Cranchit.com: what it is and how to remove it
Cranchit.com is a website that users who have installed potentially unwanted programs might see as their homepage on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or another web browser. The site claims that it can enhance the web browsing experience for users by providing additional functions such as Currency, Crypto, or PDF converters, which can be accessed via the main page.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Cranchit.com: summary
| Damage | While browser hijackers pose minimal risks to users, they are often users to track information about them, and also direct them to potentially dangerous websites. As a result, users might install additional PUPs or even malware, or expose personal information to unknown parties |
|---|---|
| Name | Cranchit.com |
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| Infiltration | In most cases, users install browser hijackers unintentionally via freeware bundles or after being tricked by a fake update prompt; however, sometimes the installation might be a result of a deliberate action, as some many might not be aware that the app in question has browser-hijacking properties |
| Symptoms | New tab and homepage URL set to hxxps://portal.cranchit.com A customized search engine applied to the front page All searchers redirected to Yahoo Search results littered with sponsored links and ads Cranchit New Tab Search browser extension installed |
| Termination | You can use manual removal guide below or scan your machine with reputable anti-malware for automatic option |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 7 more facts
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Search page | cranchit.com |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 4 May 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What Cranchit.com changes in your browser
The Non-Personal Information which is being collected may include technical information automatically transmitted by the user's device (for example, type of browser, the type of the user's device and technical information pertaining to the user's device, language preferences, time stamps, clicks and visited pages, search logs, the operating system, utilized internet service provider and other similar information.
Is Cranchit.com dangerous? What it collects
From our report of May 2020 · not reviewed since
Cranchit.com - a browser hijacker that redirects all searchers to Yahoo
Cranchit.com is a website that users who have installed potentially unwanted programs might see as their homepage on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or another web browser.
The site claims that it can enhance the web browsing experience for users by providing additional functions such as Currency, Crypto, or PDF converters, which can be accessed via the main page. While such functionality might seem like a useful addition to users' browsers, it is important to note that Cranchit.com is related to browser hijacking, information tracking, and the delivery of commercial content from unknown affiliates.
While there are several different applications that could be related to the Cranchit.com hijack, most of them are typically delivered with the help of deceptive techniques, such as software bundling or fake updates. In other cases, users might install an app without knowing its operation principles fully.
While the settling of Cranchit.com on the web browser might be caused by various random apps, the most probable culprit of the hijack is the Cranchit New Tab Search browser extension. Users should be able to see it at the top-right corner of their web browsers.
In most cases, users can remove Cranchit.com from their web browsers by right-clicking on the extension. Nonetheless, if other apps are installed that is causing the browser takeover, they need to by uninstalled either manually or automatically.
Once installed, the so-called Cranchit.com virus will change web browser settings and redirect all search results to Yahoo, which is a legitimate service. However, since it is used via the affiliate program, users will see several sponsored links at the top, preventing them from finding relevant information quickly.
When trying to enter the information into the URL bar, users will notice changes as well - the redirect to feed.cranchit.com will be seen briefly.
This is done in order to promote sponsors' content to the end-users. Essentially, that's the whole point of the Cranchit hijacking. Each time users click on pop-ups, banners, in-text links, flashing windows, coupons, or other commercial content, third-parties receive financial gain. Unfortunately, some ads might not be so secure, and direct users to spam, phishing, or even malware-laden websites.
Another issue with Cranchit.com is information gathering principles. While many services, including Google, gathers information about users, the IT giant needs it for various purposes, such as interconnecting multiple devices via a single account. On the other hand, those who want privacy and opt for privacy-focused browsers, such as Brave, MS Edge, or Tor.
That being said, trusting more unknown companies with your information is not a good thing, and you should be aware of that. When looking at Cranchit.com Privacy Policy, it is claimed that both personal and non-personal data is being gathered about users:
Additionally, the personal data includes the IP address, as well as the contact information, if such is provided. The data is tracked and collected with the help of cookies and similar tracking technologies. Due to this reason, it is important to clear cookies or reset web browsers after Cranchit.com removal.
Speaking of which, you should uninstall Cranchit extension and then check for other installed applications - we provide the instructions on how to do that below. Nevertheless, it is always advisable to also perform a scan with such tools as to ensure the stable operation of your machine.
