Remove Search-fast.org (Removal Instructions)

Search-fast.org – a PUP which infiltrates into the system stealthily and sets the default search engine to http://search-fast.org/

Search-fast.org is a potentially unwanted computer infection which modifies browsers’ settings according to its needs. This browser hijacker^[1] can easily change your default search engine, new tab URL and search provider to http://search-fast.org. As a result, the infected user is forced to use this search provider every time he or she clicks on the browser's icon. No matter how trustworthy and safe it seems, this is a fake search engine that is used for showing misleading search results. These kinds of search results are typically filled with banner ads and in-text links that can be eliminated only after you get rid of Search-fast.org virus.

Name	Search-fast.org
Type	Browser hijacker
Danger level	Low. Affects only specific web browsers
Browsers affected	Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari, Microsoft Edge
Distribution strategies	Bundled software, various hyperlinks, and dubious websites
Prevention methods	Stay away from unknown sites, pay attention while downloading a program, and consider installing an antivirus software
Elimination process	Use Fortect Intego to delete the PUP in a couple of minutes

After getting into the system, this PUP affects the following web browsers:

Google Chrome;
Mozilla Firefox;
Internet Explorer;
Safari;
etc.

Additionally, it starts collecting browsing activity-related details which can be shared with third-parties for trying to gain revenue. Pages viewed, links clicked, saved bookmarks, sites visited, IP addresses – all this information is collected by program's owners. Nevertheless, some of your personal data may be at risk.

If you are dealing with this PUP right now, note that security experts advice to remove Search-fast.org browser hijacker from the system as it can redirect you to malicious websites without any warning. Keep in mind that it aims to redirect users to related websites and increase their visitors' traffic. In exchange, its developers are generating income. The PUP might also display misleading ads which might trick you into installing useless software or fake updates.

To continue, by displaying interrupting ads and similar content on your browser, the virus might slow down your browsing process. If you want to prevent these browsing-related problems, take care of Search-fast.org removal. Instead, choose a commonly known search engine like Google, Yahoo or Bing.

Be cautious while downloading freeware to avoid browser hijackers

According to tech professionals^[2], the simplest way for a PUP to get into your PC is by using bundled programs^[3]. Browser hijackers typically hide within the regular software so that they can be easily installed together with it. Other ways to get browser hijackers onto your computer are:

Downloading items from peer-to-peer networks (e.g. our commonly known Torrents page). These kinds of sites are sponsored by third-parties and might not fit in the security requirements;
Clicking on dubious-looking hyperlinks. They can cause redirects to pages which contain a browser hijacker hidden within it, or even a serious virus can be waiting for its turn to infiltrate your computer system;
Skipping or rushing download/installation steps may also be the case why you have got a browser hijacker infection in your system. These steps might include various unnecessary options which are carelessly permitted by the user.

In order to avoid such harmful consequences, you should always surf the Internet carefully. Do not visit dubious sites or click on suspicious links. Also, pay attention to every step when you do downloads/installations and deselect unnecessary ones.

Some strong advice is to install an antivirus. Do updates regularly and it will scan your computer system from time to time. If any infections are detected – the anti-malware will help you deal with the problems.

Eliminate Search-fast.org manually or automatically

To remove Search-fast.org from your browsers, such as Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Opera, and other ones, you need to eliminate all harmful components, including browser extensions, add-ons, and other PUPs. Below the text, you will see some guiding steps which will help you get rid of the cyber threat with all these components.

If you want to perform Search-fast.org virus removal in a faster way, consider downloading and installing an anti-malware program. This tool will show you some guidance and you will be able to eliminate the browser hijacker in a couple of minutes. After all is done, we strongly recommend refreshing your browsers’ and your computer system due to be sure that no additional harmful content is left.

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.

How to remove Search-fast.org

Search-fast.org – a PUP which infiltrates into the system stealthily and sets the default search engine to http://search-fast.org/

Be cautious while downloading freeware to avoid browser hijackers