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Remove Searchfast.ru virus (Virus Removal Instructions) - Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge

removal by Jake Doevan - - | Type: Browser hijacker
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Seeing Searchfast.ru on your browser is the sign of infection

The picture of Searchfast.ru

Searchfast.ru is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and a browser hijacker. The program might enter the system bundled with freeware and alter Google Chrome's, Mozilla Firefox's, Internet Explorer's and other popular browser’s settings in order to take over the targeted browser.


The hijacker mostly aims at computer users located in Russia.[1] However, careless software installation from unknown sources may help it to infiltrate devices in other parts of the world.

On the affected device, it alters browser’s settings in order to set http://searchfast.ru/go/?q= as default search engine and homepage address. To prevent users from switching back to their preferred domain, the hijacker might alter Windows Registry and various shortcuts. Thus, Searchfast.ru removal might be slightly complicated.

When these changes are made, the hijacker might start causing undesired activities on the browser, such as delivering lots of commercial content on the browser. It might alter search results and include sponsored links at the top of the results page.

What is more, Searchfast.ru virus might also display pop-ups, banners, discount coupons and other types of online ads while users are browsing the web. Undoubtedly, such activities diminish browsing experience. However, these ads might put users at risk too.

One of the biggest problems related to the hijacker is its redirect tendencies. This cyber threat might deliver potentially dangerous content that may lead to high-risk websites. Here users might be tricked to install or purchase bogus software, reveal personal information to criminals or get infected with a malicious trojan.

As you can see, clicking on content provided by this program might end up with computer-related problems or data loss. However, the hijacker might also be interested in tracking information.[2] Usually, such data includes:

  • IP address;
  • location;
  • search keywords;
  • clicked ads;
  • visited websites;
  • other browsing-related data.

Usually, this data is used for displaying interest-based ads. However, it might also be shared or sold to unknown third-parties and advertising networks. Thus, you can expect an increased amount of strange online ads.

However, this browser add-on is also known of being capable of installing partners’ extension and tracking technologies. The problem is that these tools might be harmful and lead to serious privacy-related issues. For this reason, you should remove Searchfast.ru from the computer with the help of ReimageIntego.

The image of Searchfast.ru virusSearchfast.ru is a suspicious search tool that might appear on the computer after the installation of freeware.

The hijack might occur during the installation of freeware

For a while, this tool has been available on Chrome Play store and other legitimate websites. However, currently Searchfast.ru is hard to find on any of such sites, but computer users report about hijacked web browsers continuously.

Indeed, one of the main ways how the hijacker is spread is software bundles. Thus, the Searchfast.ru hijack might occur during the installation of freeware or shareware.[3] This program might be added as an optional download, and if user rushes to install the necessary software, he or she might install undesired apps as well.

In order to avoid such applications, you have to:

  • use Advanced/Custom installation method;
  • monitor installation procedure;
  • read notifications, Privacy Policy, and EULA;
  • look up for the checkbox with pre-selected entries and unmark them all.

Terminate Searchfast.ru virus from the computer right now

Just like any other browser hijacker, this one can be eliminated either manually or automatically. Manual Searchfast.ru removal suggest investigating the system and deleting all hijacker-related files.

By following the instructions below, you need to check the list of installed programs via Control Panel. If you cannot find any suspicious software, you should review installed browser extension of each of your web browser. Once all suspicious entries are terminated, you have to reset browsers.

If you would like to simplify this procedure, you can remove Searchfast.ru automatically. This method offers to scan the system with anti-malware software and deleting all suspicious files with the help of it.

You may remove virus damage with a help of ReimageIntego. 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.

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Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Reimage, try running SpyHunter 5.
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Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.
Download Combo Cleaner Review »
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To remove Searchfast.ru virus, follow these steps:

Eliminate Searchfast.ru from Windows systems

In order to remove Searchfast.ru browser hijacker, you need to investigate the system and look up for suspicious programs installed to your PC.

