Do you know what Max-search2016.com is?
Even though there is not much information about Max-search2016.com, from what our researchers managed to learn there is no doubt that the application falls under the category of browser hijackers. As it seems, the software was created to hijack users’ homepages. At the moment it is compatible with the major browsers like Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. If you happened to notice it on your computer as well, we urge to read the article and learn other details about it. Also, we should mention that the software could promote potentially dangerous content and interaction with it might cause you trouble. To assist users who would like to get rid of the browser hijacker, we will add a removal guide below the application.
Our specialists are still not one hundred percent sure about how the application is being distributed, but they think it could be done through questionable file-sharing websites or web pages that users may get redirected to after clicking suspicious advertisements. In either case, the browser hijacker’s presence might indicate that the system is vulnerable to threats. If you do not have an antimalware tool and you occasionally visit or interact with suspicious content on the Internet, it might make it more difficult for the system to protect itself against malware or threats like Max-search2016.com. Naturally, we would advise users to keep away from unreliable web pages and freeware. It may be a good idea to install a reputable antimalware software as well.
The search engine itself looks quite normal compared to other applications alike. It provides you with a search box and even allows you to specify what you are looking for by choosing from specific categories: arts, health, business, and so on. As good as it may sound, Max-search2016.com lacks a couple of things. What we have in mind is Terms of use or End User License Agreement and Privacy Policy documents. To remind you, users should always invest a couple of minutes to read these documents because they describe in what way the software may and may not act. For example, it can explain to the user what kind of personal information the website or application is going to collect and how this data might be protected.
Max-search2016.com screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
Of course, the search engine might not gather much of your private data, especially if you do not type it in the search box, but it is still important to be able to look through is Privacy Policy. Our researchers noticed that there are browser hijackers, which collect information related to user’s browsing habits and share it with their third-party partners. Unfortunately, these third-party partners could do the same when users visit their web pages, and they can gather more than anonymous data. At this point, we should mention that Max-search2016.com might modify search results and inject them with advertising. Moreover, such ads could redirect you to third-party web pages, and not all of them may be reliable. For instance, some sites could try to gather your sensitive data or distribute potentially dangerous software like Trojans, viruses, etc.
From what we have learned Max-search2016.com does not seem to be trustworthy or useful enough to consider it as safe or keep it on the system. If the application does not seem worth enough for you to take any risks with it, we encourage you to eliminate it. After all, there are quite a few reputable search engines you can use instead. Just like we promised earlier, we added a removal guide for users who wish to erase the threat manually. Additionally, you should know that the browser hijacker can be deleted with a reliable security tool as well, so if the instructions seem to be too hard, do not hesitate to use the antimalware software.
Erase Max-search2016.com
Internet Explorer
- Press Windows Key+R, type regedit and click Enter.
- Find a value name called Start Page in the given location:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main - Right-Click the Start Page, choose Modify and replace the following value data with a link of a reliable website: http://max-search2016.com.
- Choose OK to confirm.
Mozilla Firefox
- Use the Explorer to locate the given path: C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{Unique Mozilla user ID}
- Locate a file called Prefs.js and open it with Notepad.
- Find this particular code line: user_pref(“browser.startup.homepage”, “http://max-search2016.com”) and instead of http://max-search2016.com insert a like of a web page you like.
- Press Ctrl+S before you close the file.
Google Chrome
- Access the Explorer and look for this directory: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
- Find files named as Preferences and Secure Preferences, then right-click them separately and select Delete.
In non-techie terms:
Max-search2016.com is a recently created browser hijacker that settles on users’ computers while modifying particular browser data. Because of this, it might be difficult to eliminate the application if you do not know how it hijacked the browser. However, there is nothing to worry about, as the deletion process is not that complicated and the removal guide above can assist you with this task. Also, users can erase the threat with security tool of their choice too. We recommend this option not only for less experienced users but also for those who want to clean the system and acquire a useful tool to protect it against malware.