Do you know what Audiovisualizer Search is?
Our research team says that Audiovisualizer Search is a browser hijacker. It means that this application modifies your browser’s settings without your permission and that consequently exposes you to an entire range of security threats. In this description, we will discuss these types of intruders in greater detail. We will also tell you how to remove Audiovisualizer Search from your system. If you only are concerned about that, feel free to scroll down to the bottom of this description for the manual removal instructions. Also, do not forget to leave us a comment if you have further questions.
There are a lot of Chrome extensions out there that can be easily categorized as potentially unwanted programs. It means that the extensions themselves are not malicious, but they come with certain features that could be deemed undesirable. Therefore, computer security experts are strongly against adding such extensions to your browsers, especially if you do not really need them. The same applies to Audiovisualizer Search, as well. The browser hijacker is an integral part of a browser extension that can be also found on the Chrome Web Store. This might look official enough to persuade you that the extension is reliable, but that is rather far from the truth.
What’s more, even if you add Audiovisualizer via the Chrome Web Store, its page does not offer a lot of comprehensive information. It just says that “Audio Visualizer, works on any website. Press icon or ‘Ctrl+Q’ to start/stop.” So it does not even say what the extension is supposed to do. You should get the idea yourself from the emoticons used in the introduction and the name of the application. However, the official source is obviously not the main place where you can get this extension.
Audiovisualizer Search screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
It is very likely that Audiovisualizer Search reaches you either bundled with freeware or through some annoying pop-ups. Software bundling is a very common freeware distribution method, and it does not even surprise us anymore, that users have to deal with multiple intruders they do not recognize. Another thing we have to emphasize is that there might be a few other unwanted applications installed on your computer if your browser settings are already modified. Why? Because Audiovisualizer Search and other similar intruders travel in packs. So if you do not remember adding this extension to your browser, the chances are you installed it bundled with some freeware app, and now you have a lot of potential threats on-board.
Luckily, browser hijackers do not hide their presence, so you can start dealing with it immediately. Because you will know that something is off at once. The application will change your default search engine to either go2searching.com or my-search.com. Either way, all of your search queries will be redirected to the modified Google Search engine. Although most of the search results will look relevant, you will probably see a lot of modified results, too. These results will be modified according to your likes and preferences because Audiovisualizer Search will have collected data on your web browsing habits via tracking cookies.
Aside from being somewhat intrusive, what are the dangers of modified search results? The main problem with these results is that you cannot trust them. Audiovisualizer Search probably promotes third parties that use the extension to distribute their content. For the most part, it should be commercial content that requires you to click it in order to increase their web traffic. However, in the worst-case scenario, you might end up on some dangerous page that is associated with malware distribution. Albeit that is a very long shot, you should take all the potential risks into consideration.
You will find the manual removal instructions for Audiovisualizer Search right below this description. If you think that manual removal is too much for you, you can delete the intruder with a powerful antispyware tool of your choice. It would be the most efficient option because you have to remember that there might be more potential threats installed, and you have to take care of them all.
Should you have more questions about browser extensions or computer security in general, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team is always ready to assist you.
How to Remove Audiovisualizer Search
- Press Win+R and type %LocalAppData%. Click OK.
- Go to Google\Chrome\User Data\Default.
- Locate and remove Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data files.
- Open your Chrome browser.
- Press Alt+F and go to More tools.
- Open Extensions and remove Audiovisualizer.
- Restart your browser.
In non-techie terms:
Audiovisualizer Search may not be your worst nightmare, but this application is sure a problem if you did not intend to have it on your PC. Please consider scanning your system with the SpyHunter free scanner because you may have to remove several applications. Also, with a reliable antispyware tool of your choice, you will be able to protect your system from similar intruders in the future. Please remember that your system security should be one of your top priorities.