Search.searchfecc.com is a shady search engine that secretly arrives on the system as Fast Email Checker extension

Search.searchfecc.com is a browser hijacker[1] that alters targeted browser’s settings. However, its developers Polarity Technologies present this application as a legitimate search tool that enhances browsing experience by giving quick access to email or social network accounts.
However, after the Search.searchfecc.com hijack, you barely notice benefits of this search engine. Once installed, it starts causing unwanted changes to the browser, redirects to questionable websites, display ads, and prevent users from setting their preferred homepage or built-in search engine.
This search engine might become your default one once install Fast Email Checker add-on. Most of the time it happens without your knowledge. The extension typically spreads bundled with freeware or shareware. To protect you from Search.searchfecc.com virus can help only correct and attentive software installation.
The main problems caused by Fast Email Checker virus are:
- replaced Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, Safari or other web browser’s settings;
- inability to set preferred homepage, search engine or new tab URL address;
- delivery of commercial content;
- redirects to affiliate websites;
- installation of unknown browser extensions;
- data tracking.
Search.searchfecc.com removal is complicated because the hijacker is created in a way to protect itself. It might alter Windows Registry, make various changes to the system and modify browser’s settings. Therefore, browser customization requires reverting all these changes.
Users are advised to urge with Fast Email Checker removal. One of the reasons why is that the hijacker might trick you into visiting websites that might be dangerous. Once you click on a link or ad, you might open a new browser’s tab with tech support scam, phishing site or fake software update alert.
Due to these Search.searchfecc.com redirect tendencies, your computer is put at risk. Indeed, the hijacker is not dangerous itself. The problem is with its affiliates that might not be reliable. Additionally, this potentially unwanted program (PUP) collects your browsing-related information which is shared with advertising networks[2] and unknown partners that might be evil-minded people.
Hence, you should remove Fast Email Checker add-on, reset affected web browser and check the system for potentially unwanted programs. You can do it manually by following the steps at the end of the article. However, we suggest speeding up computer’s clearance with FortectIntego.

No official download site suggests that developers rely on bundling
Bundling is a questionable (but legit!) software marketing method that is popular among developers of PUP. This method allows spreading useless applications attached to various free programs as optional components.
Every time users install freeware using Recommended/Standard settings they risk to install a software bundle full of PUPs. In this way, Search.searchfecc.com hijack occurs too. This application is not available to download from the official website. Hence, bundling is the main hijacker’s distribution method.
Cyber security experts from virukset.fi[3] remind to rely only on Advanced/Custom installation settings which allow monitoring the process and opting out additional programs, browser extensions, and similar questionable apps.
Get rid of Search.searchfecc.com to get back to normal browsing sessions
To remove Search.searchfecc.com from the browser for good, you have to delete Fast Email Checker and other questionable extensions created by Polarity Technologies or other shady developers. Additionally, you have to look up for programs or files that may have been installed without your knowledge too.
You can perform manual Search.searchfecc.com removal by following our prepared guidelines below the article. Also, you can speed up elimination by scanning the system with anti-malware software and resetting your browsers.
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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