WebSearcher.eu Removal Guide

We have recently come across a rather old browser hijacker called WebSearcher.eu which managed to stay under our radar. Nevertheless, it is still alive and works as intended. We suggest that you remove this browser hijacker due to its unreliable and outright malicious nature. There are a few things to cover about WebSearcher.eu as it may look like an ordinary search engine to most PC users. In a nutshell, its main objective is to promote the search engine and force people to use it. From the very outset, we can say that this hijacker is not very aggressive like most browser hijackers are, but you should get rid of it nonetheless.

This particular browser is quite unique, because it has to very different versions. This hijacker’s main version is put up for download on Addons.mozilla.org (a website that hosts extensions for Firefox). This version has been around as early as March 11, 2014. The other version found on its main website at WebSearcher.eu does not contain an extension for Firefox. It actually works as a background process. It does not change the homepage as it has a totally different purpose. This version of WebSearcher.eu is used to download adware applications. You will not be informed about this. Adware will come uninvited. We have also heard reports that one of the two versions is bundled with malicious applications and featured on some sort of websites. But we did not find such cases so we cannot confirm this. In any case, if this hijacker is bundled, then it will not warn you about its installation.

After downloading the extension your browser’s homepage address will automatically be changed to WebSearcher.eu. This particular browser hijacker differs from the rest of the pack, because you can change the homepage address via browser settings and it will not be changed back like it usually is. Nevertheless, unasked-for change of the homepage is considered malicious. The WebSearcher.eu search engine is also unreliable, because it features sponsored links to partner websites. Besides, the search engine uses Google.com to perform the searches, so why not just use google.com instead? The other version that works as a background process can download various adware applications that can promote unreliable content such as malicious software and websites. This version has two background processes titled Service.exe and WebSearcherUpdater.exe. It is recommended that you remove this hijacker regardless of its version, because it can inflict undesirable consequences on your computer.

The two versions have different removal procedures. The extension for Firefox can simply be removed from its list of extensions and the homepage will be reset to the one that you previously had. The executable application type of this hijacker is a bit trickier to root out. You must first kill its background processes and then proceed to the Control Panel and run its uninstaller. On top of that you will have to manually delete its leftover junk files from the Program Files folder. For detailed instructions, please refer to the removal guide found below.

All things considered, WebSearcher.eu is truly a malicious application that you should remove without any hesitation. It is an intrusive application that promotes an unreliable search engine that is set to promote shady websites. It does not ask you whether you want to change your browser’s homepage. Furthermore, it can download adware that can subject you to unreliable advertisements. There is no justification for keeping this application, so we encourage you to take action right away.

How to get rid of WebSearcher.eu

1. Right-click on the Taskbar.
2. Select Start Task Manager.
3. Go to the Processes tab and locate Service.exe and WebSearcherUpdater.exe.
4. Right-click on them and click End process.

Uninstall the WebSearcher.eu application

Windows XP

1. Click Start and go to Control Panel.
2. Open Add or Remove Programs.
3. Identify the program and click Remove.

Windows 7 & Vista

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Select Control Panel and go to Uninstall a program.
3. Identify WebSearcher.eu and right-click on it.
4. Click Uninstall.

Windows 8 & 8.1

1. Open the Charm bar by moving the mouse cursor to the bottom right corner of the screen.
2. Click Search, enter Uninstall a program and open it.
3. Identify WebSearcher.eu and right-click on it.
4. Click Uninstall.

Windows 10

1. Right-click on the Start menu button.
2. Click Programs and Features.
3. Identify the hijacker and right-click on it.
4. Click the Uninstall button.

Delete WebSearcher.eu leftover files

1. Go to the Program Files folder.
2. Find the folder named WebSearcher.
3. Right-click on it and click Delete.

Remove WebSearcher.eu from Mozilla Firefox

1. Tap Ctrl+Shift+A.
2. Click Extensions and find WebSearcher.eu.
3. Click the Remove button.
4. Done.