dialog box, your queries are redirected via feed.search-wizard.com to search.yahoo.com. The PUP can read your browsing history and collect browsing-related information (e.g., your preferences), which should help inject more personalized and attractive sponsored links. Do not trust them unless you want to be potentially exposed to unreliable websites.
Do you want to take risks every time you browse the web? Do you want to take risks for a tool that cannot even offer beneficial services? If you do not, we suggest removing SearchWizard from your Google Chrome browser. You can follow the instructions below if you want to get rid of this PUP manually. If you do that, you will also learn how to clear browsing data, which is an important step as well because you do not want any leftovers of the extension to stay behind. Alternatively, you can employ anti-malware software to perform the removal automatically, and this is the option we suggest choosing if other threats exist or if you simply want to take better care of your operating system and browsers overall.
Delete SearchWizard from Google Chrome
- Launch the browser and tap Alt+F keys on the keyboard.
- Click More tools and then click Extensions.
- Remove the unwanted extension.
- Tap Alt+F keys and click More tools again.
- Click Clear browsing data and then go to Advanced.
- Choose the appropriate time range and boxes.
- Click Clear data.
In non-techie terms:
If you have been convinced that SearchWizard is a beneficial tool, you might have installed it willingly. However, you also might have been pushed into doing that. In either case, we recommend deleting this extension because it does not work that great. First of all, it redirects your searches to Yahoo Search, and you do not need another search tool to give you access to Yahoo Search. Second, it tracks information about your browsing activities and shares it with unknown third-party advertisers. Finally, it modifies the results you see on search.yahoo.com by injecting sponsored links. No wonder users end up wanting to remove SearchWizard. You can eliminate this potentially unwanted program manually using the guide above, but you also should consider employing anti-malware software that could delete the PUP and also secure your entire system at the same time automatically.