What is Search Encrypt Browser Hijacker and How to Remove It

Abeerah Hashim  - Security Expert
Last updated: December 4, 2023
Read time: 17 minutes
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Search Encrypt is a harmful browser hijacker. This article explains why and how to remove it from any browser in any operating system.

THE TAKEAWAYS

Search Encrypt is a controversial browser extension. Some consider it a privacy tool, while others think it is malware. The truth is more subtle. It is a browser hijacker indeed. It does nothing harmful in itself, but it will enable others to harm. That’s why you need to be aware of it and remove it if it’s on your computer already.

Search Encrypt is neither a virus nor a piece of malware. But it shows suspicious and annoying behavior similar to those search engine extensions that are malware indeed.

This article will tell you about Search Encrypt: what it is, how it spreads, and what it does to your system. But most importantly, it will tell you how to get rid of it once and for all.

Search Encrypt: What is it?

You can find a wide variety of opinions about what Search Encrypt is. According to the project’s website, it’s nothing but a harmless browser extension with a private search engine. Moreover, the Search Encrypt staff is adamant about this software: it’s nothing like a virus or malware.

And we can’t contradict that assertion -at least from the most technical point of view. Search Encrypt won’t perform any malicious operations on your browser or system. However, it will open the doors for other actors to gain some access to your device and be as intrusive as they please.

So, the spectrum of reviews about Search Encrypt goes from calling it malware (a browser hijacker) to a privacy-focused search engine extension that will allow you to browse the web with complete anonymity.

Search Encrypt: Is it malware?

Some reliable privacy experts have examined Search Encrypt’s behavior closely. They explain that this “simple browser extension” could look harmless on the surface. Nevertheless, it can (of the fishy kind) and . It also has the potential to . Is this how a neutral and safe piece of software should work?