Findresultsnow.co browser hijacker (virus) - Free Guide

What is Findresultsnow.co browser hijacker?

Findresultsnow.co takes over users' browsers to monetize their activity

A browser hijacker can put user privacy and security at risk

Findresultsnow.co is a browser hijacker, which means it changes the main settings, like the homepage, new tab address, and search engine. People are forced to use only selected channels for browsing which can raise many user privacy and security concerns. The application can also cause an increased amount of commercial content, like pop-ups, banners, and redirects.

The extension attaches its own search engine which could lead to misinformation or dangerous pages. People can end up on sites that try to trick them into providing personal information, downloading PUPs (potentially unwanted programs),^[1] and even malware. Besides, the add-on can track user activity with cookies.^[2]

Generally, browser extensions are meant to enhance the user experience and provide some useful functions that are unavailable on a default browser. Many of these apps are promoted as “handy” tools but their functionality is questionable. There is no reason for people to keep this hijacker on their machines.

Distribution methods

Bogus browser extensions are mostly spread on fake downloader pages and peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms. However, sometimes crooks create their own “official” promotional websites. There, they show off all the non-existent functions and try to convince people to download the extension themselves.

You should only use official web stores whenever you want to get new add-ons. Apps that get listed there, have to go through an extensive review process. Nonetheless, you should still do your research – read the reviews, look at the ratings, and the number of users.

Choose apps that have plenty of positive feedback and thousands of users. It is also a good idea to read the descriptions fully as fraudsters often make spelling or grammar mistakes. Stay away from claims that seem too good to be true because they probably are.

Only official app stores should be used to download browser add-ons

Cookies and cache

As we mentioned before, browser-based apps can use cookies to collect various information. It includes your IP address, links you click on, pages you visit, and things you purchase online. This data can later be sold to advertising networks or other third parties.

You should get rid of all the data that was collected about you. A maintenance tool like FortectIntego can perform this task automatically. It will fully clear your browsers from cookies and cache, which will result in better performance of your machine. Besides that, it can be useful in fixing various complicated system errors that are caused by corrupted files, registry issues, etc.

Start the removal process

First, let's try just removing the extension, and seeing if that helps. You can do that via browser settings:

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 the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

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 on Uninstall at the bottom.

MS Edge (Chromium)

• Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
• Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Mozilla Firefox

• 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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.

Safari

• Click Safari > Preferences…
• In the new window, pick Extensions.
• Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.

Check your system for PUPs

If you tried the first removal method, but it did not help and the browser settings are still messed up, you may have a PUA hiding in your system. In that case, the application will keep making the changes until you completely remove it from your PC. Potentially unwanted applications infiltrate the system by disguising as “handy” tools or as bundled software^[3] – they come attached as a package in the installer together with the intended program.

Identifying the program responsible for hijacking your browser might be difficult if you have never done this before. The program could be disguised as antivirus, video, or image editing software. If you do not want to risk deleting the wrong files, we suggest using SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes professional security tools that will scan your machine, eliminate it, and prevent such infections in the future by giving you a warning before a PUP can make any changes.

If manual removal is what you still prefer, we have instructions for Windows and Mac machines:

Windows 10/8:

1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
6. Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.

Windows 7/XP:

1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Mac:

1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.