Do you know what SearchSeries is?
SearchSeries is introduced to people as a legitimate, trustworthy search tool, but our research team does not agree. Instead, we believe that this seemingly harmless extension is a potentially unwanted program – or PUP – that was created to learn more about your behavior and that is primarily used to expose you to an unreliable search engine. So, if you are not yet decided whether you want to install this extension, we suggest that you hold off, at least until you read this report. If you already have decided that you want to remove SearchSeries, we have a guide that will help you achieve that. If you are completely lost, you do not understand the PUP, and why deleting it is a recommendation, you should continue reading.
Although the creator of SearchSeries is not disclosed, this potentially unwanted program is clearly part of the webcoapps family, just like BoosterSearch, Cranchit, SearchOpedia, SearchConverter, and many other PUPs that, at first sight, look harmless but have been proven to be unreliable. It is likely that you found it at chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/searchseries/anokeahlkigacehkfemgjnakbdadibjp. Google Chrome users generally trust the Chrome Web Store, but many PUPs have been found to be promoted via it. This is why it is a must to research every single program even when it is presented via a reliable app source or when its official download site looks legitimate. Needless to say, you are in bigger trouble if you downloaded SearchSeries from a third-party website or using a software bundle. If that has happened, there is a good chance that you now need to delete other threats that came bundled with it.
SearchSeries screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
After installation, SearchSeries introduces portal.search-series.com via the New Tab page and feed.search-series.com as the default search provider. The first page displays a search box and free tools, such as a calculator and a free file converter. If you search the web using the PUP, it redirects to Yahoo Search. This does not seem like a terrible thing because this is a well-known and respected search engine that users expect to deliver trusted search results. Well, SearchSeries plays on that by modifying the results you see. It injects sponsored content, and because you are likely to interact with the results without suspecting an issue, you might end up clicking on unreliable links. Without a doubt, if you act carelessly, you could get yourself into trouble. Unfortunately, we are not introduced to the advertisers and other parties that the PUP works with, and so there is no knowing of what the sponsored content could promote. On top of that, both the PUP’s creator and the associated parties could spy on you using data-tracking technologies.
It goes without saying that we recommend deleting SearchSeries. This extension is not useful at all, and while it provides access to a few free widgets, you could easily find alternative tools that offer the same services. As for the search engine, it is clearly unreliable, and it is much safer to use Yahoo Search on its own. Of course, you can choose any other reputable search tool to browse the web. Before you remove SearchSeries, it is a good idea to scan your operating system to see what other threats might exist. Hopefully, nothing else that requires removal is found, but if threats are uncovered, consider employing a legitimate anti-malware program that could automatically clean and secure your entire operating system.
Remove SearchSeries from Google Chrome
- Open the browser, tap Alt+F key, and choose More tools.
- Click Extensions and then Remove the undesirable extension.
- Tap Ctrl+Shift+Delete keys and then click the Advanced tab.
- Select a time range, check the boxes, and click Clear data.
In non-techie terms:
If you want to browse the web efficiently, you have to choose a search tool that is trustworthy, reliable, and truthfully beneficial. SearchSeries does not offer such services. It was created to modify Yahoo Search results by injecting sponsored content, and we are sure that you do not want to see that. You also might not want to have information about your browsing activity tracked and shared with unknown parties, who include advertisers. While deleting SearchSeries manually is not difficult (see guide above), it is also important that you take this time to consider employing anti-malware software. Note that it can automatically delete PUPs and more serious threats, as well as keep your operating system clear from malware in the future.