What is Search Encrypt? A Guide to Removing It from Your Device
By TOI Staff September 4, 2024 Update on : September 4, 2024
We live in an age where we depend on the internet for basic needs and necessities. We require the Internet for even our day-to-day tasks. While this has created incredible comforts and conveniences for us, there are some things that we should be aware of while browsing the web. Various malware and viruses can harm your device or potentially put your information at risk. This malicious software is designed by people who can’t mind their business. They are called hackers and cyber-criminals. They can put your device at risk by using their shady links and websites. Today in this article, we will talk about a specific software, search encrypt, that potentially does this. Because of these kinds of software, an average amateur cannot safely access the internet. He should be aware of certain things to avoid. We will discuss all of these details in this article below.
What is Search Encrypt?
Search Encrypt is a privacy-focused search engine designed for secure browsing, often used as a browser extension. While it claims to provide anonymity, some users have reported issues, such as increased malware activity, leading to mixed opinions. Some consider it a browser hijacker, while others believe it offers genuine privacy. This article will explain how Search Encrypt works, its potential risks, and how to remove it if necessary.
Is Search Encrypt a Malware?
If we speak technically, as mentioned above, this program is simply a browser extension. Like other numerous extensions, this too is to be downloaded from the internet first. Then you have to add the attachment to whatever browser you want. It supports almost all browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Microsoft Edge. It is not malicious software at first. Many experts have analyzed this extension, and they say that the extension itself is not malicious. Instead, it can take you to some malicious websites. It will download malware-containing programs on your device.
How this website works is that it can take over your browser completely. It can change the browser settings of your browser. It can also mess with the overall interface of your browser. It can redirect you to various other websites as well. These websites may then contain malicious ads and links that can download viruses to your system. Some websites contain links that are very harmful to your device. The most dangerous of these are those links that download suspicious files on your machine without your permission. These files can almost always put your sensitive data at risk. This extension is available on nearly all browsers, so every browser is at stake with Search Encrypt.
What are the risks of having Search Encrypt?
As mentioned above repeatedly, there are no direct risks of having this software on your browser. It is software designed to make your browsing more secure and anonymous. However, you should be aware of some risks associated with this extension. These include:
Data Tracking: While browsing on Search Encrypt, your data gets tracked whatever you do. Hijackers and Cyber-criminals can use this data to blackmail you for your information. This seems to be the exact opposite of what this extension is supposed to do, but you have to look out for it.
Automatic Modifications: The extension can change your browser settings and interfere with how you want your browser to work. This can get irritating, especially for those people who wish to have their browsers fully customized. You can understand your frustration when all the changes that you have made to your browser get reset automatically.
Search Issues: There are some common issues associated with this browser. In addition to being malicious, it also shows restricted search results. This can lead to you not getting complete information regarding some things. Other technical issues are also observed with this extension.
Features: Search Encrypt does not have all the features a regular search engine has. Some things are not available through this software. Most versions of it do not allow for image and video results.
Advertisements: There is a lot of publicity while using Search Encrypt. Although all the ads are not malicious, there are some ads that, if you click on them, redirect you to other websites. These advertisements, if not harmful, indeed are irritating and bothersome.
These are some of the main limitations and risks of having and using this software on your device. Although this extension has some benefits, we suggest you weigh the pros and cons before downloading and installing it on your device.
How can you end up installing Search Encrypt?
There are some ways through which you can come across Search Encrypt. Because it is harmful software, no legitimate and trustworthy websites offer this download. However, there are some ways by which you can intentionally or unintentionally get this extension.
Intentionally downloading the extension: You can do this if you don’t know the harmful effects of this extension. Some websites offer this download, and by accessing these websites, you can easily download and add this extension to your browser.
Downloading the extension by mistake: Even if you know the potential harms of this software, there are ways by which you can end up downloading it. This can be through package downloads, in which you download a package containing multiple files. Most of these files are legitimate. There can be some malicious or harmful files between these files, including the Search Encrypt extension file.
