Eco Search is a browser hijacker that targets Macs

Eco Search browser hijacker is also known as a redirect virus, and is primarily a Mac infection. Because they do not directly damage systems, browser hijackers are not thought to be serious infections even if some users refer to them as viruses. The hijackers are not completely benign, however, because redirecting to sponsored websites and generating profit is their main purpose. As soon as it’s installed, the hijacker becomes instantly obvious, but the installation itself will be rather sneaky. You will note odd browser behaviour, like redirects to random web pages, sponsored content in search results, etc. But some users might not connect the weird behaviour with browser hijacker if they aren’t aware of what they are. A simple search of the signs/website redirected to with a search engine normally leads users to the right conclusion that it is a hijacker. Eco Search

Besides the odd redirects, hijackers also alter browser’s settings. Every time you launch it, you browser will have another homepage/new tabs, which may be hard to reverse. Hijackers can redirect you precisely because they perform those changes to your browser’s settings.

Many users think that hijackers are malicious software or viruses, which is not the case, meaning they cannot install by themselves. While users are normally not aware of this, but they provide consent for the hijacker to install themselves. The bundling method is commonly used by hijackers and other pests to install, which means they come added to free programs as added offers and can install alongside. Continue reading to discover how you can stop these unnecessary installations in the future.

Remove Eco Search as quickly as possible since while it is not the most harmful, it’s still an infection. Hijackers can expose you to plenty of unreliable content, such as malicious software and scams, in addition to your usual browsing being disturbed.

Browser hijacker distribution methods

We’ve said this above, but free software is frequently the reason hijackers are able to install. Bundling programs is how this method is referred to, and it’s basically attaching infections like hijackers to freeware as extra items. Those offers are concealed from users but they’re set to install alongside, which is why bundling software is quite dubious. The installations are fairly easily stoppable, however, as long as you pay attention to how you install software.

When you’re installing freeware, choosing Advanced (Custom) settings is important. Otherwise, the items will stay hidden. Any extra item will be made visible in Advanced, and you’ll be able to deselect it. Deselecting those items is enough to block their installation. Blocking undesirable items from installing from the very beginning takes very little time, but it’s much more time consuming to get rid of already installed infections. You will also avoid installing a lot of rubbish by actually paying attention to program installation processes.

What does the hijacker do

Signs of a redirect virus threat will be immediately apparent because your Safari, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browser will be taken over, and you will be redirected. It will alter your homepage and new tabs to its promoted website and you will be led to it whenever your browser is launched. Another modification made to your browser is your search engine. When you use your browser address bar to search for something, you will be redirected to the hijacker’s site and then get your search results. Sponsored content will be inserted among the legitimate results. Hijackers redirect users to sponsored sites so that traffic and revenue can be generated. A random redirect is evidently particularly annoying, but bear in mind that the web pages might also be damaging. Avoid any interaction with ad or sponsored content while the redirect virus remains installed. Websites you’ll be led to aren’t reviewed, and can easily be unsecure. One of those sponsored web pages may be encouraging you to download harmful malware or attempting to trick you into participating in a scam. Keeping a hijacker installed is a bad idea, even if they aren’t directly damaging to the device.

The hijacker will also be tracking what pages you visit, your searches, IP address, what content you engage with. It’s doubtful that you want the hijacker to spy on you, let alone allow it to share the data with unknown third-parties.

Overall, the hijacker didn’t request your explicit consent to install, made unwanted changes to your browsers, started redirecting you to sponsored websites for revenue, and possibly exposed you to unreliable content. Eco Search deletion is essential, and the quicker you do it the better.

Eco Search deletion

It is easiest to delete Eco Search by using spyware removal software. The spyware removal software will guarantee successful threat deletion. For more tech-savvy users, manual Eco Search deletion shouldn’t be complicated. As long as you successfully delete Eco Search, you should have no problems restoring your browser’s settings.

Offers

More information about SpyWarrior and Uninstall Instructions. Please review SpyWarrior EULA and Privacy Policy. SpyWarrior scanner is free. If it detects a malware, purchase its full version to remove it.

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Quick Menu

Step 1. Uninstall Eco Search and related programs.

Remove Eco Search 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.

Delete Eco Search from Windows 8

Uninstall Eco Search from Windows 7

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

Uninstall Eco Search from Windows 7

Delete Eco Search from Windows XP

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

Remove Eco Search from Windows XP

Remove Eco Search from Mac OS X

Click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications. Select applications folder and look for Eco Search 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.

