Search.emailaccessonline.com

Search.emailaccessonline.com is a potentially unwanted website that hijacks Chrome and displays altered Yahoo search results

Search.emailaccessonline.com is a misleading website classified as a browser hijacker and a potentially unwanted program (PUP). That’s an international classification applied to programs and web browser add-ons that are recognized for abnormal or posing a potential risk of involvement in cybercrime. To be more specific, search.emailaccessonline.com is domain directly dependant on a browser’s plug-in programmed to modify a default search engine and start page of a default web browser and display altered Yahoo^[1] search results without users’ consent.

The browser hijacker travels in the disguise of free software that can easily be accessed on multiple free download websites. Most of the download freeware download websites do not explicitly inform users that by downloading most of the apps for free they agree with the installation of a whole software bundle. Upon successful infiltration, the search.emailaccessonline.com virus settles down on the Apps folder and hijacks the web browser that is being set by default at that moment. Subsequently, Google or any other search engine is replaced by Yahoo and the start page screen will prompt https://search.emailaccessonline.com/ URL.

Despite being a non-malicious plug-in, search.emailaccessonline.com hijacker is not a tool in which presence should be welcomed. This misleading search site has been developed by Better Cloud Solutions Ltd – a company that is infamous for a continuous supply of PUPs and active involvement in questionable traffic monetization services. Most of its apps exhibit identical design and behavioral traits. As for search.emailaccessonline.com, it is represented as an easy-to-use search engine that has a user-friendly interface and easily accessible toolbars for the weather forecasts, news, maps, YouTube, and others. However, search emailaccessonline engines along with the bunch of toolbars contain links to third-party websites that may be used for traffic monetization, advertising, distribution of rogue software or even phishing.

The emailaccessonline virus works on a particular scheme which can be outlined as follows:

• When a related add-on is installed, it is immediately added to the list of Applications folder;
• An unwanted extension is added to Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer or any web browser that is used as the main;
• The plug-in forcefully replaces a search engine with a Yahoo engine, which returns filtered, or rather altered, search results;
• The PUP sets  search.emailaccessonline.com as a start page and prevents it from being replaced;
• It injects the Email Access Online toolbar, which redirects to an affiliate website asking to submit a user name and email address.
• Search.emailaccessonline.com virus installs tracking cookies and continuously accumulates information related to users’ web browsing activities^[2].

The aforementioned changes in web browser settings allow developers to increase traffic to the partner’s websites. For this purpose, the add-on is set to display modified search results that contain links to affiliate websites. Besides, search.emailaccessonline.com virus may generate ads, pop-ups, banners, software downloads, and other commercial content. This way, the hijacker keeps generating revenue to its developers, but at the same time pushes its users into the risk of being exposed to potentially dangerous websites or even phishing.

The same applies to adds by search emailaccessonline. Cybersecurity experts from NoVirus.uk^[3] have been analyzing this browser hijacker and, although malicious activity hasn’t been found, some of the ads may offer to download security software or check the system online. Do not click on such material as it may trick you into installing scareware or another intrusive application.

Last, but not least reason to remove search.emailaccessonline.com from the system is related to data protection. As stated in the Privacy Policy of this doubtful search engine, it is pre-set to collect personally non-identifiable information and shares it with marketing companies:

We collect the content, communications and other information you provide when you contact us, including your email address. We collect information about the Services that you use and how you use them. We collect device-specific information (such as your hardware model and operating system version).

We may share your data with our services providers who process your personal data to provide services to us or on our behalf. We have contracts with our service providers that prohibit them from sharing the information about you that they collect or that we provide to them with anyone else or using it for other purposes.

Despite the fact that the cookies the virus installs are not capable of gathering personal information like names and credit card details, the collection and distribution of browsing-related information may trigger a significant accession of personalized ads. In any way, search.emailaccessonline.com removal is the only solution to stop questionable activities on the system. The quickest way to get rid of this PUP is to run a full system scan with AV engines like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.

Installation of a bundled freeware may lead to Search.emailaccessonline.com redirects on Chrome

Installation of a bundled freeware may lead to Search.emailaccessonline.com redirects on Chrome

In case the AV software that you use does not have the latest virus definition updates and, therefore, it does not detect the PUP, you can rely on the instructions provided at the end of the article. In this case, to remove search.emailaccessonline.com from Chrome, you’ll have to detect all unknown programs on the Apps list and disable them. Upon that, reset the web browser’s settings.

