Search.searchfstn3.com is a dubious application that displays altered search results

Search.searchfstn3.com is a browser hijacker[1] created by Polarity Technologies Ltd. As soon as this questionable app invades targeted PC, it makes changes to Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer or other browser and sets homepage, new tab URL and search engine to hxxp://search.searchfstn3.com.
| SUMMARY | |
| Name | Search.searchfstn3.com |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Danger Level | Low. However, can lead to malware infection and data leak |
| Distribution | Bundling |
| Symptoms | Invasive advertising, altered browser settings, etc. |
| Elimination | Download and install FortectIntego; otherwise check our manual guide below |
The different appearance of the startup page is initiated by an installation of Fast Speed Test Now browser extension. This questionable app typically invades users machines via software bundling – a technique that allows freeware developers to insert potentially unwanted programs without users' consent.
Search.searchfstn3.com creators offer users “improved functionality” by adding additional quick access buttons to Amazon, Yahoo mail, Gmail and by displaying other useful information like time, local weather, news, ways to improve internet speed and similar. Therefore, some users might find the application useful at first – even if it entered their PCs without their knowledge.
However, victims will soon realize that the benefits of the app do not come for free. Search.searchfstn3.com hijack affects browsers in different ways, including:
- Altered search results;
- Disruptive advertising via pop-ups and redirects;
- Additional applications (like toolbars, add-ons, browser extensions, etc.) installed;
- Slow website loading speed;
- Inability to navigate to certain websites, etc.
Advertising is used to generate traffic to less-known third-party websites and increase their sales. Search.searchfstn3.com virus developers gain monetary benefit for every click made by visitors. Thus, it is in their best interest to excessively advertise affiliated content.
While adverts might be annoying to deal with, they are not the primary danger. Fast Speed Test Now rerouting tendencies might lead users to websites of questionable content, including adult, gambling, phishing, fake/illegal software or even malware-infested[2] domains.
The latter can lead to severe consequences and harm your computer badly. That is one of the main reasons to keep a robust security tool (like FortectIntego) present on your computer at all times. Powerful security tool will help you to remove Search.searchfstn3.com quickly and eliminate any other infections that might be present.
One more alarming feature of a browser hijacker is information tracking. The PUP collects and shares non-personally identifiable information, including OS type, IP address, sites visited, search queries, etc.
Additionally, in case personal data is entered it might be stored, too. It is worth mentioning that in case Polarity changes its position, your personal data might be transferred to unknown sources, as well:
(c) In the event that ownership of all or a portion of the Services currently provided by Polarity were to change as a result of a merger, acquisition or transfer to another company, your Anonymous Information and Search Data may be transferred as well.
If you want some tips how to improve your internet speed, you can find them all over the internet for free. You do not need an unwanted program to disrupt your browsing sessions. Therefore, hurry up with Search.searchfstn3.com removal!

You can avoid unwanted programs if you install software correctly
When you install free software from the internet, it often states the following (or similar):
By clicking Next, you agree to our terms and conditions and agree to install XXX
Quite often, people just click on the tick mark and let the automatic installation run. That is the most significant mistake users make as they should never rush these steps. By accepting the terms, users don’t even realize that they just agreed to install additional components, like browser hijackers or other PUPs.
Security researchers[3] advise users always thoroughly to read ToS and EULA. Also, the Advanced or Custom installation mode should be used instead of Recommended one. This way users will be able to eliminate all the tick marks present by add-ons, browser extensions, media players, system optimizers and similar unwanted software.
If you desire the functionality of the offered app, research it online and find the one that is legitimate and will not spam you with advertisements non-stop.
Remove Search.searchfstn3.com from your computer immediately
You are better off using a legitimate search engine, like google.com, yahoo.com, bing.com and similar. This way, you will avoid unwanted adverts and potential malware infections. But first, you have to remove Search.searchfstn3.com virus.
You can eliminate Fast Speed Test Now by following our detailed guide below this article. However, please stay away from it if you are not that computer-savvy individual as you might damage system files accidentally.
We recommend downloading and installing reputable anti-malware program for complete Search.searchfstn3.com removal. This method will only take you a few minutes and will protect from such-like threats in the future.
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.
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.

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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