How to remove MovieSearchZilla browser plugin?

MovieSearchZilla – What is it?

“MovieSearchZilla” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is promoted as a plugin for your internet browser. It is usually marketed as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to search some particular information, as an example, about sporting activity events, make your browser a lot more secure, allow downloading of any kind of video clip, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

However, the “MovieSearchZilla” plugin is fairly pointless because all such features are already embedded to your web browser and/or Windows. Such marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. However often even qualified users are getting caught on such an appeal. In certain scenarios, this hijacker is distributed along with free tools.

MovieSearchZilla Search Hijacker

How harmful is MovieSearchZilla hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, MovieSearchZilla hijacker is likewise considerably unsafe for browser usage. It modifies your search engine to its particular – Moviesearchzilla.com, and likewise changes your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, occasionally, changing it to default with the specified sign).

Besides aesthetic modifications done by MovieSearchZilla hijacker, you may notice that a number of your search questions are redirecting to the unfamiliar web pages, full of web links and ads – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can have web links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting surges if you attempt to launch Google search page by force.

But all these activities are a lot more annoying than really harmful. The main threat, particularly for individuals who have a lot of secret information in their browsers, is embedded in information gathering functions. Cookie files, chats, often-visited web pages, and other activities are simply gathered by MovieSearchZilla hijacker.

How to remove MovieSearchZilla search hijacker?

• Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
• Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
• “Move to quarantine” all items.
• Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
• Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
• Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are often very easy to deal with. Most of the times, they have a separate app that can be found in the list of installed applications. Because of the certain marketing method of MovieSearchZilla hijacker, it can be quickly tracked and deleted manually. However, if you got MovieSearchZilla in the package with a free program, your PC can be contaminated with a lot more severe malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you use anti-malware programs to remove the MovieSearchZilla PUA and all other malware.

You can utilize Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of discovering and clearing away a wide range of malware, including named hijacker. Nevertheless, serious malware, that might be present on your personal computer in the mentioned case, can disable the Windows antivirus tool by editing the Group Policies. To minimize the chanse of such circumstances, it is far better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and erase all unwanted applications on your computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to utilize Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malicious programs, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and directories.

You can spectate the detected malicious apps sorted by their possible harm till the scan process. But to choose any actions against the viruses, you need to wait until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.

To set the action for each detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malware. By default, all the viruses will be moved to quarantine.

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be intercepted by any malware, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be located in the Tools tab.

After choosing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be displayed, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing MovieSearchZilla hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :

After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

References

1. More information about PUAs
2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender