What is Search Encrypt?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Search Encrypt is a search hijacker. These so-called "hijackers" manipulate your browser(s), for example to change your startpage or searchscopes, so that the affected browser visits their site or one of their choice.
How do I know if my computer is affected by Search Encrypt?
You may see this entry in your list of installed Chrome extensions:

and these warnings during install:



You will see this icon in your Chrome menu-bar:

that shows this menu when you click it:

and you may notice this changed setting:

How did Search Encrypt get on my computer?
Browser hijackers use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was downloaded from the webstore:

How do I remove Search Encrypt?
Our program Malwarebytes can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.
- Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop.
- Double-click mb3-setup-consumer-{version}.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
- Then click Finish.
- Once the program has fully updated, select Scan Now on the Dashboard. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
- If another update of the definitions is available, it will be implemented before the rest of the scanning procedure.
- When the scan is complete, make sure that all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
- Restart your computer when prompted to do so.
- No, Malwarebytes removes Search Encrypt completely.
We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.
As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes would have protected you against the Search Encrypt hijacker. It would have blocked their website, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.
Technical details for experts
Possible signs in FRST logs:
CHR DefaultSearchURL: Default -> hxxps://www.searchencrypt.com/encsearch?q={searchTerms} CHR DefaultSearchKeyword: Default -> se CHR DefaultSuggestURL: Default -> hxxps://www.searchencrypt.com/encsuggest?q={searchTerms} CHR Extension: (Search Encrypt) - C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml [2019-08-29]Alterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection) --------------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0 Adds the file background.html"="2/19/2019 2:41 PM, 151 bytes, A Adds the file manifest.json"="8/29/2019 9:10 AM, 2237 bytes, A Adds the file panel.html"="2/19/2019 2:41 PM, 2016 bytes, A Adds the file settings.html"="2/19/2019 2:41 PM, 11200 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\_metadata Adds the file computed_hashes.json"="8/29/2019 9:10 AM, 8437 bytes, A Adds the file verified_contents.json"="8/2/2019 5:22 PM, 3057 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\css Adds the file tooltip.css"="9/13/2018 3:57 PM, 1296 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\img\se Adds the file icon128.png"="8/29/2019 9:10 AM, 5411 bytes, A Adds the file icon16.png"="8/29/2019 9:10 AM, 758 bytes, A Adds the file icon16_disabled.png"="8/29/2019 9:10 AM, 728 bytes, A Adds the file icon48.png"="8/29/2019 9:10 AM, 2342 bytes, A Adds the file input-checked.png"="9/13/2018 3:57 PM, 318 bytes, A Adds the file input-unchecked.png"="9/13/2018 3:57 PM, 154 bytes, A Adds the file si-logo.png"="9/13/2018 3:57 PM, 32164 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\lib Adds the file bg.js"="8/2/2019 5:43 PM, 409420 bytes, A Adds the file page-protection.js"="7/18/2019 4:02 PM, 70128 bytes, A Adds the file panel.js"="7/18/2019 4:02 PM, 57119 bytes, A Adds the file savesettings.js"="7/18/2019 4:02 PM, 64558 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml Adds the file 000003.log"="8/29/2019 9:10 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file CURRENT"="8/29/2019 9:10 AM, 16 bytes, A Adds the file LOCK"="8/29/2019 9:10 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file LOG"="8/29/2019 9:10 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file MANIFEST-000001"="8/29/2019 9:10 AM, 41 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml Adds the file 000003.log"="8/29/2019 9:10 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file CURRENT"="8/29/2019 9:10 AM, 16 bytes, A Adds the file LOCK"="8/29/2019 9:10 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file LOG"="8/29/2019 9:10 AM, 0 bytes, A Adds the file MANIFEST-000001"="8/29/2019 9:10 AM, 41 bytes, A Registry details [View: All details] (Selection) ------------------------------------------------ [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Chrome\PreferenceMACs\Default\extensions.settings] "gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml"="REG_SZ", "04FDCAAC9271D9FBC7AB127865F7E7359465F630F806BF45913C41BF81932B9E"Malwarebytes log:
Malwarebytes www.malwarebytes.com -Log Details- Scan Date: 8/29/19 Scan Time: 9:24 AM Log File: 125ef42a-ca2e-11e9-98f7-00ffdcc6fdfc.json -Software Information- Version: 3.8.3.2965 Components Version: 1.0.613 Update Package Version: 1.0.12231 License: Premium -System Information- OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 CPU: x64 File System: NTFS User: {computername}\{username} -Scan Summary- Scan Type: Threat Scan Scan Initiated By: Manual Result: Completed Objects Scanned: 236129 Threats Detected: 40 Threats Quarantined: 40 Time Elapsed: 7 min, 8 sec -Scan Options- Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Enabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Detect PUM: Detect -Scan Details- Process: 0 (No malicious items detected) Module: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Key: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Value: 1 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, HKCU\SOFTWARE\GOOGLE\CHROME\PREFERENCEMACS\Default\extensions.settings|gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Data Stream: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folder: 9 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\_metadata, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\img\se, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\css, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\img, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\lib, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Local Extension Settings\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Sync Extension Settings\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\EXTENSIONS\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 File: 30 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\css\tooltip.css, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\img\se\icon128.png, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\img\se\icon16.png, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\img\se\icon16_disabled.png, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\img\se\icon48.png, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\img\se\input-checked.png, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\img\se\input-unchecked.png, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\img\se\si-logo.png, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\lib\bg.js, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\lib\page-protection.js, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\lib\panel.js, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\lib\savesettings.js, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\_metadata\computed_hashes.json, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\_metadata\verified_contents.json, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\background.html, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\manifest.json, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\panel.html, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\3.8.0.0_0\settings.html, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\000003.log, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\CURRENT, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\LOCK, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\LOG, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Local Extension Settings\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\MANIFEST-000001, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\000003.log, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\CURRENT, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\LOCK, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\LOG, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\gnlabkgljnlaidbnocfhgdeajcgmahml\MANIFEST-000001, Quarantined, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Secure Preferences, Replaced, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 PUP.Optional.SearchEncrypt, C:\USERS\{username}\APPDATA\LOCAL\GOOGLE\CHROME\USER DATA\Default\Preferences, Replaced, [1750], [725863],1.0.12231 Physical Sector: 0 (No malicious items detected) WMI: 0 (No malicious items detected) (end)As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes could have protected your computer against this threat.
We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):
- Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
- Malware Execution Prevention