Search.hclassifiedlist.net Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is search.hclassifiedlist.net?
There are countless fake search engines on the internet, none of which should be trusted. Note that search.hclassifiedlist.net is one of these dubious search engines. They are often promoted by potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) - in this case, a browser hijacker called Classified List (or Classifieds).
Most people install PUAs unintentionally. Once installed, this PUA changes browser settings and continually records data relating to users' browsing habits. Furthermore, this browser hijacker promotes another fake search engine, search.classifiedlist.net.
Browser hijackers usually target browsers such as Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox. Like most apps of this type, when installed, Classified List changes browser settings. In this case, it assigns search.hclassifiedlist.net as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL.
When these modifications are made, users are forced to visit this website when a browser window or new tab is opened, or a search query is entered into the URL bar. These changes may seem insignificant, however, the settings cannot be reverted as long as Classified List is installed - this PUA prevents users from reassigning settings.
Furthermore, the search.hclassifiedlist.net search engine is not capable of providing any unique results - it simply redirects to search.yahoo.com (a legitimate search engine by Yahoo). Search engines that operate in this manner are useless.
Furthermore, Classified List and search.hclassifiedlist.net track information by recording IP addresses, URLs of visited websites, geo-locations, entered search queries, and other data. Note that fake search engines and browser hijackers also target personal details.
The data is misused to generate revenue - PUAs developers share it with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who monetize it in various ways. This situation can lead to various problems (privacy, browsing safety issues, and so on). In some cases, information tracking can even lead to more serious problems such as identity theft. You are advised to uninstall any installed browser hijackers, including Classified List, immediately.
Name | Classified List 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). Users 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), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious 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 many dubious search engines that are virtually identical to search.hclassifiedlist.net. Some examples are search.fastpackagetracker.co, search.tvnewtabsearch.com, and feed.thegamesearcher.com.
They are supposedly useful and provide various tools and features such as an enhanced browsing experience, however, they deliver no real value and simply cause problems. They are used by developers only to generate revenue.
How did Classified List install on my computer?
Browser hijackers such as Classified List can be downloaded from supposedly official websites, however, most people download and install them unintentionally together with other software. This is through intrusive advertisements that trigger unwanted downloads and installations.
PUAs are installed through other software when developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - they include (bundle) unwanted apps into software download/installation set-ups. All information about the inclusion of PUAs is usually hidden in settings/options such as "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar sections.
Developers are aware that many people download and install software without checking the settings, thus allowing them to trick people into downloading and installing PUAs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download software using official websites and direct links. Do not use Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule (and other tools of this type), unofficial websites, third party downloaders and installers. Carefully study all installation and download processes.
Check all available settings such as "Manual", "Custom", "Advanced", and dismiss any offers to download or install any additional (unwanted) apps. Be careful with ads displayed on dubious, unofficial websites. Clicking them risks being redirected to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other untrustworthy (potentially malicious) websites.
Some of these ads might cause download and installation of various unwanted apps. If you experience these redirects or intrusive ads, check for unwanted applications (extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins) installed on the web browser or suspicious programs installed on the computer/operating system.
Remove any unwanted apps or programs immediately. If your computer is already infected with Classified List, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Website promoting Classified List browser hijacker:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. 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.
Quick menu:
- What is search.hclassifiedlist.net?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Classified List application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove search.hclassifiedlist.net redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Classified List browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.hclassifiedlist.net homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove search.hclassifiedlist.net redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Classified List 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, "Classified List" or "Classifieds"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the search.hclassifiedlist.net website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Classified List 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://search.hclassifiedlist.net 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 "Classified List" (or "Classifieds")
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the classified list 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 "Classified List" (or "Classifieds") 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 "Classified List" (or simply "Classifieds") look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.hclassifiedlist.net) 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 "search.hclassifiedlist.net", 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 classified list 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 "Classified List" (or simply "Classifieds"), 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, disable "Classified List" (or simply "Classifieds") remove hxxp://search.hclassifiedlist.net 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: "moz-extension"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with classified list 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 classified list 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.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on classified list browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
▼ Show Discussion