Uninstall Search.ma-cmf.com virus (Nov 2016 updated) - Instructions
Search.ma-cmf.com virus Removal Guide
Description of Search.ma-cmf.com virus
Everything you should know before using Search.ma-cmf.com
Search.ma-cmf.com virus is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that belongs to browser hijacker’s category. This parasite is not a dangerous computer infection which can damage the system or lock personal files. All it can do is to take full control over the browser and deliver sponsored content. Indeed, it’s the main purpose of all browser hijackers. The developers generate revenue from pay-per-click advertising method, so using affected web browser means browsing through commercial content and risking to meet a serious virus. After one Search.ma-cmf.com redirect, you may end up on a malicious website or install malware. It may happen because the developers deliver third-party content without thinking about its safety and credibility. All they care about is clicks. We strongly recommend scanning PC with a professional anti-malware program such as FortectIntego or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner as soon as this bogus website appears on your browser. Malware removal tool will detect and remove Search.ma-cmf.com virus with all its components. The browser hijacker may have installed additional programs, browser extensions and other components that help it to stay longer on the compromised PC. For this reason, it may be hard to remove hijacker manually; however, if you are willing to take this challenge, follow our step-by-step guide presented at the end of the article.
Browser hijacker usually affects Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox; however, other web browsers’ users may notice suddenly changed homepage, new tab URL and default search engine too. Even though this fake search engine may seem safe to use, it’s just an illusion. It delivers modified search results and includes sponsored links. In other words, some of the relevant links might be replaced with useless and sometimes dangerous third-party links. Using affected web browser, you may also notice suspicious ads that bring strange or ‘too good to be true’ offers. We highly recommend keeping away from ads and links in order to avoid serious computer infections or identity theft. Indeed, Search.ma-cmf.com browser hijacker has another unpleasant feature to spy on the users, collect information about them and sometimes share or sell aggregated data to the third-parties. The hijacker might be interested in your browsing history, latest search queries and other similar information. Besides, it may also install additional browser add-ons that may also monitor your browsing activity or even try to steal personal information. Keep in mind that only Search.ma-cmf.com removal will help to solve all these issues.
How does hijacker spread?
The majority of users have no idea how and when they got infected with Search.ma-cmf.com virus. In fact, it gets inside the computer secretly and silently with the assistance of other programs. Browser hijackers are added as optional programs to regular software installers. When users install a necessary program using ‘Basic,’ ‘Quick’ or ‘Recommeded’ setup, they install all additional application hidden under these settings. Installation wizards do not disclose about optional applications, so computer users should get used to paying more attention to software installation process. ‘Advanced’ or ‘Custom’ setup will help to avoid Search.ma-cmf.com hijack and other PUPs. However, you should not rush clicking ‘Next’ button. Read carefully and look for a checkbox with pre-selected applications or statement saying that you allow this bogus website to replace your default homepage or search engine. Your task is deselecting all these items.
Tips for Search.ma-cmf.com removal
Search.ma-cmf.com removal may be accomplished either manually or automatically. We recommend choosing the latter method because professional and strong antivirus or anti-malware programs will remove browser hijacker with all its components within a moment. All you have to do is to install and/or update the program and run a full system scan. Manual removal is more complicated. To remove Search.ma-cmf.com manually, you have to detect and eliminate all virus-related files. If you decide to choose this method, follow the instructions below.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of Search.ma-cmf.com virus. Follow these steps
Uninstall Search.ma-cmf.com in Windows systems
Follow our step-by-step guide and remove browser hijacker with all its components. Pay attention to those applications that are published by SaferBrowser. When you remove all suspicious applications, check and clean your web browsers as well.
Terminate suspicious programs from Windows 10/8 machines by following these instructions:
- Type Control Panel into Windows search and once the result shows up hit Enter.
- Under Programs, choose Uninstall a program.
- Find components related to suspicious programs.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- Click Yes when User Account Control shows up.
- Wait for the process of uninstallation to be done and click OK.
Windows 7/XP instructions:
- Click on Windows Start and go to Control Panel on the right pane.
- Choose Add/Remove Programs.
- Select Uninstall a program under Programs in Control Panel.
- Click once on the unwanted application.
- Click Uninstall/Change at the top.
- Confirm with Yes.
- Click OK and finish the removal.
Uninstall Search.ma-cmf.com in Mac OS X system
Probably, you won’t find any suspicious apps installed on Mac; however, you should check the list of applications just to be sure that there’s nothing related to SaferBrowser.
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Users who use OS X should click on Go button, which can be found at the top left corner of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Search.ma-cmf.com or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Eliminate Search.ma-cmf.com virus from Microsoft Edge browser
Delete suspicious extensions from MS Edge:
- Go to the Menu by clicking on the three horizontal dots at the top-right.
- Then pick Extensions.
