Search Incognito – What is it?
Search Incognito was created on October 19 2015, is a deceptive browser extension for Internet browsers like Firefox, Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Edge, Safari, Opera etc. This browser extension is yet officially not classified as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) but its activity analysis report confirms that it has all attributes of a PUP. It is especially created to hijack victims web browsers and redirect them to advertising web pages for marketing purposes. Once your PC gets infiltrated by Search Incognito, it replaces your default search engine with hxxps://www.searchincognito.com, disables browsers protection settings, changes homepage/newtab links as well. Afterwards, this malicious extension generates advertising pop ups, banners, coupons, deals, message boxes and hyperlinked text on each web pages that you open on your browsers.
At first, it may look like a legitimate software but in the end of the you realize that it is nothing more than a creepy and ad-serving program. Whenever you go online your default browser get redirected to unexpected web pages. Even, when search your queries, your request gets redirected to a customized SERP (search engine result page) which contains a bunches of advertisement on the top and poor relevant at the bottom. Despites, it has been reported that this PUP is capable of stealing your credentials like emails, mailing address, phone number, social security numbers, bank transaction details, social accounts login details, PIN Numbers and uploading all of them to Command and control servers. Hence, you can imagine what will happen when credentials go in the wrong hands.
Distribution of Search Incognito Browser Extension
Hackers are using a number of social engineering techniques to convince victims into installing Search Incognito on their PC. Some of them have explained below:
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Via Drive by downloads – is the most used technique to spread this malicious browser extension among Internet addicted PC users. When you visit hacked/ ad-serving websites, they trigger your web browsers to download and install this PUP constantly.
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Through Untrustworthy downloaders – while downloading software from websites like softenic or downloadastro, it recommend you to use their customized downloaders to proceed your regular downloading. Hence, these downloaders download additional software like Search Incognito in background without your knowledge.
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Bundled Software package – during installing software from bundled package, additional programs get installed on your PC without any notification. If you install cracked games or software package, probably your PC may has been infected.
Search Incognito – How to Avoid being Infected by It?
To avoid being infected by this adware, you must keep an Antivirus software installed on your PC. Do not forget to keep your PC updated to the latest update. Thoroughly read EULA of related software that you install on your PC, if you find anything suspicious go through custom installation and block addition installation.
However, to keep your data and PC safe, we strongly recommend you to get rid of Search Incognito from your web browsers as early as possible.
Click to Free Scan for Search Incognito on PC
Know How to Remove Search Incognito – Adware Manually from Web Browsers
Remove malicious Extension From Your Browser
Search Incognito Removal From Microsoft Edge
Step 1. Start your Microsoft Edge browser and go to More Actions (three dots “…”) option
Step 2. Here you need to select last Setting option.
Step 3. Now you are advised to choose View Advance Settings option just below to Advance Settings.
Step 4. In this step you have to Turn ON Block pop-ups in order to block upcoming pop-ups.
Uninstall Search Incognito From Google Chrome
Step 1. Launch Google Chrome and select Menu option at the top right side of the window.
Step 2. Now Choose Tools >> Extensions.
Step 3. Here you only have to pick the unwanted extensions and click on remove button to delete Search Incognito completely.
Step 4. Now go to Settings option and select Show Advance Settings.
Step 5. Inside the Privacy option select Content Settings.
Step 6. Now pick Do not allow any site to show Pop-ups (recommended) option under “Pop-ups”.
Wipe Out Search Incognito From Internet Explorer
Step 1 . Start Internet Explorer on your system.
Step 2. Go to Tools option at the top right corner of the screen.
Step 3. Now select Manage Add-ons and click on Enable or Disable Add-ons that would be 5th option in the drop down list.
Step 4. Here you only need to choose those extension that want to remove and then tap on Disable option.
Step 5. Finally Press OK button to complete the process.
Clean Search Incognito on Mozilla Firefox Browser
Step 1. Open Mozilla browser and select Tools option.
Step 2. Now choose Add-ons option.
Step 3. Here you can see all add-ons installed on your Mozilla browser and select unwanted one to disable or Uninstall Search Incognito completely.
How to Reset Web Browsers to Uninstall Search Incognito Completely
Search Incognito Removal From Mozilla Firefox
Step 1. Start Resetting Process with Firefox to Its Default Setting and for that you need to tap on Menu option and then click on Help icon at the end of drop down list.
Step 2. Here you should select Restart with Add-ons Disabled.
Step 3. Now a small window will appear where you need to pick Reset Firefox and not to click on Start in Safe Mode.
Step 4. Finally click on Reset Firefox again to complete the procedure.
Step to Reset Internet Explorer To Uninstall Search Incognito Effectively
Step 1. First of all You need to launch your IE browser and choose “Internet options” the second last point from the drop down list.
Step 2. Here you need to choose Advance tab and then Tap on Reset option at the bottom of the current window.
Step 3. Again you should click on Reset button.
Step 4. Here you can see the progress in the process and when it gets done then click on Close button.
Step 5. Finally Click OK button to restart the Internet Explorer to make all changes in effect.
Clear Browsing History From Different Web Browsers
Deleting History on Microsoft Edge
- First of all Open Edge browser.
- Now Press CTRL + H to open history
- Here you need to choose required boxes which data you want to delete.
- At last click on Clear option.
Delete History From Internet Explorer
- Launch Internet Explorer browser
- Now Press CTRL + SHIFT + DEL button simultaneously to get history related options
- Now select those boxes who’s data you want to clear.
- Finally press Delete button.
Now Clear History of Mozilla Firefox
- To Start the process you have to launch Mozilla Firefox first.
- Now press CTRL + SHIFT + DEL button at a time.
- After that Select your required options and tap on Clear Now button.
Deleting History From Google Chrome
- Start Google Chrome browser
- Press CTRL + SHIFT + DEL to get options to delete browsing data.
- After that select Clear browsing Data option.
If you are still having issues in the removal of Search Incognito from your compromised system then you can feel free to talk to our experts.
