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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Mar 2021

How to remove 4KMovieSearch

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Linas Kiguolis · Expert in social media

4KMovieSearch – won't find you any movies but alter your browsing settings

4KMovieSearch browser hijacker

4KMovieSearch is a browser hijacker that redirects all search inquiries through a fake search site to show you altered search results with ads. When this potentially unwanted program (PUP) is installed on your device (either as an application or as a browser extension), all your searches go through feed.4kmoviesearch.com. It doesn't produce any search results. This fake search site shows results from Yahoo, Bing, Searchlee, or other predetermined sources.

Browser hijackers get their name from making modifications to certain browser preferences, including the default search engine, new tab, and start page. By making these changes, 4KMovieSearch virus is able to redirect all search traffic through a site of its choice.

By doing so, it can record various browsing habits and show ads. Browser hijackers are often falsely advertised as tools that will improve the browsing experience and various aspects of devices. PUPs aren't as dangerous as malware, but they still pose threats to user privacy and security. Therefore, they should never be used.

name 4KMovieSearch
Type Redirect virus, PUP, browser hijacker
Altered browser settings The new tab, homepage, default search engine
Promoted fake search site feed.4kmoviesearch.com
IP address 172.67.136.23
Symptoms Different search engine, ads in search results, slower device performance, redirects to questionable sites, modified browser preferences
Risks Installation of additional PUPs, malware. Privacy issues, financial losses
Distribution Freeware bundles, fake Flash Player updates, deceptive ads, torrent sites
Removal You can get rid of this annoying PUP by scanning your device with a compatible security tool
System fix Delete any traces of browser hijackers from the Registry and eliminate all tracking cookies by performing system diagnostics with the all-in-one FortectIntego system repair tool

4KMovieSearch browser hijacker and most others can gather various non-identifiable information, such as geolocations, used apps, search inquiries, visited sites, IP addresses, browser/device details, etc. This information is usually used to personalize ads.

If this info landed in the wrong hands, you might get in some trouble, but not as much as with 4KMovieSearch ads. These are usually deceptive, i.e., an ad for a “necessary” software update, or a breaking news story, might redirect you to portals with inappropriate, malicious content, including but not limited to:

  • gaming,
  • porn,
  • PUP distribution,
  • scams,
  • gambling, etc.

In some cases, 4KMovieSearch redirects to these sites might appear out of the blue without you pressing any links or ads. Some of these sites might be harmless, but some might try to draw out private details, try to force into subscribing to push notifications or even download malware automatically through drive-by downloads.[1]

4KMovieSearch ads

That's why everyone should remove 4KMovieSearch, whether they downloaded it willingly or it ended up on their device unknowingly. To ensure that this browser hijacker is completely eliminated, experts[2] recommend using trustworthy anti-malware software such as SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or MalwarebytesMalwarebytes should be used. 

Following a successful 4KMovieSearch removal, you have to eliminate its pieces from the Registry and other core system settings and files. Manual deletion is possible but recommended only for highly-experienced users. If you don't consider yourself tech-savvy, you're better of leaving this task to a system diagnostics tool such as the FortectIntego system repair app.

Keep an eye out for additional apps when installing software from a bundle

Potentially unwanted programs can be delivered using many sneaky techniques, but our research suggests that the most popular PUP distribution method is software bundles. These packs are usually downloaded from third-party software vendors, which gain revenue from promoting such software.

According to one report,[3] PUPs were found in 62% of the top 50 downloads on one of the most common software vendor sites. There are two choices to avoid PUPs from software bundles. First, download all your applications directly from its developers, cutting the middle man out.

Second, if an app is available only with a bundle, select the Advanced/Custom installation mode. Only by doing that will you be able to deselect all other apps from installation. If you'd have chosen Recommended/Quick/Standard mode, all apps would have been installed because they're automatically preselected for that.

4KMovieSearch virus

Remove 4KMovieSearch browser hijacker before more PUPs are installed on your device

It's a well-known fact in the cybersecurity community that potentially unwanted program operators advertise one another. Therefore if your device is infected with 4KMovieSearch virus, soon you might have adware, useless toolbars, or other PUP infections.

That's why you shouldn't hesitate for a second and remove 4KMovieSearch. Reliable anti-malware software should be installed on every device these days. It will be useful to eliminate this PUP as well. All you need to do is update its virus database and perform a full system scan. A proper security tool will do the rest.

Below this paragraph, you'll find our free instructions for 4KMovieSearch removal from your browsers, as that may be needed in case the redirects don't stop. Afterward, please don't forget to fix your system files and clean tracking cookies so you could enjoy your device anew.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

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

Remove the unwanted program:

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

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

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

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

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

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

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

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

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

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

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

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

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

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