Findter.com Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is findter.com?
StreamingOnlineWatch is a browser-hijacking application that falsely claims to allow users to watch various movies and TV series directly from their browsers free of charge.
This functionality may seem legitimate and useful, however, StreamingOnlineWatch is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA) and a browser hijacker. There are three main reasons for these negative associations: 1) stealth installation without users' consent; 2) promotion of a fake search engine, and; 3) tracking of browsing activity.
StreamingOnlineWatch promotes the findter.com fake search engine. Immediately after infiltration, it hijacks Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, assigning findter.com as the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options. These changes may not seem significant, however, users are unable to revert them.
Research shows that StreamingOnlineWatch reassigns browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, as long as this browser hijacker is present, returning browsers to their previous states is impossible and users are encouraged to visit findter.com when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar.
This significantly diminishes the browsing experience. In addition, StreamingOnlineWatch and findter.com record user-system information relating to browsing activity. Collected data typically includes personal details. Furthermore, developers share these details with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing private data.
Therefore, information tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, you are strongly advised to eliminate the StreamingOnlineWatch browser hijacker and never return to findter.com.
Name | StreamingOnlineWatch 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. |
There are dozens of browser-hijacking applications that share similarities with StreamingOnlineWatch. The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) My Inbox Helper, WowMovix, MomentumLite, and Search Administrator. Note that all claim to provide "useful features", however, these claims are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.
These programs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than giving any real value for regular users, browser-hijacking applications cause unwanted redirects and record sensitive information. Furthermore, fake search engines can generate misleading results and intrusive advertisements.
These typically lead to dubious websites. Therefore, using fake search engines can lead to high-risk computer infections.
How did StreamingOnlineWatch install on my computer?
StreamingOnlineWatch is free for anyone to download on its official website, however, due to the lack of knowledge and careless behavior of many users, findter.com often infiltrates systems without permission. Research shows that developers proliferate this browser hijacker using intrusive advertising and "bundling" methods.
Intrusive advertisements redirect to malicious websites and execute scripts that download/install malware. "Bundling", on the other hand, is stealth installation of third party applications/browser plug-ins. Developers hide "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes.
Furthermore, many users often click various advertisements, rush download/installation procedures, and skip steps. This behavior can lead to inadvertent installation of PUAs such as StreamingOnlineWatch.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Lack of knowledge and careless behavior are the main reasons for computer infections. Caution is the key to safety. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs, opt-out of additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them.
We advise you to avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since developers monetize them by promoting ("bundling") PUAs. Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links.
Note also that intrusive advertisements typically seem legitimate, but developers invest many resources into their design and most redirect to untrustworthy websites, such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on. They are delivered by adware-type applications.
Therefore, if you experience suspicious redirects, eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with StreamingOnlineWatch, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
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Quick menu:
- What is findter.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall StreamingOnlineWatch application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove findter.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove StreamingOnlineWatch browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove findter.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove findter.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
StreamingOnlineWatch 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, "StreamingOnlineWatch"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the findter.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
StreamingOnlineWatch 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://findter.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 "findter".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the streamingonlinewatch 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 "StreamingOnlineWatch" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "StreamingOnlineWatch", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.findter.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click on 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 "findter.com", 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 streamingonlinewatch 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 "StreamingOnlineWatch", 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://findter.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: "findter.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with streamingonlinewatch 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 streamingonlinewatch 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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