Search.sh-cmf.com Removal Guide

Do you know what Search.sh-cmf.com is?

Search.sh-cmf.com is a browser hijacker that might insert sponsored links, commercial ads, and other similar content to your search results. The application changes your default homepage, and you may be tempted to try out the new search engine. However, we would not advise it because third-party ads that might appear among search results could lead you to malicious web pages that distribute malware. There are other possible risks as well. Under these circumstances, it is better to get rid of the browser hijacker as soon as possible. Luckily, our researchers not only gathered the most important facts about the application but also prepared a removal guide that will be placed at the end of the article. Thus, learn more about browser hijacker while reading the text and remove Search.sh-cmf.com with the instructions below.

According to our research, the browser hijacker should not affect Microsoft Edge browser, but it is compatible with other popular applications, such as Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox. Search.sh-cmf.com could travel bundled with suspicious freeware applications that users download from torrent or other file-sharing web pages. Usually, bundled software is offered in the setup wizard, provided that you choose custom or advanced settings, which allow you to make more choices. Therefore, if you downloaded the browser hijacker without even realizing, it probably happened because you did not pay much attention to the installation process. Users should always read not only what is written in the setup wizard, but also Privacy Policy and End User License Agreement (EULA) documents of software they are about to install.

The search engine belongs to a company known as Localhost. The browser hijacker’s EULA states that “Localhost collects search query information. Such search query information could be used to serve relevant ads to you and/or to monitor the performance of the search services. Localhost also also collects information about changes made your browser home page.” It means that the search queries could be obtained to determine user’s interests and show targeted ads, which would be based on these interests. For instance, if you would be looking for a particular freeware application, Search.sh-cmf.com might show you ads that advertise third-party software. For example, it could be adware applications that often disguise itself as useful programs, but their real goal is to serve same suspicious ads.Search.sh-cmf.com Removal GuideSearch.sh-cmf.com screenshot
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Moreover, the additional ads in your search results could come from harmful web pages too. Such websites could contain Trojans, viruses, worms and other types of malware. In some harmful sites users have to download or click something, but in other ones, it is enough to enter the web page. Since Search.sh-cmf.com can be replaced with any other trustworthy search engine, we advise you not to take any chances with the browser hijacker and delete it.

If you decide to get rid of the browser hijacker, there are two possible options. The first one is for experienced users who can manage to delete the application from their browsers manually. Mainly, you would have to locate particular paths and edit a few files or Registry entries based on your browser. Perhaps, it would be best to take a look at the instructions below. If they seem too complicated for you, we would advise you to download a trustworthy antimalware tool that would take care of the browser hijacker. After installation, users should launch the tool and let it do a system scan. Afterward, the security tool should show you what was detected, and you would be able to remove all detections at once.

Erase Search.sh-cmf.com from browsers

Internet Explorer

  1. Launch the RUN by pressing Windows Key+R.
  2. Type regedit and click Enter.
  3. Navigate to: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
  4. Locate a Value Name called Start Page.
  5. Right-Click the Start Page and click Modify.
  6. Replace Value Data (http://search.sh-cmf.com/) with a web page you like (e.g. google.com) and select OK.

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Launch the Explorer and go to: C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{Unique Mozilla user ID}
  2. Find a file called Prefs.js.
  3. Open it as a Notepad document.
  4. Locate this line: user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://search.searchotva.com/").
  5. Instead of “search.searchotva.com” type an address of a website you prefer (e.g. google.com)

Google Chrome

  1. Open the Explorer and navigate to: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
  2. Find and erase these files: Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data.

In non-techie terms:

Search.sh-cmf.com is a search engine that is classified as a browser hijacker because it replaces user’s homepage. Also, the application might be distributed with bundled installers, and it works on the main browsers. It does not matter if you downloaded it on purpose or accidentally, either way, our specialists advise you to get rid of it because it could be potentially dangerous. Plus, it could show irritating third-party ads on your search results. Thus, it would be smarter to choose a safer alternative and delete the browser hijacker. You could erase it either with the instructions above or with a reliable security tool.