Removing the Film Links Now Default Search browser-hijacking extension

What is Film Links Now | Default Search?

Discovered by our researchers while inspecting sites that use rogue advertising networks, Film Links Now | Default Search is a rogue browser extension. We determined that this piece of software is a browser hijacker. It modifies browser settings and promotes the filmlinksnow.com fake search engine.

Film Links Now | Default Search browser hijacker overview

Following successful installation, we observed Film Links Now | Default Search causing redirects to filmlinksnow.com when new browser tabs/windows were opened and web searches were performed via the URL bar.

In addition to altering browser settings to push filmlinksnow.com, this extension also uses persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent browser recovery.

Fraudulent search engines usually cannot generate search results and redirect to legitimate ones. During our analysis, filmlinksnow.com redirected to the Bing search engine. However, it might land elsewhere since the redirects can be dictated by various factors (e.g., user geolocations, etc.).

Most browser hijackers have data tracking abilities, and Film Links Now | Default Search is not an exception. Typically, this software targets browsing information (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and other sensitive data (personally identifiable details, account credentials, credit card numbers, etc.). The collected data is monetized by being sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of browser-hijacking software like Film Links Now | Default Search on devices can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Film Links Now | Default Search
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Film Links Now | Default Search, Film Links Now
Promoted URL	filmlinksnow.com
Detection Names (filmlinksnow.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the 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. ▼ 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.

Browser hijacker examples

ConvertersCoolSearch, Easy-Search, LiveTab - Live Streams In Your Browser Tab, and PickMySearch are some examples of the browser hijackers we have analyzed.

This software appears legitimate and handy. Users are enticed into download/installation with promises of various functionalities (e.g., easy access to online content, improved browsing experience, etc.). However, these features seldom work as promised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational.

How did Film Links Now | Default Search install on my computer?

We acquired Film Links Now | Default Search from its "official" promotional webpage, which was discovered through a redirect from a site using rogue advertising networks.

Dubious download pages can be accessed variously, e.g., through mistyped URLs or redirects caused by rogue websites, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).

Bundling - packing regular programs with unwanted/malicious supplements - is also used to spread browser-hijacking software. Download from untrustworthy channels (e.g., Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, unofficial and freeware websites, etc.) and rushed installations - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.

Furthermore, some intrusive advertisements can download/install browser hijackers (and other suspect software) - once clicked on.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly advise researching software and downloading from official/verified sources. When installing, we recommend - reading terms, exploring possible options, using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additions.

It is just as important to exercise caution when browsing, as illegitimate and malicious content usually looks genuine. For example, intrusive ads appear harmless, yet they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

If you experience such advertisements or redirects, check the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Film Links Now | Default Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Website promoting the Film Links Now | Default Search browser hijacker:

Appearance of filmlinksnow.com redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

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 Film Links Now | Default Search?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Film Links Now | Default Search application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Film Links Now | Default Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove filmlinksnow.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove filmlinksnow.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Film Links Now | Default Search 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, "Film Links Now | Default Search"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the filmlinksnow.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Film Links Now | Default Search browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Film Links Now | Default Search browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

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 "Film Links Now | Default Search" 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 "Film Links Now | Default Search" (or simply "Film Links Now"), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.filmlinksnow.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 "filmlinksnow.com", 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 filmlinksnow.com redirect, 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "Film Links Now | Default Search", 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 "Film Links Now | Default Search", remove hxxp://filmlinksnow.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: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with filmlinksnow.com redirect 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 filmlinksnow.com redirect, 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit filmlinksnow.com website?

The developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines generate revenue via these redirects.

Is visiting filmlinksnow.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Sites like filmlinksnow.com typically gather (and sell) information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are mainly distributed through misleading promotional webpages, intrusive adverts, spam browser notifications, online scams, freeware and third-party download websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, fake updates, and so on.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Film Links Now | Default Search browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning systems and eliminating detected browser-hijacking apps. It has to be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective when multiple browser hijackers are present, as this software may be able to re-install one another. Additionally, browser hijackers may restrict access to browsing settings or undo user-made changes. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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