Search.searchfefc.com (Virus Removal Instructions) - Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
Search.searchfefc.com Removal Guide
What is Search.searchfefc.com?
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 SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, 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.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of Search.searchfefc.com. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- 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:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Search.searchfefc.com registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting browser hijacker
Protect your privacy – employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
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