Another way you can get the extension on your device is by catfishing. This is a scenario in which you intend to download something else but end up downloading this file instead.
Whether you have downloaded this extension intentionally or unintentionally, you must immediately remove it. This is for your benefit because, although it may not show immediately, this extension can cause severe damage to your system and you.
How do I know if Search Encrypt is added to my computer?
There are certain things you can notice that may direct you to a conclusion. You can easily detect that Search Encrypt is installed on your system and causing you problems while browsing. You may have seen some changes that you have been facing for a while. That’s why you are reading this article. Here we will tell you whether these changes are because of this software or not. Following are some of the things that if you are experiencing, it is likely because of Search Encrypt.
- Extension List: The most obvious sign, of course, is that when you open your list of extensions, you can simply see Search Encrypt added to it. This confirms that this software is installed on your device and added to your browser’s list of extensions.
- Slow Browsing: Your browser can become laggy and irritating. There may be multiple ads popping up while you’re actively browsing. This can lead to your work experience being slowed down and is another reason you should be aware of it.
- Redirecting Issues: You will also experience this while Search Encrypt is installed on your browser. You get redirected to various malicious and advertisement-containing websites.
You will experience many things like these when this software is installed and added to your web browser. You should immediately get rid of this extension. In the following paragraph, we will tell you exactly how you can do that.
How to remove Search Encrypt from your computer?
Because of all the problems, you have detected that it is the work of this extension. Now you want to delete it but don’t know how precisely. There is no need to worry. You can take the following steps to permanently get rid of this extension.
- First of all, you have to identify the software. Sometimes, it is right there by its actual name, but sometimes, it is under a different name. In this case, you should check your system’s recently installed files.
- Once you’ve detected which file you have to delete, go to your settings and click “uninstall or change a program.”
- Find the Search Encrypt in the list.
- Click on “Uninstall,” and the uninstallation will be done in minutes.
How to Remove Search Encrypt from Google Chrome?
To remove the Search Encrypt extension from Google Chrome, follow these steps:
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click on the three dots (menu) in the upper-right corner of the browser.
- Select “More tools” and then “Extensions”.
- Find the Search Encrypt extension in the list.
- Click “Remove” next to the extension.
- Confirm the removal by clicking “Remove” again in the pop-up window.
Or follow this..
How can you remove Search Encrypt from Mozilla Firefox?
Many people enjoy using Mozilla Firefox instead of Google Chrome. They are generally more concerned about the privacy of their devices. Though Mozilla is better, it isn’t devoid of all the issues. Search Encrypt is very likely to attack Mozilla Firefox. So, if you’re a Mozilla user, you need to be careful about the security stuff. In case you’re facing lagging in your device or you’re noticing glitches, you should check it for Search Encrypt.
If you detect this software in your Mozilla Firefox, there’s no need to worry! You can easily eliminate it from your device. To begin with, you need to reset your all settings and then follow these steps:
- First of all, look at the three small lines in the top right corner of your screen.
- Choose the option of “Help.”
- Go to “More troubleshooting information.”
- Choose “Refresh Firefox” from there.
Or follow this…
You will get your Mozilla Firefox free of Search Encrypt through this process. Some of your information will be lost, but it will be worth it!
How can you remove Search Encrypt from Mozilla Safari?
As we talked about Mozilla Firefox earlier, similarly, Mozilla Safari is also better than Chrome. Again, being better doesn’t guarantee the 100% safety of software. Much software like Safari is open to many viruses and malware. So, you should pay attention to protecting your device. In this regard, you need to know how to get rid of Search Encrypt. Even if it has attacked your Mozilla Safari, you can eliminate it by following these steps:
- First of all, you have to delete Safari from your device.
- Look at the top left corner of your device and find “Safari” there.
- Next, you have to click on “Preferences”.
- In this menu, you have to select the option of “Privacy”.
- In the menu of privacy, now you have to go to the option of managing website data.
- In the new tab, you will see the option of removing all. You have to click on it.
By following this method, your stored data, and your cache data are lost from your device. The plus point is that your device is not completely protected from Search Encrypt.
