Search.webfindersearch.com virus (Free Instructions) - Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
Search.webfindersearch.com virus Removal Guide
What is Search.webfindersearch.com virus?
Search.webfindersearch.com might not let you search the web safely
Search.webfindersearch.com is a simple looking search engine that might appear on your web browser out of nowhere. This search tool is another variant of infamous Safer Browser – a popular browser hijacker that has been known for a few years. It spreads in software bundles, infiltrates the system silently, alters browser’s settings and might redirect to potentially dangerous websites.
Due to the shady distribution method and ability to become browser’s default search engine without asking user’s permission, it is often referred to as Search.webfindersearch.com virus. However, technically speaking, it’s a potentially unwanted program (PUP),[1] meaning that it cannot cause direct damage to your device.
However, the appearance of Search.webfindersearch.com should not be tolerated too. Nevertheless, it’s a Yahoo-based search engine; it might trigger redirects to unknown and suspicious websites. For instance, when you click on a link in the results page, you might be redirected to an unrelated third-party site.
According to the researchers from Les Virus,[2] Search.webfindersearch.com redirect tendencies are really concerning. The browser hijacker might trick victims into visiting scam or phishing websites.[3] Thus if you use this search tool, you might reveal your personal information to cybercriminals.
Undoubtedly, if this domain appeared on Chrome, Firefox, Explorer or another web browser, you have to get rid of it immediately. However, a simple alteration of homepage/search engine address will not work. Search.webfindersearch.com removal is a little bit complicated because the hijacker might alter Windows registry and browser’s settings.
To remove Search.webfindersearch.com from the startup page and reject all the changes it caused to the browser, you should run a full system scan with a powerful anti-malware/anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego. However, if you want to go the hard way, you can follow manual removal instructions at the end of the article.
Search.webfindersearch.com virus is a browser hijacker that belongs to the Safer Browser family.
Software bundles offer to replace your default search engine
When installing freeware or shareware, you have to be cautious. If you rely on Quick/Recommended installation or rush to click “Next” button, you might accidentally agree to change your default search engine to WebFinderSearch or another suspicious engine. Therefore, you should always read the Terms and Agreements as well as choose a correct installation method.
By saying “correct,” we have in mind “Advanced” or “Custom” setup. If you follow the guide attentively, you might see the list of third-party entries that are offered to download with a primary program. Remove the ticks from all pre-selected entries to stop installation of unknown apps.
Important things to do after the Search.webfindersearch.com hijack
Trying to replace Search.webfindersearch.com with another search provider won’t give desired results. Once you reboot the computer, you will find this domain set as your default search engine again. Therefore, you should put more effort to wipe out this cyber threat from the system.
If you want to remove Search.webfindersearch.com virus manually, you have to:
- Uninstall programs that are related to the hijacker from the computer;
- Remove suspicious extensions, add-ons, and toolbars from each of your web browsers;
- Reset web browsers.
Below you can find manual Search.webfindersearch.com removal guidelines. Have a look at them and if they seem clear, start the procedure. However, if you leave some of the hijacker-related entries, you should opt for the automatic elimination option and let security software clean your beloved PC.
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.webfindersearch.com virus. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
The hijacker might have installed some components or programs to the computer, so follow these steps to investigate the system:
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)
Open Firefox's extensions. Uninstall Safer Browser or other extensions that might responsible for replacing your former search engine to Search.webfindersearch.com.
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
Proper termination of Search.webfindersearch.com requires uninstalling suspicious add-ons, extensions or toolbars and Chrome reset.
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.webfindersearch.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 stealing programs
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
- ^ Vangie Beal. PUP - potentially unwanted program. Webopedia. IT terms dictionary.
- ^ Les Virus. Les Virus. Latest malware and cyber security news.
- ^ Karrar Haider. How to Recognize a Phishing Site and What to Do If You Gave Away Your Credentials. Make Tech Easier. Computer tutorials, tips and tricks.