Freeware installers and unpopular websites distribute malware in bundles 

Bundling is a term used to describe an app distribution technique, that allows filling the main installer of one application with an unspecified number of other programs. While this method is legitimate in its nature, third-party software developers misuse it for tricking people into downloading adware, hijackers, and other potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). 

The trickery is simple and can quite easily be unfolded. Freeware and shareware included in the list of suggestions on various infamous freeware distribution sites spread in packages with supposedly useful add-ons and plug-ins, which are preselected. User’s agreement to install the whole package of programs is confirmed automatically when a Quick or Basic installation option is selected. 

Search.emailaccessonline.com displays pre-selected Yahoo search results that may promote questionable content

Search.emailaccessonline.com displays pre-selected Yahoo search results that may promote questionable content

Selecting Advanced installation is a way out of unwanted apps. It expands the installation process and discloses every additional app suggestion, as well as allows removing the checkmarks put aside claims that you agree to install additional apps. 

In addition to freeware, browser hijackers and other PUPs can be disguised under misleading software download ads or links. Therefore, it is not advisable to click on any suspicious-looking content that shows up on random websites that you visit. 

Get rid of all items related to search.emailaccessonline.com virus to prevent redirects and privacy issues

Search.emailaccessonline.com removal does not require much IT experience. Usually, it is enough to open the Application folder and remove each of the recently installed unfamiliar apps. However, sometimes potentially unwanted programs can hide under legitimate apps making the manual removal hard to accomplish. 

In this case, a professional antivirus program will help. If you facing problems with continuous web browser’s redirects and can’t find a related program, remove search.emailaccessonline.com virus and then use a professional system repair utility, such as Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego, to finish up the removal process by restoring previous system’s settings.

You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.

Get rid of Search.emailaccessonline.com from Windows systems

Vulnerable Windows OS can easily get affected by this browser hijacker. To get rid of this PUP and affiliate programs, follow these steps:

1. Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs). Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
2. Uninstall Search.emailaccessonline.com and related programs
   Here, look for Search.emailaccessonline.com or any other recently installed suspicious programs.
3. Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
4. Remove Search.emailaccessonline.com from Windows shortcuts
   Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties.
5. Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus.

Repeat steps that are given above with all browsers’ shortcuts, including Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Make sure you check all locations of these shortcuts, including Desktop, Start Menu and taskbar.

Eliminate Search.emailaccessonline.com from Mac OS X system

1. If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
2. Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Search.emailaccessonline.com or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.

Erase Search.emailaccessonline.com from Internet Explorer (IE)

If Internet Explorer started displaying a search.emailaccessonline.com new tab window regularly, there is no doubt that it has been hijacked and needs recovery. The following guide explains how to eliminate a hijacker:

1. Remove dangerous add-ons
   Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons.
2. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Search.emailaccessonline.com and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
3. Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
   Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab.
4. Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
5. Reset Internet Explorer
   Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab.
6. Here, select Reset.
7. When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Search.emailaccessonline.com removal.

Remove Search.emailaccessonline.com from Microsoft Edge

Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):

1. Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
2. Click Settings to open more options.
3. Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
4. Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
5. Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
6. When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
7. Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
8. When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.

Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):

If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.

1. Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
2. Find this folder on your computer: C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
3. Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
4. Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
5. Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
6. Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
   

   Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}

   

Once these steps are finished, Search.emailaccessonline.com should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.

Uninstall Search.emailaccessonline.com from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

1. Remove dangerous extensions
   Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions.
2. Here, select Search.emailaccessonline.com and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
3. Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
   Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General.
4. Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
5. Click OK to save these changes.
6. Reset Mozilla Firefox
   Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information.
7. Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Search.emailaccessonline.com removal.

Delete Search.emailaccessonline.com from Google Chrome

Google Chrome, as the most popular web browser worldwide, remains the main target of PUP developers. If you are struggling with search.emailaccessonline.com removal from Chrome, the instructions submitted by our security experts will help:

1. Delete malicious plugins
   Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions.
2. Here, select Search.emailaccessonline.com and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
3. Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
   Click on menu icon and choose Settings.
4. Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages.
5. Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
6. Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
7. When in Search Engines…, remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
8. Reset Google Chrome
   Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings.
9. Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
10. Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Search.emailaccessonline.com removal.

Get rid of Search.emailaccessonline.com from Safari

1. Remove dangerous extensions
   Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences.
2. Here, select Extensions and look for Search.emailaccessonline.com or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
3. Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
   Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General.
4. Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by Search.emailaccessonline.com, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the “http://” before typing in the address of the page.
5. Reset Safari
   Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari….
6. Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Search.emailaccessonline.com removal process.