You can remove Search.rapidserach.com with the help of this article. Search.rapidserach.com is a search engine related to StepItApp “an elite advertising marketplace installation platform for software distributor” as their About Us page says. The search engine is based around spreading obnoxious and sometimes malicious ads. The site seems to be spreading to users in Venezuela, but it’s not exclusive to that country.
The domain name is either very low effort or registered by someone with severe dyslexia – rapidSERACH.
| Name |
Rapidserach |
| Main Domain Address |
Search.rapidserach.com |
| Solution #1 |
The easiest way to remove Rapidserach and other browser hijackers from your computer is with the help of an anti-malware tool. This software will also protect your computer from severe cyber threats like ransomware |
|
Solution #2 |
You can remove the browser hijacker by hand by carefully following all the guidelines of our step-by-step guide below. |
| Distribution |
PUPs, malicious ads, bundle packs. |
Search.rapidserach.com Browser Hijacker – How Did I Get It?
The StepItApp is an installation software that’s used by some programs. The deal works like this – the company gives them the install software in return for a favor. That favor is to include the hidden option of installing the SR.com browser hijacker. A lot of freeware programs are “free” precisely for that reason. People don’t pay with money, but with personal data (more on that in the next section.)
These installers often include the option of “acquiring” the browser hijacker. That option hides in the Custom, Advanced, or Slow portions of the install wizard. The SR.com browser hijacker can affect Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft’s Edge, and other browsers.
Search.rapidserach.com Browser Hijacker – Should I Remove It?
The answer is “Yes.” Search.rapidserach.com could be harmful to your computer. At the very least it’s annoying. Here’s how the site’s ineptly titled homepage looks like:
Search.rapidserach.com is a search engine that’s both similar and vastly inferior to Google, Bing, or Yahoo Search. Similar to those sites, SR.com collects the personal data of its users and stores it for use by advertising agencies. That is disclosed within the privacy policy of the hijacker:
Stepitapp, its Affiliates, or Service Providers may transfer information that we collect about you, including personal information across borders and from your country or jurisdiction to other countries or jurisdictions around the world. If you are located in the European Union or other regions with laws governing data collection and use that may differ from U.S. law, please note that we may transfer information, including personal information, to a country and jurisdiction that does not have the same data protection laws as your jurisdiction.
The site is basically admitting that they won’t abide by the laws of your country. That can be very dangerous if they’re located in a place that has shoddy privacy laws. It can be even more dangerous if the site doesn’t even abide by any laws. Stepitapp is very fishy, even for a browser hijacker. Our advice is to avoid using it. A search engine can extract a lot of data about you. Data like:
- Your Name.
- IP address.
- Personal Interest.
- Health Problems.
- Pornographic Preferences and Sexual Orientation.
If that’s not enough of a reason to remove the hijacker, nothing would be.
How To Remove Rapidserach And Prevent It From
Happening Again
The best way to prevent this is to avoid installing programs related to the shady StepItApp company. You can usually spot their logo at the lower end of their websites. Another sure way is to check the privacy policy of programs you install.
Another way to avoid browser hijackers, ransomware viruses and other malware is to get an anti-malware tool. You can get a free scan with this malware tool and delete any threats that my be on your computer, including StepItApp’s awful Search.rapidserach.com site.
SpyHunter anti-malware tool will diagnose all current threats on the computer. By purchasing the full version, you will be able to remove all malware threats instantly. Additional information about SpyHunter / Help to uninstall SpyHunter
How to Remove Rapidserach?
For a faster solution, you can run a scan with an advanced malware removal tool and delete Rapidserach completely with a few mouse clicks.
STEP I: Start the PC in Safe Mode with Network
This will isolate all files and objects created by the browser hijacker so they will be removed efficiently.
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1) Hit WIN Key + R
- 2) A Run window will appear. In it, write “msconfig” and then press Enter
3) A Configuration box shall appear. In it Choose the tab named “Boot”
4) Mark “Safe Boot” option and then go to “Network” under it to tick it too
5) Apply -> OK
Or check our video guide – “How to start PC in Safe Mode with Networking”
STEP II: Remove Rapidserach from Windows
Here’s a way to remove the program. This method will work regardless if you’re on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP. Simply selecting the program and pressing delete won’t work, as it’ll leave a lot of small files. That’s bad because these leftovers can linger on and cause all sorts of problems. The best way to delete a program is to uninstall it. Here’s how you can do that:
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1) Hold the “Windows” button (It’s between CTRL and Alt on most keyboards) and press “R”. You’ll see a pop-up window.
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2) In the textbox, type “appwiz.cpl”, then press“ Enter ”.
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3) The “Programs and features” menu should now appear. It’s a list of all the programs installed on the PC. Here you can find the program, select it, and press “Uninstall“.
STEP III: Remove Rapidserach From Your Browser
Before resetting your browser’s settings, you should know that this action will wipe out all your recorded usernames, passwords, and other types of data. Make sure to save them in some way.
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1) Start Mozilla Firefox. In the upper right corner, click on the Open menu icon and select “Add-ons“.
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2) Inside the Add-ons Manager select “Extensions“. Search the list of extensions for suspicious entries. If you find any, select them and click “Remove“.
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3) Click again on the Open menu icon, then click “Options“.
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4) In the Options window, under “General” tab, click “Restore to Default“.
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5) Select “Search” in the left menu, mark the unknown search engine and press “Remove”.
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1) Start Google Chrome. On the upper-right corner, there a “Customize and Control” menu icon. Click on it, then click on “Settings“.
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2) Click “Extensions” in the left menu. Then click on the trash bin icon to remove the suspicious extension.
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3) Again in the left menu, under Chrome, Click on “Settings“. Go under “On Startup” and set a new page.
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4) Afterward, scroll down to “Search“, click on “Manage search engines“.
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5) In the default search settings list, find the unknown search engine and click on “X“. Then select your search engine of choice and click “Make default“. When you are ready click “Done” button in the right bottom corner.
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1) Start Internet Explorer. Go to the “Tools” menu and click on “Manage add-ons“.
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2) In the “Manage add-ons” window, bellow “Add-on Types“, select “Toolbars and Extensions“. If you see a suspicious toolbar, select it and click “Remove“.
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3) Then again in the “Manage Add-ons” window, in “Add-on Types“, Select “Search Providers“. Chose a search engine and click “Set as default“. Select the unknown search engine and click “Remove and Close”.
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4) Open the Tools menu, select “Internet Options”.
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5) In the “General” tab, in “Home page”, enter your preferred page. Click “Apply” and “OK”.
STEP IV: Remove Completely Rapidserach Browser Hijacker Using SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
SpyHunter anti-malware tool will diagnose all current threats on the computer. By purchasing the full version, you will be able to remove all malware threats instantly. Additional information about SpyHunter / Help to uninstall SpyHunter
STEP V: Repair Windows Registry
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1) Again type simultaneously the Windows Button + R key combination
2) In the box, write “regedit”(without the inverted commas) and hit Enter
3) Type the CTRL+F and then write the malicious name in the search type field to locate the malicious executable
4) In case you have discovered registry keys and values related to the name, you should delete them, but be careful not to delete legitimate keys
Further help for Windows Registry repair
STEP VI: Preventive Security Measures
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1) Enable and properly configure your Firewall.
2) Install and maintain reliable anti-malware software.
3) Secure your web browser.
4) Check regularly for available software updates and apply them.
5) Disable macros in Office documents.
6) Use strong passwords.
7) Don’t open attachments or click on links unless you’re certain they’re safe.
8) Backup regularly your data.