- Choose the unwanted add-ons on the list and click on the Gear icon.
- Click on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other data:
- Click on the Menu and from the context menu select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, select Choose what to clear.
- Choose everything except passwords, and click on Clear.
Alter new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
Reset MS Edge fully:
- Click on the keyboard Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Choose More details arrow at the bottom.
- Go to Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it.
- Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.
When none of the above solves the issue, you might need an advanced Edge reset method, but you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on the PC: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on the selection and choose Delete
- Right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- Copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions:
- Open Edge and click Settings.
- Then find Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions with the Remove.
Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and then Settings.
- Find Privacy and services.
- Locate Clear browsing data, then click Choose what to clear.
- Time range.
- Click All time.
- Select Clear now.
Reset Chromium-based MS Edge browser fully:
- Go to Settings.
- On the left side, choose Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Click Reset.
Delete Search.ma-cmf.com from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Check the list of extensions and look for applications, extensions or toolbars that may be related to Search.ma-cmf.com virus or SaferBrowser.
Remove suspicious Firefox extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the three horizontal lines at the top-right to open the menu.
- Select Add-ons in the context menu.
- Choose plugins that are creating issues and select Remove.
Reset the homepage on the browser:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner.
- This time select Options.
- Under Home section, enter your preferred site for the homepage that will open every time you launch Mozilla Firefox.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Options.
- Find the Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to choose Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data… option.
- Click Cookies and Site Data, Cached Web Content and press Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox:
If none of the steps above helped you, reset Mozilla Firefox as follows:
- Open Mozilla Firefox and go to the menu.
- Click Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
- Locate Give Firefox a tune-up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
- Confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox on the pop-up.
Chrome browser reset
Search.ma-cmf.com virus may have installed various extensions and plugins to the Google Chrome. Look for those entries and remove them immediately.
Find and remove suspicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- In Google Chrome, open the Menu by clicking three vertical dots at the top-right corner.
- Select More tools > Extensions.
- Once the window opens, you will see all the installed extensions.
- Find any suspicious add-ons related to any PUP.
- Uninstall them by clicking Remove.
Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click the Menu and select Settings.
- Find Privacy and security section.
- Choose Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history.
- Cookies and other site data, also Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Alter settings of the homepage:
- Go to the menu and choose Settings.
- Find odd entries in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages.
- Then click on three dots and look for the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome fully:
You might need to reset Google Chrome and properly eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Go to Chrome Settings.
- Once there, scroll down to expand Advanced section.
- Scroll down to choose Reset and clean up.
- Click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Click Reset settings again.
Delete Search.ma-cmf.com from Safari
Check the list of extensions. There might be some plugins, add-ons or suspicious entries related to Search.ma-cmf.com or published by SaferBrowser. Remove them as shown below.
Get rid of questionable extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari.
- Then go to Preferences…
- Choose Extensions on the menu.
- Select the unwanted extension and then pick Uninstall.
Clear cookies from Safari:
- Click Safari.
- Choose Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, find and pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari fully:
- Click Safari and then Preferences…
- Choose the Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in the menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop.
- Then select Empty Caches.
Even if you have completed all the steps above, we still strongly recommend you to scan your computer system with a powerful anti-malware software. It is advisable to do that because an automatic malware removal tool can detect and delete all remains of Search.ma-cmf.com, for instance, its registry keys. The anti-malware program can help you to easily detect and eliminate possibly dangerous software and malicious viruses in an easy way. You can use any of our top-rated malware removal programs: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting browser hijacker
Securely connect to your website wherever you are
Sometimes you may need to log in to a content management system or server more often, especially if you are actively working on a blog, website, or different project that needs constant maintenance or that requires frequent content updates or other changes. Avoiding this problem can be easy if you choose a dedicated/fixed IP address. It's a static IP address that only belongs to a specific device and does not change when you are in different locations.
VPN service providers such as Private Internet Access can help you with these settings. This tool can help you control your online reputation and successfully manage your projects wherever you are. It is important to prevent different IP addresses from connecting to your website. With a dedicated/fixed IP address, VPN service, and secure access to a content management system, your project will remain secure.
Recover files damaged by a dangerous malware attack
Despite the fact that there are various circumstances that can cause data to be lost on a system, including accidental deletion, the most common reason people lose photos, documents, videos, and other important data is the infection of malware.
Some malicious programs can delete files and prevent the software from running smoothly. However, there is a greater threat from the dangerous viruses that can encrypt documents, system files, and images. Ransomware-type viruses focus on encrypting data and restricting users’ access to files, so you can permanently lose personal data when you download such a virus to your computer.
The ability to unlock encrypted files is very limited, but some programs have a data recovery feature. In some cases, the Data Recovery Pro program can help recover at least some of the data that has been locked by a virus or other cyber infection.
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