Eco Search removal from MAC OS X

Step 2. Delete Eco Search from your browsers

Terminate the unwanted extensions from Internet Explorer
  1. Tap the Gear icon and go to Manage Add-ons. Eco Search IE gear
  2. Pick Toolbars and Extensions and eliminate all suspicious entries (other than Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Oracle or Adobe) Eco Search IE toolbars and extensions
  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. Eco Search IE gear
  2. In General Tab remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Press Apply to save changes. Eco Search IE toolbars and extensions
Reset your browser
  1. Click the Gear icon and move to Internet Options. Eco Search IE options
  2. Open the Advanced tab and press Reset. Eco Search IE reset browser
  3. Choose Delete personal settings and pick Reset one more time. Eco Search IE reset
  4. Tap Close and leave your browser. Eco Search IE close
  5. If you were unable to reset your browsers, employ a reputable anti-malware and scan your entire computer with it.
Erase Eco Search from Google Chrome
  1. Access menu (top right corner of the window) and pick Settings. Eco Search Chrome menu
  2. Choose Extensions. Eco Search Chrome settings
  3. Eliminate the suspicious extensions from the list by clicking the Trash bin next to them. Eco Search Chrome extensions remove
  4. If you are unsure which extensions to remove, you can disable them temporarily. Eco Search Chrome extensions disable
Reset Google Chrome homepage and default search engine if it was hijacker by virus
  1. Press on menu icon and click Settings. Eco Search Chrome menu
  2. Look for the “Open a specific page” or “Set Pages” under “On start up” option and click on Set pages. Eco Search Chrome settings
  3. In another window remove malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage. Eco Search Chrome extensions remove
  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. Eco Search Chrome extensions disable
    Eco Search Chrome extensions disable
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. Eco Search Chrome settings more
  3. Press Reset button at the end of the page. Eco Search Chrome advanced menu
  4. Tap Reset button one more time in the confirmation box. Eco Search Chrome reset
  5. If you cannot reset the settings, purchase a legitimate anti-malware and scan your PC.
Remove Eco Search from Mozilla Firefox
  1. In the top right corner of the screen, press menu and choose Add-ons (or tap Ctrl+Shift+A simultaneously). Eco Search Firefox add ons
  2. Move to Extensions and Add-ons list and uninstall all suspicious and unknown entries. Eco Search Firefox extensions
Change Mozilla Firefox homepage if it was changed by virus:
  1. Tap on the menu (top right corner), choose Options. Eco Search Firefox reset confirm
  2. On General tab delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default. Eco Search Firefox reset confirm
  3. Press OK to save these changes.
Reset your browser
  1. Open the menu and tap Help button. Eco Search Firefox help
  2. Select Troubleshooting Information. Eco Search Firefox troubleshooting
  3. Press Refresh Firefox. Eco Search Firefox reset
  4. In the confirmation box, click Refresh Firefox once more. Eco Search Firefox reset confirm
  5. If you are unable to reset Mozilla Firefox, scan your entire computer with a trustworthy anti-malware.
Uninstall Eco Search from Safari (Mac OS X)
  1. Access the menu.
  2. Pick Preferences. Eco Search Safari menu
  3. Go to the Extensions Tab. Eco Search Safari extensions
  4. Tap the Uninstall button next to the undesirable Eco Search 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. Eco Search Safari reset menu
  2. Pick the options which you want to reset (often all of them are preselected) and press Reset. Eco Search Safari reset
  3. If you cannot reset the browser, scan your whole PC with an authentic malware removal software.

Site Disclaimer

2-remove-virus.com is not sponsored, owned, affiliated, or linked to malware developers or distributors that are referenced in this article. The article does not promote or endorse any type of malware. We aim at providing useful information that will help computer users to detect and eliminate the unwanted malicious programs from their computers. This can be done manually by following the instructions presented in the article or automatically by implementing the suggested anti-malware tools.

The article is only meant to be used for educational purposes. If you follow the instructions given in the article, you agree to be contracted by the disclaimer. We do not guarantee that the artcile will present you with a solution that removes the malign threats completely. Malware changes constantly, which is why, in some cases, it may be difficult to clean the computer fully by using only the manual removal instructions.

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