Simple-finder.com (Removal Guide) - Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
Simple-finder.com Removal Guide
What is Simple-finder.com?
Simple-finder.com is a browser hijacker that might diminish your browsing sessions
Simple-finder.com is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that spreads as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox extensions. This browser hijacker might get installed with the help of freeware bundles. The main activities of this cyber parasite are altering search results or displaying unwanted ads.[1]
| Summary | |
|---|---|
| Name | Simple-finder.com |
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Danger level | Medium. Might alter browser's settings and expose to potentially dangerous web content |
| Symptoms | Changed homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL address, delivery of aggressive ads, redirects to questionable sites, inability to customize web browsers, installation of unknown browser extensions. |
| To uninstall Simple-finder.com, install FortectIntego and run a full system scan | |
So-called Simple-finder.com virus does not spread itself. It’s not a dangerous computer virus.[2] It’s an annoying application that is typically hidden in freeware packages, so if you do not pay attention to the installation process or overlooked “additional downloads” you let this PUP to come to your PC as well.
Some versions of the Simple Finder might replace browser’s default homepage, built-in search engine or new tab URL address. However, the most common symptom of the infection is seeing Waiting for Simple-finder.com” alert at the bottom while redirecting to your search results page or other domain.
If browser’s startup page was not changed, such activities might be hard to notice. However, you might notice significantly decreased browsing speed. Additionally, you might encounter browser redirects to suspicious sites and lots of ads. Such activities are needed for generating revenue from online advertising.
Browser hijacker might also collect various information in order to display targeted ads, meaning they might look interesting for you and you are more willing to click on them. PUPs might track:
- technical details about your computer, operating system, and web browser;
- last visited websites and pages;
- search queries;
- clicked ads;
- IP address;
- etc.
In some cases, the hijacker can collect personal information too, for instance, if you search for your full name. Additionally, you can never be sure if this PUP hasn’t installed any browser extension that aims to steal passwords, login details or other sensitive data. Privacy protection is one of the reasons why you need to hurry up with Simple-finder.com removal.
The biggest issue here is that Simple-finder might display malicious ads and redirect to fraudulent websites. Hence, within one click you can catch ransomware, data-stealing trojan or suffer from scammers’ tricks.
Avoiding Simple-finder.com redirect problems might not be easy. The hijacker might open a new browser’s tab any minute. For this reason, you need to clean your browsers and computer. You can follow manual instructions at the end of this article, or you can speed up the procedure with anti-malware software.
If you are interested in simpler and quicker solution, to remove Simple-finder.com, you should scan your computer with FortectIntego or your preferred updated security software. However, do not forget to rest Firefox, Chrome or another web browser. In this way, you can be sure that all nasty extensions and tracking cookies are deleted.
Tips to avoid browser hijack
This browser hijacker is similar to many other cyber infections belonging to this category. It spreads bundled with free programs as an additional component. However, you can notice it and stop its installation only if you choose Custom or Advanced installation settings.
Quick or Recommended settings do not give this possibility, so if you choose it, you give indirect permission to install the whole software bundle. Security specialists from viruset.no[3] remind that correct installation of programs requires less time than dealing with viruses or PUPs.
Eliminate Simple-finder.com from your browser
To remove simple-finder.com, you have to uninstall suspicious browser extensions, reset the browser and uninstall all questionable programs from the computer. Please, follow the guide below attentively to make sure that all threats are deleted.
If you still notice hijacker’s activities, you should proceed with automatic Simple-finder.com removal. For that, you need to obtain legitimate security program, update it and run a full system scan.
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 Simple-finder.com. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
To eliminate all hijacker-related components, follow these steps:
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)
Get rid of Simple Finder and reset Mozilla Firefox by performing these steps:
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
Uninstall Simple-finder.com from Chrome by following these steps:
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 Simple-finder.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
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.
If this free guide helped you and you are satisfied with our service, please consider making a donation to keep this service alive. Even a smallest amount will be appreciated.
- ^ Mike Sunnucks. Why annoying online ads are more dangerous than you think. The Business Journals. Business News.
- ^ The World’s Most Dangerous Computer Viruses That Caused The Most Damage. Techyuga. The blog about technology, cyber security and computers.
- ^ Viruset. Viruset. Cyber security news.