Do you know what Searchenger2016.com is?
It looks like Searchenger2016.com is another version of our recently researched browser hijackers called Max-search2016.com, Paper-search2016.com, and Doni2016-search.com. Just like these mentioned applications, the software may change user’s preferred homepage. Consequently, as the browser constantly loads the search engine whenever it is launched, you might feel forced to use it. That is probably exactly what the program’s creators want. While users search the Internet with Searchenger2016.com, the application could show them third-party advertisements, and if they are clicked, the browser hijacker’s developers might receive money for it. Unfortunately, these links may redirect you to unreliable websites as some of them could have malicious content. Thus, it seems to us that the software is not worth to be kept on the system and if you think the same after reading the article, we encourage you to eliminate it with our removal guide.
If you wonder how it happened that you received this browser hijacker, we can tell you there are two most possible scenarios. Some of our readers may have installed the application accidentally by simply overlooking it on another program’s setup wizard. To be more precise, the search engine could be traveling with bundled installers. When users do not pay attention to the given terms on the installation wizard, they often end up accepting additional software they do not need. If you usually do not bother reading it too, we would advise you to be more careful the next time. Besides, you should try to download installers only from reliable sources, e.g. official developer’s web page.
Moreover, it may be that Searchenger2016.com could be spread with suspicious pop-up ads too. Users might come across them while visiting questionable web pages or the ads could be displayed by suspicious programs already installed on the computer. In this case, it would be a good idea to check the system and erase these possible threats. To complete this task, you could use trustworthy antimalware software. Also, always keep it in mind that clicking suspicious ads is never a good idea and if you notice more of them than usual it could be a sign showing there might be suspicious programs on the system.
Searchenger2016.com screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
Searchenger2016.com itself might show you various ads too, e.g., third-party pop-ups, sponsored links, and so on. What users should be worried about is where such advertisements may come from. We do not say all of them could be dangerous, but some of the ads might originate from malicious web pages, so clicking them would lead you to such sites as well. There you could find offers to download adware, potentially unwanted programs, and other suspicious software. Also, in the worst case scenario, you could be redirected to a website that contains malicious applications, e.g. viruses, Trojans, and other. Such threats might be presented to users as useful tools or updates, so it might be difficult to suspect anything.
As a search engine, the application does not seem to be any better than google.com, yahoo.com or other reliable tools. Plus, it is categorized as a browser hijacker, and it could be dangerous to use it. Therefore, we would advise you not to take any risks and delete the browser hijacker before anything bad happens. If you want to keep a search engine as the homepage, you could pick any other one that you prefer, just make sure it is legitimate and safe to use. To eliminate Searchenger2016.com manually, users should scroll a little below and follow the provided removal guide. However, if you want to clean the system from other possible threats or the instructions look too difficult, it would be easier to use a reliable antimalware tool.
Delete Searchenger2016.com
Internet Explorer
- Firstly press Windows Key+R to access the RUN.
- Then type Regedit and click Enter to open the Registry editor.
- Navigate to the particular path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- Locate a value name that is called Start Page.
- Select and then right-click the Start Page to choose the Modify option.
- Delete provided value data (http://searchenger2016.com), insert another link and click OK.
Mozilla Firefox
- Press Windows Key+E to open your File Explorer.
- Look for the following directory: C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{Unique Mozilla user ID}
- Find a file named as Prefs.js and launch with Notepad.
- Look for this line: user_pref(“browser.startup.homepage”, “http://searchenger2016.com”) and replace http://searchenger2016.com with another link, then press Ctrl+S.
Google Chrome
- Open the File Explorer.
- Go to this location: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
- Find files titled as Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data.
- Right-click each file separately and choose Delete.
In non-techie terms:
Searchenger2016.com is not a trustworthy search engine, and you should not be using it if you wish to keep your computer clean and secure. The application comes from unknown publishers and acts as a browser hijacker, which means it can modify user’s browser settings. Another thing you should be aware of is that while using the search engine, it may show you potentially dangerous third-party ads. For this reason, it is advisable not to take any chances and remove the application as soon as possible. Users can do it either manually with the instructions above or with a trustworthy antimalware tool.