Search.hclassifiedseasy.com – a PUP that aims to change your default search engine and display ads

Search.hclassifiedseasy.com is developed to be a fake search engine that claims to provide quick and useful results. You might think that it would significantly improve your browsing experience but, in reality, the browser hijacker secretly alters your browser settings.
The fake Search.hclassifiedseasy.com search engine is designed to look similar to other verified engines such as Google, Yahoo, or Bing. This way people get deluded and believe its legitimacy. Besides, it even impersonates Yahoo by redirecting to “Yahoo Search,” once the user submits the keyword in the search bar.
| name | Search.hclassifiedseasy.com |
|---|---|
| Type | PUP, browser hijacker, fake search engine |
| Symptoms of infection | Search results are provided from a different source and are filled with deceptive adverts; redirects to suspicious websites; diminished browsing quality |
| Dangers | Privacy issues, malware infections, PUP installations |
| Distribution | Software bundles, deceptive ads |
| Elimination | Remove the intruder with reputable security software |
| System healt | Run system diagnostics with the FortectIntego PC repair tool to fix system-related issues and delete tracking cookies |
Even if it is not categorized as a malicious virus, the real problem arises when you decide to eliminate the hijacker. Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs)[1] are programmed to reassign the fake search engine as a start page, default search provider, and new tab URL if the user attempts to change it to the previous stage.
Therefore, without the help of professional or reputable security software, you will not be able to get rid of the browser hijacker. However, our team prepared easy instructions provided below if you want to start a Search.hclassifiedseasy.com removal yourself.
The most common features of a fake search engine, according to NoVirus team[2], are:
- Provides search results filled with sponsored ads;
- Generates never-ending pop-ups and redirects to vague websites;
- Might stealthily install other “helper objects”;
- Collects various information that later can be misused.
Be aware that the activity browser hijacker performs on your computer increases the risk of getting infected with other viruses. Thus, you should avoid clicking[3] on promoted ads, even if they look genuine. They might redirect you to suspicious websites, which are managed by criminals and used to distribute malware.
If you have encountered the unusual behavior mentioned above — remove Search.hclassifiedseasy.com immediately using MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, or any other security software that is trustworthy. Such tools are a must these days as cybercrime is on the rise.
Once you've taken care of the browser intruder, it's time to repair system irregularities causing slowdowns, BSoDs, freezes, etc., and delete all tracking cookies that could endanger your privacy. The best way to do that is by performing system diagnostics with the FortectIntego tool.

PUPs hide attached to other software
Many people download browser hijackers because it comes as one “download package” together with other third-party applications. Developers use a popular marketing method, called bundling, to distribute the potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). In other terms, it is the installation of additional applications while installing regular ones.
Besides, be aware that it may be offered to you as a “useful” tool to bring the functionality of your favorite social networking platforms. You shouldn’t fall for these false claims and stay away from the intrusive ads. However, if you are lured into downloading it, test the program for viruses using security software beforehand.
Break free from annoying pop-ups by removing Search.hclassifiedseasy.com virus
You can remove Search.hclassifiedseasy.com by downloading a reputable security system like the ones we recommend below. Our IT specialists remind you to avoid getting deceived by such scams as System Care Antivirus[4] or similar ones. They are only developed to swindle money from naive computer users. Thus, choose wisely.
Shortly after the installation, you are ready to start scanning your files and eliminating the fake search engine. The automatic process is the best solution to forget this hijacker once and for all since it quickly identifies the executable files and uninstalls them.
You might decide to start a manual removal process. To make it easier for you, we have developed a step-by-step guide at the end of this article. Please feel free to use it and ask any questions if you have any.
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.
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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