  1. Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs). Click 'Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features' (if you are 'Windows XP' user, click on 'Add/Remove Programs').
  2. If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program. If you are 'Windows 10 / Windows 8' user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once 'Quick Access Menu' shows up, select 'Control Panel' and 'Uninstall a Program'.
  3. Uninstall Searchfast.ru and related programs
    Here, look for Searchfast.ru or any other recently installed suspicious programs.
  4. Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes. Right click on each of suspicious entries and select 'Uninstall'
  5. Remove Searchfast.ru from Windows shortcuts
    Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties. Right click on browsers' icon and select 'Properties'
  6. Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus. Select 'Shortcut' tab and delete 'http://isearch.babylon.com...' or other suspicious URL

Repeat steps that are given above with all browsers' shortcuts, including Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Make sure you check all locations of these shortcuts, including Desktop, Start Menu and taskbar.

Delete Searchfast.ru from Mac OS X system

If your macOS is displaying some infection symptoms, proceed with the following guide:

Remove Searchfast.ru from Applications folder:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for Searchfast.ru-related entries.
  3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)Uninstall from Mac 1

To fully remove Searchfast.ru, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
  3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries related to Searchfast.ru and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the Searchfast.ru-related entries.Uninstall from Mac 2

Get rid of Searchfast.ru from Internet Explorer (IE)

After the hijack, you have to clean Internet Explorer from hijacker-related components. These guidelines will help you:

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Searchfast.ru and other suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete…
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Searchfast.ru removal.Reset Internet Explorer

Uninstall Searchfast.ru virus from Microsoft Edge

Follow the instructions to fix Microsoft Edge after the hijack.

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the Searchfast.ru-related extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click on Uninstall at the bottom.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.Clear Edge browsing data

Reset MS Edge if that above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

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.

  1. Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
  2. Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
  3. Right-click on them and pick DeleteAdvanced MS Edge reset 1
  4. Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  5. 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” -VerboseAdvanced MS Edge reset 2

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove Searchfast.ru from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

In order to get rid of all hijacker-related files, you need to uninstall Search Fast and other suspicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox.

  1. Remove dangerous extensions
    Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. Click on menu icon and select 'Add-ons'
  2. Here, select Searchfast.ru and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries. Select 'Extensions' and look for malicious entries. Click 'Remove' to get rid of each of them
  3. Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
    Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General.
  4. Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
  5. Click OK to save these changes. When in 'General' tab, delete malicious URL from 'Home Page' section or click on 'Restore to Default' button. Click 'OK' to save changes
  6. Reset Mozilla Firefox
    Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. Click on menu icon and then on '?'. Select 'Troubleshooting Information'
  7. Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Searchfast.ru removal. Click on 'Reset Firefox' button for a couple of times

Erase Searchfast.ru from Google Chrome

Getting rid of Searchfast.ru requires uninstalling unknown browser extensions and resetting Google Chrome.

  1. Delete malicious plugins
    Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. Click on menu icon. Select 'Tools' and 'Extensions'
  2. Here, select Searchfast.ru and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries. Look for malicious entries and delete each of them by clicking on the Trash bin icon
  3. Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
    Click on menu icon and choose Settings.
  4. Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages. After clicking on menu and 'Settings', select 'Set pages'
  5. Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage. Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
  6. Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section. When in 'Settings', select 'Manage search engines...'
  7. When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name. Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
  8. Reset Google Chrome
    Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings.
  9. Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings. When in 'Settings', scroll down to 'Reset browser settings' button and click on it
  10. Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Searchfast.ru removal. Click on 'Reset' button to complete your removal

Eliminate Searchfast.ru from Safari

  1. Remove dangerous extensions
    Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. Click on 'Safari' and select 'Preferences'
  2. Here, select Extensions and look for Searchfast.ru or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them. Go to 'Extensions' and uninstall malicious add-ons
  3. Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
    Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General.
  4. Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by Searchfast.ru, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the "http://" before typing in the address of the page. When in 'General', delete malicious URL and enter your desired domain name
  5. Reset Safari
    Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... Click on 'Safari' and select 'Reset Safari...'
  6. Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Searchfast.ru removal process. Select all options and click on 'Reset' button

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.

About the author
Jake Doevan
Jake Doevan - Computer technology expert

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References

This entry was posted on 2017-07-11 at 01:32 and is filed under Stealing programs, Viruses.

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