From our report of May 2020 · not reviewed since
Ways to avoid unwanted applications on your computer
While many potentially unwanted programs are installed on the computer unintentionally through software bundles, many times, users also install them intentionally as well.
This happens because many PUPs are presented as useful additions to users' libraries due to their functionality. Seemingly, they can help them with finding relevant forms, convert files, access popular websites quickly, etc. However, in many cases, these functions either fail to work completely, or they do not work as intended.
Thus, it is best to recognize a shady app before it gets to your computer, and the best way of doing that is by choosing official sources for downloads. If possible, opt for such channels like Chrome web store, Amazon, App Store, and similar instead of picking third-party sites like Softonic. Also, you should stay away from torrent and warez websites altogether.
If you still want to download applications from third-parties, you should watch out for the following:
- Ensure that the application you are about to install is not shady/malicious by checking reviews and blog posts online;
- Install security software with PUP detection function;
- When prompted, always choose Advanced/Custom mode instead of Recommended/Quick one;
- Watch out for pre-ticked boxes, fine print text, misleading offers, misplaced buttons, and similar tricks;
- Quickly check through ToS/Privacy Policy.
From our report of May 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Cranchit.com
- If you found malicious software on your system, you can repair the OS with the help of after malware elimination
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
cranchit.com
How to remove Cranchit.com
How to remove Cranchit.com and get your search engine back
Remove the extension first.
The search settings only stay fixed once nothing on the PC can change them again.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
Cranchit.com often works through an extension, so go through the extension list of each browser:
chrome://extensionsedge://extensions- Extensions and themes in Firefox
Switch suspicious extensions off one at a time and reload the page where the problem shows, then remove the one that stops it, and any other you did not add.
Remember the other browsers and profiles on the PC. If Remove is missing or greyed out, a policy forces the extension, which the policy step deals with. Windows 11 and Windows 10 show the same pages.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Put the search engine back and delete cranchit.com
Searches that pass through
cranchit.commean the browser's default search engine was replaced. Chrome: Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, then Make default on Google, Bing or another engine you chose, and Delete on cranchit.com.Edge has the same list under Manage search engines (search the Settings page for it), and Firefox under Settings > Search.
Look at On startup and the homepage settings too and remove the hijacker's address there. Nothing in this step differs between Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11, or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10, and sort the list by install date. Look at what appeared around the day the problem started and uninstall every program you do not recognise or did not choose.
Free converters, PDF and video tools, "system optimizers" and unknown browsers are the usual carriers of Cranchit.com. If a name is unclear, search for it before you remove it, so you do not uninstall a driver or a Windows component.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 4: Reset the browser
Finish the browser part with a reset, which puts the search engine, start page, new tab page and site permissions back to their defaults and switches extensions off. Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.
Edge: Settings > Reset settings. Firefox: Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox, which also removes its extensions. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are kept, and the menus are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.
Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Uninstall from Windows
To uninstall potentially unwanted applications from Windows operating systems, check out this guide:
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.
Remove from Google Chrome
Reset Google Chrome to get rid of cookies and other settings:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Delete from macOS
macOS users should employ the following methods to get rid of Cranchit hijacker:
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.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
From our report of May 2020 · not reviewed since
Get rid of Cranchit.com browser hijacker and other potentially dangerous programs
The so-called Cranchit virus is not the only potentially unwanted program that might be installed on your system.
The truth is, if you are not accustomed to careful software installation techniques and safe browsing, you are highly likely to have PUPs or even malware installed on your system. Thus, besides Cranchit.com removal, you might also have to find and eliminate other programs that might be redirecting you to suspicious sites and showing malicious ads.
To remove Cranchit.com from your web browser, right-click on the extension and select "Remove from Chrome." Next, you should access the install application list and check for anything suspicious - we provide the instructions on how to do that below (for macOS and Windows platforms). Finally, you should also scan your machine with a comprehensive anti-malware software to check for malicious programs.
As mentioned above, since Cranchit uses various tracking technologies within browsers like cookies, you should reset the installed browsers or clear browsing data to prevent further unwanted activities.
Questions about Cranchit.com
Is it safe to keep cranchit.com as my search engine?
