What is Search Pulse?
Search Pulse is yet another browser hijacker that forcibly replaces your primary search engine with the fake one. Search Pulse targets both Windows and macOS computers so we prepared a universal step-by-step guide that is suitable for all users. It is worth noting that you may pick up this infection while installing some freeware program downloaded from questionable domains. This is the most common distribution method among such type of malware since it allows to infiltrate users’ devices without notice. Once installed, the hijacker modifies settings of web browsers so that a user is forced to carry out searches via http://home.searchpulse.net/ or http://search.searchpulse.net/. All searches are subsequently redirected to a legitimate search engine (Yahoo, Google, or Bing) with a huge amount of commercial links. This is done to make users think that they are dealing with a legit search engine and thus make them visit specific sites for which they get paid. You should react to such activity and remove Search Pulse as consequences might be quite serious, such as privacy issues or infection with other malware. To eliminate this problem, follow our step-by-step guide.
How to remove Search Pulse?
Performing an antimalware scan with Norton would automatically search out and delete all elements related to malware. It is not only the easiest way to eliminate malware, but also the safest and most assuring one.
Norton Antivirus is a well-established tool for Mac users that can clear your computer from malware. Another important advantage of the program is an up-to-date database of computer threats which is perfect to protect your computer in case of a new malware attack.
Steps of Search Pulse manual removal
To make sure that the hijacker won’t appear again, you need to delete Search Pulse completely. For this, you need to remove the application from the Control Panel and then check the drives for such leftovers as Search Pulse files and registry entries. We should warn you that performing some of the steps may require above-average skills, so if you don’t feel experienced enough, you may apply to the automatic removal tool.
Uninstall Search Pulse from Control Panel
As it was stated before, more likely that the hijacker appeared on your system brought by other software. So, to get rid of Search Pulse you need to call to memory what you have installed recently.
How to remove Search Pulse from Mac
- Open a Finder window
- Click Applications line on the sidebar
- Select the application related to Search Pulse right-click it and choose Move to Trash
How to remove Search Pulse from Windows XP
- Click the Start button and open Control Panel
- Go to Add or Remove Programs
- Find the application related to Search Pulse and click Uninstall
How to remove Search Pulse from Windows 7/Vista
- Click the Start button and open Control Panel
- Go to Uninstall Program
- Find the application related to Search Pulse and click Uninstall
How to remove Search Pulse from Windows 8/8.1
- Right-click the menu icon in left bottom corner
- Choose Control Panel
- Select the Uninstall Program line
- Uninstall the application related to Search Pulse
How to remove Search Pulse from Windows 10
- Press Win+X to open Windows Power menu
- Click Control Panel
- Choose Uninstall a Program
- Select the application related to Search Pulse and remove it
If you experience problems with removing Search Pulse from Control Panel: there is no such title on the list, or you receive an error preventing you from deleting the application, see the article dedicated to this issue.
Read what to do if program won’t uninstall from Control Panel
Remove Search Pulse from browsers
How to unlock Windows Group Policies
Before you will started to remove Search Pulse from browser you should perform following instructions in Command Prompt
This step is necessary to delete Windows Group Policies created by Search Pulse
- Start Command Prompt as Administrator
- To do this in Windows 10/8 or Windows 7 click Start and in the search box type cmd. Right-click on the found result and choose Run as Administrator.
- While in command prompt type:
rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers" - Press Enter button.
- Then type:
rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy" - Press Enter button.
- Finally, type:
gpupdate /force - Press Enter button.
Since some of the hijacker threats use a disguise of a browser add-on, you will need to check the list of extensions/add-ons in your browser.
How to remove Search Pulse from Safari
- Start Safari
- Click on Safari menu button, then go to the Extensions
- Delete Search Pulse or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove Search Pulse from Google Chrome
- Start Google Chrome
- Click on More tools, then go to the Extensions
- Delete Search Pulse or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove Search Pulse from Internet Explorer
- Launch Internet Explorer
- Click on the Tools/Gear icon, then select Manage Add-ons
- Delete Search Pulse or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove Search Pulse from Mozilla Firefox
- Start Mozilla Firefox
- Click on the right-upper corner button
- Click Add-ons, then go to Extensions
- Delete Search Pulse or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove Search Pulse from Microsoft Edge
- Start Microsoft Edge
- Click the three-dot button in the upper right corner
- Choose Extensions
- Click the gear icon near Search Pulse or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
- Choose Remove
Reset your browsers
How to reset settings in Google Chrome
- Click on the icon in the right-upper corner
- Choose Settings
- Click Advanced settings
- Click the Reset button
- In “reset” window click the Reset button
How to reset settings in Mozilla Firefox
- Click the icon in the upper right corner
- Choose Help
- Select Troubleshooting Information
- Click the Refresh Firefox… button
How to reset settings in Internet Explorer
- Click on the Tools button
- Go to Internet options
- Go to the Advanced tab
- Click Reset
How to reset settings in Microsoft Edge
- Start Microsoft Edge
- Click the three-dot button in the upper right corner
- Choose Settings
- Under the Clear browsing data category select Choose what to clear
- Select everything and click Clear
If the above-mentioned methods didn’t help in eliminating the threat, then it’s better to rely on an automatic way of deleting Search Pulse.
We also recommend to download and use Norton to scan the system after Search Pulse removal to make sure that it is completely gone. The antimalware application will detect any vicious components left among system files and registry entries that can recover Search Pulse.
