Searchfortpro.com Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is searchfortpro.com?
Search fort pro is a deceptive application that falsely claims to enhance the Internet search experience by speeding the entire process and generating improved results.
On initial inspection, this functionality may appear legitimate and useful, however, searchfortpro.com often infiltrates systems without permission. Furthermore, it modifies browser options without users' consent and continually records various information. For these reasons, Search fort pro is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) and a browser hijacker.
Research shows that Search fort pro targets the most popular web browsers - Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Following infiltration, Search fort pro modifies the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options by assigning them to searchfortpro.com.
From this point, users are automatically redirected to searchfortpro.com when they search via the URL bar or simply open a new browser tab. These unwanted redirects significantly diminish users' Internet browsing experience.
In addition, users are unable to revert changes performed by Search fort pro - this application continues to reassign browser settings when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible. Search fort pro is essentially used to deceptively build traffic for the searchfortpro.com fake Internet search engine.
Another downside is data tracking. Search fort pro (and, potentially, searchfortpro.com) continually records various data types that might contain personal details. Developers later sell the collected data with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). Therefore, information tracking might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.
In addition, some PUPs exploit system resources to mine cryptocurrency or run other unwanted processes. The presence of these applications can result in a significant reduction in overall system performance. You are advised to uninstall Search fort pro and other potentially unwanted programs immediately.
Name | Search fort pro browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Search fort pro is virtually identical to HD Video Search Tool, Your Map View, Easy Coupon Access, and dozens of other browser-hijacking applications. Note that all of these programs offer different features, however, their behavior is identical. Claims to provide 'useful features' are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
The only purpose of all PUPs is to generate revenue for the developers. Most of these apps deliver no real value for regular users. PUPs pose a direct threat to users' privacy and Internet browsing safety. Be aware that fake search engines may feed users with intrusive advertisements (e.g., coupons, banners, so on) and/or false search results.
These ads/results typically lead to malicious websites. Some ads execute scripts that download/install malware or other PUPs. Therefore, using fake search engines risks various computer infections.
How did searchfortpro.com install on my computer?
Search fort pro has an official promotion website, however, this browser hijacker usually infiltrates systems without permission. Be aware that browser hijackers are also distributed a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" (stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software/apps) and the aforementioned intrusive ads.
Developers hide "bundled" apps within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download or installation processes. Many users rush these procedures and skip steps. Furthermore, they often click various advertisements without considering the possible consequences. In doing so, they expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. Therefore, be cautious during the download/installation processes and when browsing the Internet. Carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogues and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.
We also recommend that you download software from official sources only and, if possible, using a direct download link. Criminals monetize third party downloaders/installers by promoting rogue programs (the "bundling" method). These tools should never be used.
Furthermore, bear in mind that most intrusive ads look legitimate, however, they redirect to dubious websites (e.g., gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.) If you are redirected to such websites, immediately eliminate all suspicious apps and browser plug-ins. The key to computer safety is caution.
Website promoting Search fort pro browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is searchfortpro.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Search fort pro application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove searchfortpro.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Search fort pro browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove searchfortpro.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove searchfortpro.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Search fort pro browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently-installed suspicious applications (for example, "Search fort pro"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the searchfortpro.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Search fort pro browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://searchfortpro.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "search fort pro".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search fort pro browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Search fort pro" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.searchfortpro.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list, look for "sear char", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search fort pro browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions" and remove "Search fort pro", as well as all other recently-installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://searchfortpro.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "searchfortpro.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with search fort pro browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search fort pro browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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