Do you know what Search.watchtvnow.co is?
As you can probably tell, Search.watchtvnow.co is a domain that looks like a search engine, but that is rather far from the truth. Although it can work as a search engine, this is a browser hijacker, and the program will try to redirect you to a number of websites that could be dangerous, too. Hence, before this falls out of hand, you should remove Search.watchtvnow.co from your system immediately. It is not hard to terminate this browser hijacker, but you can always rely on a licensed antispyware tool if you find manual removal too challenging.
This browser hijacker was created by Polarity, Ltd. At least this is what it says when we take a closer look at the program’s privacy policy and other official documents. However, even though it does not look like a dangerous security threat, it is more than obvious that the application does not have a direct distribution source. As a result, it is clear that users get this browser hijacker in some other way. Most of the time, people think that browser hijackers enter their systems surreptitiously, but it is very often that users allow such programs into their computers without even realizing it.
How does that happen? It occurs because of the distribution method that is used by this browser hijacker. Just like Search.directionsandmap.com, Search.searchlttrn.com, Search.yourpackagesnow.com, and other programs from the same group, Search.watchtvnow.co is probably distributed in software packages. It means that it comes bundled with various programs, and the focus of a particular download is probably some other application, rather than this hijacker. Otherwise, you would not install it at all. However, when users download programs from third-party sources and various file-sharing websites, they fail to understand the potential risks behind such practice.
Search.watchtvnow.co screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
What’s more, it is usually possible to avoid installing Search.watchtvnow.co, but users fail to read the steps in an installation wizard because they want to be done with the setup as soon as possible. Consequently, this browser hijacker and several other applications are installed on your computer. Perhaps it is a good thing that the hijacker does not try to hide itself. If it did, you would be left confused, wondering why suddenly your computer is not as fast as it used to be. In a sense, browser hijackers provide us with the first sign that something might be terrible off, and they give us time to deal with these security issues.
The behavioral patterns of Search.watchtvnow.co are very similar to other browser hijackers. It will affect Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer by modifying your homepage address. At first, it will look as though this program is there to provide you with relevant search results, but if you were to run a web search via the domain, you would soon see that this program does not offer an original search service. Instead, it uses a modified version of the Yahoo! Search engine. Needless to say, Yahoo! Search is not in any way related to this browser hijacker, but popular search providers often get misused by such intruders because it is easier to use an established engine rather than creating one of your own.
What’s more, using Search.watchtvnow.co can eventually lead to specific computer security problems because the hijacker might inadvertently expose you to dangerous websites. We are not trying to say that the application tries to infect you with malware. Browser hijackers are not about that. They are simply too vulnerable to third-party exploitations, and so it would not be surprising if cyber criminals used this program for their own malicious purposes.
That is one of the main reasons computer security experts always urge to remove such programs like Search.watchtvnow.co from affected computers immediately. When you delete this browser hijacker, be sure to scan your PC with the SpyHunter free scanner. As mentioned, the program could have entered your computer in a software package with other unnecessary applications, so you need to terminate them all.
Also, you can always leave us a comment if you need help with various unfamiliar applications. We also provide tips on system security and safe web browsing. Please note that your web browsing habits might be just as important in protecting your PC and your personal information as the security tool you use.
How to Remove Search.watchtvnow.co
Firefox
- Press Win+R and the Run prompt will open.
- Type %AppData% into the Open box and click OK.
- Go to Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\[User ID].
- Use Notepad to open the prefs.js file.
- Delete this string: user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://search.watchtvnow.co);
- Save changes and close the file.
Internet Explorer
- Press Win+R and type regedit. Click OK.
- Open HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main.
- On the right side, right-click the Start Page value.
- Select Modify and change your homepage address. Click OK.
- Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A}.
- Edit the following values:
FaviconURL
FaviconURLFallback
TopResultURL
URL
Chrome
- Press Win+R and type %LocalAppData%. Click OK.
- Navigate to Google\Chrome\User Data\Default.
- Delete the following files Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data.
In non-techie terms:
Search.watchtvnow.co will take over your homepage when a browser hijacker gets installed on your PC. This may lead to a number of computer security issues, so you need to get rid of this threat at once. You can delete Search.watchtvnow.co manually if you follow the removal instructions above. However, it is a lot faster and more efficient to terminate such an intruder with a licensed antispyware tool. Do what is best to you and your computer by eliminating this threat today.