5finder.com Redirect

What is 5finder.com?

Identical to search.xyz and spicystart.com, 5finder.com is a fake Internet search engine that supposedly enhances users' browsing experience by generating improved results.

Initially, this site may appear legitimate and useful, however, criminals promote it using a browser-hijacking application called 5Finder. Furthermore, 5finder.com and 5Finder continually gather various sensitive data (mostly relating to web browsing habits).

Research shows that 5Finder targets Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Immediately after infiltration, 5Finder assigns the new tab URL, homepage, and default search engine browser options to 5finder.com.

Although these changes may seem insignificant, users are unable to revert them: when they attempt to change browser settings, 5Finder immediately reassigns them to 5finder.com. Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are forced to visit 5finder.com when they open a new browser tab or enter a search query into the URL bar.

These unwanted redirects significantly diminish the browsing experience. 5finder.com and 5Finder record various data such as IP addresses, URLs visited, search queries, etc. Collected data typically includes private details that developers sell third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse personal data to generate revenue.

There is a high probability that data tracking will lead to serious privacy issues. In addition, some browser-hijacking apps are known to diminish system performance by misusing system resources to mine cryptocurrencies or run other unwanted processes in the background.

Therefore, you are strongly advised to eliminate the 5Finder browser hijacker immediately and never return to 5finder.com.

Threat Summary:

Name	5Finder 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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

5finder.com is a regular fake search engine, which means that it shares many similarities with chromesearch.net, 12startpage.com, citypage.today, and many others.

All of these sites offer improved search results and, in some cases, other 'useful features' (e.g., shortcuts to popular websites, weather forecasts, etc.), however, these claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. In fact, fake search engines deliver no real value for regular users.

Websites such as 5finder.com are designed only to generate revenue for the developers - they cause unwanted redirects and gather information.

Some are also known to generate intrusive ads (banners, coupons, etc.) and/or misleading search results. Both typically lead to malicious websites. Furthermore, intrusive ads often run scripts that stealthily download and install malware. Therefore, using a fake Internet search engine might result in high-risk computer infections.

How did 5finder.com install on my computer?

As mentioned above, 5finder.com is promoted via the 5Finder browser hijacker. This potentially unwanted program (PUP) has an official download. Despite this, 5Finder typically infiltrates systems without permission. The reasons for this are lack of knowledge and careless behavior by many users.

These browser hijackers are distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" with intrusive ads. "Bundling" is stealth installation of third party applications with regular software/apps. Developers conceal "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" options or other sections of the download/installation processes.

By rushing these processes, skipping steps, and clicking various advertisements, many users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent system infiltration by PUPs, be very cautious during the download/installation processes and browsing the Internet. Carefully analyze each download/installation step and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.

We also strongly advise you to avoid using unofficial downloaders/installers, since these tools are monetized using the "bundling" method (criminals promote rogue software).

Cyber criminals invest many resources into intrusive ad design. In most cases, these ads appear legitimate, however, they are distinguishable, since most lead to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other dubious websites. As well as fake search engines, these ads are also generated by adware-type PUPs.

If you experience such redirects, immediately eliminate all dubious programs/browser plug-ins. The key to computer safety is caution.

Website promoting 5Finder browser hijacker:

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Quick menu:

• What is 5finder.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall 5Finder application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove 5finder.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove 5Finder browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 5finder.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove 5finder.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

5Finder 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, "5Finder"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs that cause browser redirects to the 5finder.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

5Finder 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://5finder.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 "5finder".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the 5finder 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 "5Finder" 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.5finder.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 "5Finder", 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 5finder 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 on "Extensions" and remove "5Finder", 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://5finder.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: "5finder.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with 5finder 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 5finder 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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