It is not recommended. Searches through cranchit.com usually still return results, but the operator sees every query, often stores it with an identifier for your browser and shows extra ads or paid links. Some hijacked results lead to fake downloads or scam pages.
You also did not choose it, which means something changed your settings without asking and may still be installed. Set your own search engine back, remove the extension or program that set cranchit.com, and check the browser's other settings, such as the start page and notification permissions, for further changes made at the same time.
Did cranchit.com come with a program I installed?
Most likely, yes. Search hijackers such as cranchit.com usually arrive with free software, where an extra offer is pre-ticked in the installer, or as an extension that promises something useful, such as file conversion, maps, recipes or streaming.
Look at Settings, Apps, Installed apps sorted by install date: whatever was installed just before the search engine changed is the main suspect. Uninstall it, then remove any extension you do not recognise. In future, choose the custom or advanced option in installers and untick extra offers, and install extensions only from the official store pages of publishers you know.
Why do my searches go to cranchit.com?
Because the browser's default search engine was changed to it. Cranchit.com did that through an extension, a program or a browser policy, and as long as that source remains, the setting points to cranchit.com.
The page then passes your query to a real search provider, so the results look almost normal, with extra sponsored links on top. Changing the search engine back on its own does not last, because the source resets it. Remove the extension or program first, then the policies if any, then set your own search engine.
Is it safe to keep searching with cranchit.com?
We would not. Every query you type is logged by its operators and shared with their advertising partners, and the sponsored links at the top are chosen for payment, not relevance. Results that look like a download page or a support site may lead to scams.
The page will not damage Windows by itself, but there is no benefit in keeping it: the results come from another search engine anyway. Remove Cranchit.com and use that search engine directly, by typing its address or choosing it in the browser settings.
Which browsers does Cranchit.com affect?
We saw it in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. That does not mean the other browsers on your PC are safe: hijacker installers usually change every browser they find, and browser sync can carry an extension to other computers signed in to the same account.
Check the search engine, home page, new tab, extensions and policies in each browser you have, including ones you rarely open. Chrome and Edge profiles count separately, so switch to each profile and check it as well before you call the job done.
What does cranchit.com know about me?
It knows what you searched for while it was your search engine, when, from which IP address and with which browser, and usually which results you opened. Tracking cookies let it connect those searches into a profile. It does not see your saved passwords or files.
After removing Cranchit.com, delete the cookies and site data for cranchit.com so the profile cannot be continued, and remove it from the browser's list of saved search engines. Signing out of important sites and back in also replaces session cookies.
Would an ad blocker stop Cranchit.com?
Not really. An ad blocker can hide some of the sponsored results on cranchit.com, but it does not change your search engine back or remove the extension that set it. Your searches would still pass through the hijacker's servers and be logged.
Some ad blockers include tracking filters that block parts of the redirect chain, which can break searches altogether. Remove Cranchit.com with the plan above; an ad blocker is a reasonable extra afterwards, from the official store only and from a developer with a long track record.
The results look like Google or Bing. Is that real?
Partly. Many hijacker search pages pass your query to a real search engine and show its results, so the list looks familiar. What changes is the frame around it:
- extra sponsored links at the top
- the hijacker's own tracking
- sometimes a design that copies a known search engine
You can tell by the address bar. If it shows cranchit.com or another unfamiliar domain instead of the search engine you know, the results come through a middleman. Remove Cranchit.com and search directly.
Will resetting the browser remove Cranchit.com?
A reset disables extensions, restores the default search engine, start page and new tab, and clears temporary data and cookies. It keeps bookmarks, history and saved passwords. For many hijackers that is enough.
It does not remove a program installed in Windows, policies in the registry, changes to the hosts file or DNS, or edited shortcuts, so Cranchit.com can come back after a reset if one of those remains. Do the reset after removing the program and policies, not instead of it.
Will Fortect remove Cranchit.com?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Cranchit.com, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- How-To Geek: PUPs Explained: What is a "Potentially Unwanted Program"? (read October 6, 2026)
- PracticalEcommerce: How Does an Affiliate Program Work? (read October 6, 2026)
- Norton: What are cookies? (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)