How to delete Searchswift.co browser hijacker

Searchswift.co is a questionable search engine website that will be set as your homepage by a browser hijacker. You being redirected to the site (or some other site you did not set as your homepage) every time you open your browser means there is a browser hijacker installed. Along with the browser’s setting changes, the hijacker will also try to redirect you to sponsored, potentially dangerous websites.

 

 

Searchswift.co is a very generic-looking browser hijacker website promoting a search engine that would insert sponsored content among legitimate search results. If a certain browser hijacker is installed on your computer, Searchswift.co will be set as your homepage/new tabs. In addition, your default search engine will also be changed. Every search you perform, whether through the search bar on Searchswift.co or your browser’s address bar, will go through query.searchswift.co and then Saferbrowser Yahoo Search. It will be pretty obvious that sponsored results are inserted among legitimate ones, and that is done to redirect you to sponsored websites, which is the whole point of a browser hijacker.

Browser hijackers aren’t considered to be serious infections, mainly because they do not directly harm the computer. The changes to the browser’s settings are quite annoying to deal with but they are harmless in the end. However, the same cannot be said about the redirects to questionable sites. While not always the case, it is possible that you could be redirected to potentially dangerous sites that either hide malware or promote scams. The hijacker also collects information related to your browser and then shares it with their affiliates for advertisement purposes.

Considering that the hijacker installs without permission, makes unwanted changes to browsers, tries to redirect you to sponsored websites, and collects information about your browsing to share with unknown third parties, the sooner you remove Searchswift.co, the better.

Browser hijacker distribution methods

Browser hijackers use a method called software bundling to install on users’ computers unnoticed. It’s quite a sneaky method, which is why it’s popular among developers of adware, browser hijackers, and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). Software bundling, as the name suggests, is essentially a method that allows unwanted programs to come attached to legitimate software as free offers. Those offers are added in a way that allows them to install alongside the software without requiring additional permission. They are technically optional but users would need to manually deselect them to prevent their installation. And most users are unable to do that primarily because the offers are hidden unless users opt for Advanced or Custom settings when installing programs.

Keep in mind that most freeware, especially if you download it from unofficial websites, will have added offers. To correctly install that freeware, pay close attention to the process and make sure to opt for Advanced (Custom) settings when given the option. Those settings will display all hidden extra offers, and allow you to deselect all of them. You simply need to uncheck the boxes of those offers. Once that is done, you can continue installing the program.

Some of the offers may seem useful at first sight but installing any of them is not recommended. Software bundling is a rather sneaky installation method and programs that use it should not be permitted to install.

Is Searchswift.co harmful to the computer

It will be immediately obvious when a browser hijacker installs. Whether you’re using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, your homepage will be set to Searchswift.co. Your default search engine will also be changed to Saferbrowser Yahoo Search. These changes will be irreversible while the hijacker is installed, so do not waste your time trying until you uninstall Searchswift.co hijacker.

Your new homepage is a very basic website and only has a search engine. If you use it or perform a search via your browser’s address bar, you will be redirected to query.searchswift.co and then to Saferbrowser Yahoo Search. Be careful of sponsored search results, as they may be inserted among legitimate ones. Some of the results could lead you to potentially malicious sites that may hide malware or promote some kind of scam(s).

Lastly, it should be noted that this browser hijacker tracks your browsing and collect certain information. It will track what you search for, what sites you visit, what content you interact with, and your IP address. The information will also be shared with third parties who will use it for advertisement purposes. There’s really no reason why you should put up with this kind of intrusive behavior, thus the sooner you remove Searchswift.co, the better.

Searchswift.co removal

The quickest way to delete Searchswift.co would be to use anti-virus software like WiperSoft. The program would not only get rid of the browser hijacker but also undo all setting changes, restoring your previous homepage and default search engine. Since browser hijackers aren’t serious infections, it’s possible to remove Searchswift.co manually, though that may take more time and effort.