Search.searchfefc.com is a dubious search engine that functions as a browser hijacker
Search.searchfefc.com is a search engine that is created by Polarity Technologies. e program should provide improved online searching activities and help people find what they need. Nevertheless, it has advanced functionality and allows converting files to PDF or DOC formats from the homepage; it is a browser hijacker[1] that can get into the system unnoticed and replace settings of all major web browsers. This is the site controlled by the potentially unwanted program that aims to affect online traffic and generate more views on sponsor pages.
| Summary | |
| Name | Search.searchfefc.com |
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Danger level | Medium. Does not damage the system. Takes control over an affected web browser |
| Developers | Polarity Technologies, Ltd. |
| Symptoms | Altered browser's homepage, search engine, and new tab URL address, an increased amount of ads and redirects to third-party sites |
| Distribution methods | Software bundling |
| To uninstall this PUP, run the anti-malware tool. Make sure to doule-check and run a full system scan with FortectIntego | |
Search.searchfefc.com virus spreads bundled with free programs that users can download from various sources. Users who attentively install freeware might find the Easy File Converter application offered to download together with the primary program. However, installation of this browser extension might lead to:
- homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL address set to hxxp://search.searchfefc.com/ or hxxp://query.searchfefc.com;
- installation of unknown browser extensions;
- an increased amount of ads, banners, pop-ups, and other commercial content displayed while browsing the web;
- redirects to third-party websites that might be malicious.
Seeing all these changes in Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, or another browser usually leads to attempts to remove the application and replace it with the previous search provider and startup page. However, such a task cannot be completed easily. The PUP is designed to alter the system and browser settings and might install additional components that protect from elimination.
Search.searchfefc.com removal requires finding all of the hijacker-related components and deleting them from the system as well as affected web browsers. However, the quicker option to get rid of this cyber threat is to use anti-malware software like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, and reset the browser.
We want to suggest not to delay the elimination of the browser-based app. Despite the fact it is not a hazardous cyber threat, its appearance might lead to infiltration of malware or spyware[2] due to suspicious commercial redirect tendencies. Stay away from any suspicious material online.
This search engine redirects to the Yahoo search results page which is absolutely legit. However, you access these links via the hijacked web browser. It means that once you click on the search result, the intruder might redirect you to the third-party website that needs to increase traffic or lure victims into a scam.
Finally, Search.searchfefc.com is capable of tracking non-personally identifiable information and using it for advertising purposes. Based on your location, search queries visited websites, and similar data, the app displays targeted ads that might be misleading because developers of PUP want to generate advertising-based revenue.
The privacy policy also reveals that the suspicious program or its developers and sponsors might share aggregated information with third parties. Hence, you should uninstall the potentially unwanted program and its related apps to avoid privacy-related issues.
“Unpacking” freeware downloads helps to avoid browser hijack
The browser hijacker spreads with the help of freeware and shareware. It is added as an optional component in the software package. Security specialists from Udenvirus.dk[3] warn that any freeware or shareware can be a “bundle” and not a single program as you would expect.
Therefore, to avoid browser program infections, you have to use “Custom” or “Advanced” installation settings and carefully monitor the process. Typically “optional downloads” appear in one of the installation steps. Hence, your task is to remove the ticks from the checkboxes to reject their installation.
Note that “Recommended” or “Standard” installers do not include this feature. However, if you use these settings, you agree to install the whole software package without even knowing what is inside. It goes without saying that you should stop using this setup.
Uninstall unwanted apps and fix the browser after the proper system scan
To remove Search.searchfefc.com from your browser, you have to uninstall questionable programs from the computer. After that, you have to look through browser extensions, uninstall suspicious entries and reset the affected web browser.
Detailed cyber infection removal instructions are given below. You can find steps for web browser effectiveness. However, instead of spending your precious time with an annoying procedure, you can take advantage of anti-malware software and get rid of the PUP within a few clicks.
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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