How can you remove Search Encrypt from Microsoft Edge?
Microsoft Edge is a Chromium-based browser. Many popular chromium browsers are functioning all over the globe. Some of the most reliable ones are Epic, Opera, Microsoft Edge, and Brave Browser. Those who use Edge are well aware of the fact that it’s much safer than Internet Explorer. In the past, Internet Explorer had a huge percentage of users. Over time, their credibility and speed both were decreasing rapidly.
Now, when we talk about the best browsers, Microsoft Edge comes at the top of the list. It provides safety to its user’s information and data. People using the internet are mainly concerned about their privacy issues. So, Microsoft Edge is the best option in this regard.
As we all know that nothing in this life is perfect. No doubt, Edge is better than many other browsers, but still, you need to be cautious. We should never underestimate our enemy, right? So, if Search Encrypt causes any harm to your Edge, you should be ready to eliminate it. Let’s get to know how you can get rid of it:
- First of all, look at the top-right corner of your screen. Click on the three dots.
- There, you’ll see an option of “more extensive settings” on the menu.
- Next, you have to select the option of resetting your settings.
- Once you have gone to the Reset settings, you have to find the “Restore Settings to their default”.
This is how your device will be reset and lose its stored information. All of this lost data will seem worth it to you as you’ve gotten rid of Search Encrypt!
What are the methods to Protect your Computer from Search Encrypt?
Computers are an integral part of our daily life. We have to use our laptops and computers for our office work or study-related work. The young generation can’t imagine their lives with a glitching computer. It delays your work and ruins your to-do list. Those people who are perfect in their routines get disturbed when their timetables get messed up. One of the best ways to keep your computer safe is to keep it miles away from Search Encrypt.
When it comes to your private information on the internet, you should stay highly cautious. If your software is free from all kinds of malware and viruses, you need to maintain it this way. By preventing the invasion of a virus, you’ll save a lot of your time and energy. You’ll not have to worry about losing your data while removing the Search Encrypt. As we discussed earlier, it hijacks your browser software.
This program is not declared malware itself. Instead, it makes it easier for other viruses and malware to invade. The official website of Search Encrypt looks very clean and normal. So, you shouldn’t be trusting it by seeing all the blogs on its site. Moreover, it is a popular software because it has a huge count of people supporting it.
Let’s jump to the important part. How can we protect our virus-free device from Search Encrypt? You don’t need to worry about the safety of your browsers at all! We’ve brought some of the easy ways to keep your devices clean in this article!
- Using a Virtual Private Network:
VPN is a popular service used all over the globe. It is known for its high ability to protect your online information. VPN changes your IP address and converts it to another country’s server. It shifts your location to the country where you’re allowed to run blocked sites. There are numerous popular VPNs available on the internet. You need to be careful while choosing a reliable one. Make sure that the VPN service is safe and secure for your device. You can buy the premium version of any top-rated VPN to get maximum features. Some of the most reliable VPN services are the following:
- NordVPN
- ExpressVPN
- SurfShark
- VPNArea
- PrivateVPN
- Using Anti-Viruses Suites:
You can try using a good and reliable antivirus suite for protecting your software. You should keep in mind that any anti-virus suite doesn’t guarantee you 100% security. You should use it for better results but can’t rely on it forever. Here are a few most competitive antivirus suites for you to install:
- Kaspersky Total Security
- Norton 360
- Bitdefender Total Security
- McAfee Total Protection
- AVG Ultimate
- Trend Micro Maximum Security
Make sure that you’re updating your antivirus suite on time. Along with using it, you should stick to other safety measures for better protection.
- Avoiding Unnecessary Links:
Whenever we’re using a website, we often come across many unnecessary ads. Sometimes we click on the links which take us to another page or a new website. So, we should avoid all such ads and links. This is the easiest way for malware to invade your device.
- Installing new software:
When we install new software, it’s the best time for a virus to penetrate your device. Make sure that you’ve not selected any additional software options. Search Encrypt mostly invades a device using this method. So, you should be extra careful while installing new software on your device.
