Search.shareazaweb.net

Search.shareazaweb.net is a search site that's promoted by the Shareaza Media Bar, a browser toolbar that usually is bundled with the Shareaza file-sharing program. While SpywareRemove.com malware researchers haven't found any cases of Search.shareazaweb.net being used to distribute hostile Web content, the Shareaza Media Bar often makes undesirable browser modifications that force you to use Search.shareazaweb.net regardless of whether or not you're interested in doing so, which SpywareRemove.com malware experts consider a typical trait of a Potentially Unwanted Program (or PUP). PUPs that redirect your browser to Search.shareazaweb.net or similar sites against your will usually should be uninstalled, and the use of anti-malware tools is encouraged to make sure that all browser changes are deleted in the process.

Search.shareazaweb.net: the Site Shareaza Shares with You Even if You'd Rather not Have It

Browser toolbars that change your browser settings for questionable reasons are a dime a dozen on the Internet, but Search.shareazaweb.net has the good fortune to be promoted by one of the few such add-ons that are affiliated with a legitimate program – in this case, the Shareaza P2P file-sharing utility. As a general download and upload utility similar to eMule or Limewire, Shareaza does give you the theoretical ability to access malicious content but is not, by itself, an illegal or dangerous program. Unfortunately, being a useful program isn't enough for Shareaza, which also attempts to install its browser toolbar. This toolbar redirects your default searches to Search.shareazaweb.net, an affiliate of the main Shareaza website.

Search.shareazaweb.net does not provide malicious or inaccurate search results and, while Search.shareazaweb.net does include advertisements, clearly marks its advertisements as separate from normal results. Altogether, Search.shareazaweb.net's characteristics cause SpywareRemove.com malware experts to rank Search.shareazaweb.net as a safe site, thus labeling the Shareaza Media Bar, in turn, as a Potentially Unwanted Program (as opposed to malware). Toolbars and other programs that redirect to Search.shareazaweb.net (or any other site) without your consent usually should be installed simply to keep the content of your Web-browsing experience as under your control as possible.

Gently Refusing the 'Gift' of a Search.shareazaweb.net Search Hijack

Contacting Search.shareazaweb.net or searching with Search.shareazaweb.net is not dangerous to your PC, except in the sense that any search site has the potential to expose your computer to potentially harmful links. However, toolbars and other browser plugins that take the choice of whether or not you wish to use Search.shareazaweb.net out of your hands usually should be installed – since they only disadvantage your browser without any corresponding benefits. In most cases, legitimate programs like Shareaza will give you an option to avoid installing their add-ons, assuming you pay attention during the install process.

Despite Shareaza Media Bar being a PUP rather than malicious software, anti-malware tools still are suggested for removing Shareaza Media Bar and browser changes that promote Search.shareazaweb.net. Normal uninstall techniques often will leave behind remnant settings changes that continue to promote Search.shareazaweb.net or modify your browser in other undesired ways, regardless of how dangerous or safe these modifications may be.