Feed.searchfrit.com Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is feed.searchfrit.com?
feed.searchfrit.com is one of many dubious, fake search engines on the internet. This site supposedly provides users with faster searches, improved results, and various other features, however, it is promoted using a potentially unwanted application (PUA) called Search Genie.
This dubious app is a browser hijacker that modifies browser settings and collects data relating to users' browsing habits.
Most browser hijacking apps can be installed on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer. When installed, Search Genie assigns feed.searchfrit.com as the default search engine, homepage, and new browser tab URL.
These changes force users (who have this app installed on their systems) to visit feed.searchfrit.com when they open the hijacked browser or a new tab, or they search by entering search queries into the URL bar. These modifications cannot be undone unless Search Genie is uninstalled.
Furthermore, feed.searchfrit.com is a useless search engine, since it provides results generated by Yahoo (it provides no unique results and simply redirects to search.yahoo.com).
Note that this app and its fake search engine are categorized as data tracking tools - they gather browsing related information such as geolocations, URLs of visited websites, entered search queries, IP addresses, and other data of this kind. Personal data might also be recorded.
Furthermore, PUAs developers usually share the information with other parties, potentially, cyber criminals. In this way, the data is misused to generate revenue by various parties. If Search Genie is installed on your browser or computer, remove it immediately.
Name | Search Genie browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab. |
Browser Extension(s) | Search Genie. |
Supposed Functionality | Improved search results, enhanced web browsing experience. |
Promoted Domain(s) | feed.searchfrit.com |
Serving IP Address | 52.234.130.150 |
Detection Names | Malwarebytes hpHosts (Malware), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Related Domains | stream24hour.com, streamit-online.com, live-streaming.online, mysporttab.com, cryptoverto.com, notify-service.com, quick-converter.com, funkystreams.com, pdf-maker.com, incognitosearches.com |
Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine. |
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 browser 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 fake search engines on the internet. Some examples are mapsnow.co, yatab.net, and feed.convertowiz.com. They are usually promoted through PUAs and presented as legitimate search engines. In fact, they cause problems relating to browsing safety, privacy, and other issues. Only the developers benefit from these apps.
How did Search Genie install on my computer?
Search Genie is available on Google Store, however, most people download and install browser hijackers and other PUAs inadvertently/unintentionally. They usually download and install PUAs by clicking intrusive ads displayed on dubious sites or when software developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".
Bundling is used to trick people into downloading and installing PUAs with other, regular software. Generally, they do not disclose information about the inclusion of unwanted apps in download or installation set-ups - they hide them in "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual", or other similar sections.
Therefore, inadvertent installations usually happen when users skip download or installation steps and leave settings unchecked.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download software from official and trustworthy sources/websites, especially if it is free. Avoid using third party downloaders (or installers), torrents, eMule, other Peer-to-Peer networks, and other similar channels. Furthermore, install software with care. Study each download or installation setup, check "Advanced", "Custom", and other similar settings/options.
Opt-out of unwanted offers and only then finish downloading or installing software. Note that various intrusive ads redirect to untrustworthy websites (gambling, pornography, adult dating, and so on) when clicked. If you experience these ads and redirects, check your browser for unwanted entries (extensions, plug-ins, add-ons, etc.) and remove them immediately.
The same applies to programs installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with Search Genie, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Search Genie installation website asking to show notifications:
Search Genie extension in Chrome Web Store:
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:
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Quick menu:
- What is feed.searchfrit.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Search Genie application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove feed.searchfrit.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Search Genie browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove feed.searchfrit.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove feed.searchfrit.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Search Genie 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 Genie"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the feed.searchfrit.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Search Genie 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://feed.searchfrit.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 "feed.searchfrit.com".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search genie 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 Genie" 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 "Search Genie", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.feed.searchfrit.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 "feed.searchfrit.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 search genie 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 "Search Genie", 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 "Search Genie", remove hxxp://feed.searchfrit.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: "feed.searchfrit.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with search genie 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 genie 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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