How can you protect your devices from various viruses?
In the above section, we talked about protecting our devices from Search Encrypt. Now, we will look at different ways to prevent the entry of all viruses in general. For the proper functioning of a browser, it must be virus-free. Viruses not only harm your devices but also put your private information at risk. So, here are a few ways to protect your device from various malware:
- Staying aware of viruses:
When we’re installing a new app or new software on our device, we need to stay more cautious. Currently, our device is more prone to viruses. You should not agree to all the terms and conditions of a new app without reading it. Make sure that you’ve gone through all the policies of that app or software before installing it. Most of the time, new app software allows other viruses to invade your device. Staying aware of such apps will help you in protecting your device.
- Selecting Software:
While choosing a new software for your device, you should be very careful. Be aware of all the spam. You should not use cracks and keygens. They increase the vulnerability of your device to different viruses. When a computer is infected by a virus, all of its information is leaked. So, it’s better to take such precautionary steps.
- Using an Ad-Blocker:
Most ads and popups appearing on our screens are irrelevant to us. So, you should not click on any unnecessary ads. They take you to another website and allow viruses to infect your device. For protection from ads, you should get yourself an ad blocker. It will protect your device from harmful ads. Moreover, it will lessen the threat of being infected by different malware. Some of the most trustworthy ad-blockers are as follows:
- Adblock Plus
- Ghostery
- uBlock Origin
- Brave
- AdGuard
- Privacy Badger
You can install any of these top-rated ad-blockers to restrict the ads.
- Keeping a check on your download files:
The wisest advice is that you shouldn’t download random stuff from the internet. Make sure that you are downloading images and videos from a known source. Before downloading any file, double-check its source, and its credibility. It is the easiest way for a virus to infect your device through a downloaded file.
- Sticking to reliable sources:
Again, you don’t have to consume content from a site that seems fishy to you. You should do safe browsing and stay away from pages with irrelevant ads and links. Make sure that you stick to certain pages for watching or reading daily content. You shouldn’t allow unknown users to have your information.
- Backing up your data:
Are you one of those individuals who ignores the notification of backups? If this is the case, you should change it before you get into trouble. Experts advise that you should back up your data every few days. By doing this, you protect your data even if your device gets attacked by a virus. You can recover all your data once you’ve gotten rid of the malware.
- Downloading an antivirus on your device:
To protect your device from various viruses, you should have anti-virus suites. It is a program that functions to protect your device from viruses. It will not allow any infected link, ad, file, or software to pass on the infection to your device. We have listed some reliable anti-virus suites in this article above.
- Getting updated versions:
No matter which software you’re using, make sure to update it regularly. A new update has better policies and increased security. So, for better functioning of your device, you should install updates. You’ll get to experience new and exciting features!
Wrapping Up:
Search Encrypt is a known hijacker of your browsers. It is not officially declared as a malware or a virus. So, it is legal in many countries, but it isn’t safe for your devices. It allows other viruses to invade and harm your device. Search Encrypt can get into your device through any ad, file, link, or new software. Make sure that you agree to all the policies of the websites by reading them thoroughly.
Another way to protect your device from this software is to avoid unnecessary ads. It is not a virus itself, but it works as a friend for other viruses. It provides them a route to enter and infect your device. We have discussed multiple ways to protect your device in the article above! By following these methods, you will never come across Search Encrypt. Even if it has already invaded your device, you can check out different ways to eliminate it!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Search Encrypt is a privacy-focused search engine designed to keep your searches private and secure.
No, it is not malware itself. Yes, it makes it easier for malware to attack your device, but it doesn’t attack directly. If Search Encrypt was malware, it would have been banned years ago.
The protection of your device should be your priority. If your device gets infected, the security of your device will be at risk. Moreover, you will lose all your stored data. But using Search Encrypt doesn’t involve any direct harm. It makes your browsing more secure. If you want to use it, we advise you to take care of such risks. Make sure that you’re taking care of your device’s security.