Search.webfindersearch.com might not let you search the web safely

Search.webfindersearch.com is a simple looking search engine that might appear on your web browser out of nowhere. This search tool is another variant of infamous Safer Browser – a popular browser hijacker that has been known for a few years. It spreads in software bundles, infiltrates the system silently, alters browser’s settings and might redirect to potentially dangerous websites.
Due to the shady distribution method and ability to become browser’s default search engine without asking user’s permission, it is often referred to as Search.webfindersearch.com virus. However, technically speaking, it’s a potentially unwanted program (PUP),[1] meaning that it cannot cause direct damage to your device.
However, the appearance of Search.webfindersearch.com should not be tolerated too. Nevertheless, it’s a Yahoo-based search engine; it might trigger redirects to unknown and suspicious websites. For instance, when you click on a link in the results page, you might be redirected to an unrelated third-party site.
According to the researchers from Les Virus,[2] Search.webfindersearch.com redirect tendencies are really concerning. The browser hijacker might trick victims into visiting scam or phishing websites.[3] Thus if you use this search tool, you might reveal your personal information to cybercriminals.
Undoubtedly, if this domain appeared on Chrome, Firefox, Explorer or another web browser, you have to get rid of it immediately. However, a simple alteration of homepage/search engine address will not work. Search.webfindersearch.com removal is a little bit complicated because the hijacker might alter Windows registry and browser’s settings.
To remove Search.webfindersearch.com from the startup page and reject all the changes it caused to the browser, you should run a full system scan with a powerful anti-malware/anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego. However, if you want to go the hard way, you can follow manual removal instructions at the end of the article.

Software bundles offer to replace your default search engine
When installing freeware or shareware, you have to be cautious. If you rely on Quick/Recommended installation or rush to click “Next” button, you might accidentally agree to change your default search engine to WebFinderSearch or another suspicious engine. Therefore, you should always read the Terms and Agreements as well as choose a correct installation method.
By saying “correct,” we have in mind “Advanced” or “Custom” setup. If you follow the guide attentively, you might see the list of third-party entries that are offered to download with a primary program. Remove the ticks from all pre-selected entries to stop installation of unknown apps.
Important things to do after the Search.webfindersearch.com hijack
Trying to replace Search.webfindersearch.com with another search provider won’t give desired results. Once you reboot the computer, you will find this domain set as your default search engine again. Therefore, you should put more effort to wipe out this cyber threat from the system.
If you want to remove Search.webfindersearch.com virus manually, you have to:
- Uninstall programs that are related to the hijacker from the computer;
- Remove suspicious extensions, add-ons, and toolbars from each of your web browsers;
- Reset web browsers.
Below you can find manual Search.webfindersearch.com removal guidelines. Have a look at them and if they seem clear, start the procedure. However, if you leave some of the hijacker-related entries, you should opt for the automatic elimination option and let security software clean your beloved PC.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

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