Search.searchwfaa.com Removal Guide

Users should learn more about Search.searchwfaa.com before allowing it to replace their homepage, new tab page, or default search engine. Even though the search engine may look like a reliable tool, it is in fact considered to be a browser hijacker. Our researchers believe that the application might have been created to simply generate advertising revenue from the ads Search.searchwfaa.com may show you among its displayed results. If you have already noticed such content, it might be best to stay away from it, since some of the ads could lead you to untrustworthy web pages. We will explain you more about the risks that may arise from the browser hijacker’s usage as you continue reading the article and for those who choose to erase the application we can suggest the deletion instructions added below the text.

Search.searchwfaa.com seems rather familiar to us, as our specialists have tested quite a few other identical threats. Based on our gathered knowledge, it would appear that this browser hijacker could be spread with bundled installers. You may come across such files while visiting unreliable file-sharing web pages. The problem with such sites is that you cannot be guaranteed if the installer you receive will not be malicious or will not suggest you accept any suspicious software. Thus, our researchers advise downloading setup files from more reliable sources. If this is not the first threat to enter the system, you may want to consider using a legitimate antimalware tool as well, since it may help you protect the system more efficiently.

The browser hijacker is easily noticeable on the system as it may replace users default search engine, homepage, or new tab page. In this case, it would be probably hard to miss it because of the software’s strange title. The fact that Search.searchwfaa.com redirects users to Yahoo search engine may also raise a suspicion. Our specialists say the displayed results could be modified by the browser hijacker as they may have advertising content, which should not be displayed while using the original yahoo.com. These ads might be from the application’s third-party partners, and most likely the software’s creators neither review them nor take responsibility for the harm you could receive after clicking the ads. For instance, some of the advertisements might promote malicious programs (e.g. Trojans, viruses, ransomware) or similar applications like adware, suspicious toolbars, potentially unwanted programs, and so on.

All things considered, Search.searchwfaa.com is not a unique search engine you could not replace with a more reliable tool, for example, Google, Yahoo, etc. Therefore, if you want to avoid any possible risks, we advise you to get rid of the browser hijacker and choose a trustworthy website for your homepage, new tab page, and so on. The application can be deleted manually, although the process could be rather complicated. For more details simply check the instructions placed below; however, if they appear to be too difficult, do not hesitate to use a legitimate antimalware tool. It should be easy to use for even inexperienced users, and after the hijacker is gone, you can still keep the tool and use it to protect the computer from malware or other threats.

Eliminate Search.searchwfaa.com

Internet Explorer

1. Press Windows Key+R (to access RUN).
2. Type Regedit and click OK.
3. Wait till the Registry Editor appears and find this path: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
4. Look for a value name that is called Start Page, right-click it and press Modify.
5. Change its value data (http://Search.searchwfaa.com) with a link of a website you like.
6. Save changes by clicking OK.
7. Navigate to this particular path: HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A}
8. Find these value names:
   FaviconURL
   FaviconURLFallback
   TopResultURL
   URL
9. Right-click them separately, choose Modify and change their value data with a website you like.
10. Save these changes by clicking OK.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Press Windows Key+E (to open the Explorer).
2. Look for this directory: C:\Users\user\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\{Unique Mozilla user ID}
3. Search for a file named as Prefs.js.
4. Open it with Notepad and find this line: user_pref(“browser.startup.homepage”, “http://Search.searchwfaa.com”).
5. Replace http://Search.searchwfaa.com link with a different web page, press Ctrl+S and close the file.

Google Chrome

1. Launch the Explorer (press Windows Key+E).
2. Locate this directory: C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
3. Search for files named as Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data.
4. Right-click them separately and press Delete.