How to remove Search-story.com

About Search-story.com

Search-story.com is a typical browser hijacker that makes changes to users’ browsers without permission. Browser hijackers are pretty minor infections but they certainly are annoying. They are also pretty common, and most users will have encountered one at least once. Because of how they behave, hijackers are quite noticeable infections. They make unwanted changes to browsers and set questionable websites as homepages, and try to redirect users to sponsored pages. Those redirects are the primary reason why hijackers exist in the first place. While hijackers aren’t malicious themselves since they do not directly harm the computer, the redirects they perform can lead to serious issues. They can redirect to dangerous websites, containing malware or scams.

Generally, browser hijackers are installed by users unknowingly, via the bundling method. They come attached to freeware as extra offers, which are authorized to install alongside. In order to prevent the installation of the offers, users need to manually deselect them. This is not difficult to do as long as users pay attention to how they install free software.

While hijackers may seem harmless, and they generally aren’t dangerous, they should not be permitted to remain installed on a computer. Not only do they install without explicit permission, but they also perform unwanted changes, all for the sake or redirecting to certain sites, whose owners want to make revenue from increased traffic. There is no reason why users should put up with it, and the sooner they delete Search-story.com, the better. For those unsure about how to begin the Search-story.com removal process, we will prepare instructions to help.

Browser hijacker spread methods

The developers of browser hijackers, adware or other potentially unwanted programs often bundle their items with legitimate freeware in an effort to make users install them, as otherwise it would not happen. And it’s quite an effective method because many users do not pay enough attention to how they install programs to notice anything being attached. If users want to prevent these unwanted installations, they primarily need to opt for Advanced (Custom) settings during freeware installation. Default settings will hide the items, thus it’s necessary to use Advanced to make them visible. Users will see a list of what items are attached, and will be able to deselect them. Unchecking the few boxes is all it takes. Doing this takes mere seconds, and having to get rid of the already installed items would take much longer. Users should also pay closer attention to where they download their programs from. It’s necessary to choose better sources to avoid installing something unpleasant.

Should users remove Search-story.com?

Once a browser hijacker installs, it will immediately implement certain changes to users’ browser, whether they’re using Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. The homepage of those browsers will be changed to Search-story.com, which means it will load every time the browser is launched. These changes will be irreversible while the hijacker is still present on the computer because it will keep overriding all changes users make.

The website will somewhat resemble Google, whether it’s done on purpose or not. The site will also promote a search engine, which we suggest users not use. Such search engines are used to redirect users to certain websites, so users who do use it should be extra careful with the results. Results may lead to questionable websites, ones that have nothing to do with what users were searching for and simply want to make revenue. While the majority of such sites will be harmless, some may actually pose a threat to users’ computer. Before redirecting users, hijackers do not check the security of the sites, so they can easily be harmful. Some could be hiding malware on them, while others may be promoting scams. Thus, it’s necessary to be cautious. And just to be on the safe side, users should avoid downloading any programs promoted in the search results.

Browser hijackers also collect information about users, such as IP addresses, sites visited, search queries, etc. It’s often the case that the collected information is then shared with unfamiliar third-parties. While it’s not personal information, it doubtful users want any kind of data about them to be shared with unknown parties. To avoid that, users should always be careful about which sites they use. They should also familiarize themselves with sites’ Privacy Policies in order to understand how data is handled.

Search-story.com removal

Users should be able to uninstall Search-story.com manually. It’s not a difficult process, but we will provide instructions below this article to help. If the manual method proves to be too difficult or does not get rid of the problem, users should obtain anti-spyware software. The security program would take care of everything without users having to do anything.

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Quick Menu

Step 1. Uninstall Search-story.com and related programs.

• Windows 8
• Windows 7
• Windows XP
• Mac OS

Remove Search-story.com from Windows 8

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel choose Programs and Features and select to Uninstall a software.

Uninstall Search-story.com from Windows 7

Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features → Uninstall a program.

Delete Search-story.com from Windows XP

Click Start → Settings → Control Panel. Locate and click → Add or Remove Programs.

Remove Search-story.com from Mac OS X

Click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications. Select applications folder and look for Search-story.com or any other suspicious software. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash, then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

Step 2. Delete Search-story.com from your browsers

• Internet Explorer
• Chrome
• Firefox
• Safari

Terminate the unwanted extensions from Internet Explorer

1. Tap the Gear icon and go to Manage Add-ons.
2. Pick Toolbars and Extensions and eliminate all suspicious entries (other than Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Oracle or Adobe)
3. Leave the window.

Change Internet Explorer homepage if it was changed by virus:

1. Tap the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of your browser and click Internet Options.
2. In General Tab remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Press Apply to save changes.

Reset your browser

1. Click the Gear icon and move to Internet Options.
2. Open the Advanced tab and press Reset.
3. Choose Delete personal settings and pick Reset one more time.
4. Tap Close and leave your browser.
5. If you were unable to reset your browsers, employ a reputable anti-malware and scan your entire computer with it.

Erase Search-story.com from Google Chrome

1. Access menu (top right corner of the window) and pick Settings.
2. Choose Extensions.
3. Eliminate the suspicious extensions from the list by clicking the Trash bin next to them.
4. If you are unsure which extensions to remove, you can disable them temporarily.

Reset Google Chrome homepage and default search engine if it was hijacker by virus

1. Press on menu icon and click Settings.
2. Look for the “Open a specific page” or “Set Pages” under “On start up” option and click on Set pages.
3. In another window remove malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
4. Under the Search section choose Manage Search engines. When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search websites. You should leave only Google or your preferred search name.
   

Reset your browser

1. If the browser still does not work the way you prefer, you can reset its settings.
2. Open menu and navigate to Settings.
3. Press Reset button at the end of the page.
4. Tap Reset button one more time in the confirmation box.
5. If you cannot reset the settings, purchase a legitimate anti-malware and scan your PC.

Remove Search-story.com from Mozilla Firefox

1. In the top right corner of the screen, press menu and choose Add-ons (or tap Ctrl+Shift+A simultaneously).
2. Move to Extensions and Add-ons list and uninstall all suspicious and unknown entries.

Change Mozilla Firefox homepage if it was changed by virus:

1. Tap on the menu (top right corner), choose Options.
2. On General tab delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
3. Press OK to save these changes.

Reset your browser

1. Open the menu and tap Help button.
2. Select Troubleshooting Information.
3. Press Refresh Firefox.
4. In the confirmation box, click Refresh Firefox once more.
5. If you are unable to reset Mozilla Firefox, scan your entire computer with a trustworthy anti-malware.

Uninstall Search-story.com from Safari (Mac OS X)

1. Access the menu.
2. Pick Preferences.
3. Go to the Extensions Tab.
4. Tap the Uninstall button next to the undesirable Search-story.com and get rid of all the other unknown entries as well. If you are unsure whether the extension is reliable or not, simply uncheck the Enable box in order to disable it temporarily.
5. Restart Safari.

Reset your browser

1. Tap the menu icon and choose Reset Safari.
2. Pick the options which you want to reset (often all of them are preselected) and press Reset.
3. If you cannot reset the browser, scan your whole PC with an authentic malware removal software.