How to remove findsmartresults.com from a browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is findsmartresults.com?
Findsmartresults.com is a shady search engine that generates misleading results. We discovered it after downloading and adding a browser-hijacking application (extension) to a web browser. That application promotes findsmartresults.com by manipulating the settings of a web browser.
More about findsmartresults.com
Browser hijackers replace the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page with a fake/untrustworthy search engine (in this case, findsmartresults.com). After testing findsmartresults.com, we found that it generates irrelevant/misleading results.
Clicking on links shown by this search engine can open technical support scam sites, phishing websites, pages promoting potentially malicious software/applications, etc. Another detail about findsmartresults.com is that it shows notifications. These notifications can open untrustworthy websites too.
Usually, fake search engines (their addresses) cannot be removed from the settings of hijacked web browsers until browser hijackers are removed. Sometimes, fake search engines are promoted without modifying the settings of Interner browsers. Either way, it is strongly recommended to use only legitimate search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.
| Name | findsmartresults.com browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Supposed Functionality | Accurate search results |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 151.101.70.114 |
| 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. |
More about browser hijackers
Some browser hijackers (and shady search engines) can read browsing data and other information. In such cases, using hijacked web browsers can cause problems related to online privacy. It is worth mentioning that not all fake search engines generate misleading results. Some show results generated by legitimate engines.
Examples of browser hijackers are My Keypro, UltraCouponSearch, and Mondy Search.
How did findsmartresults.com promoting software install on my computer?
It is common for browser hijackers to be downloaded from various deceptive websites (e.g., websites claiming that it is required to add an extension to a browser to perform certain actions). In other cases, these apps are distributed via shady advertisements and software bundles (installers containing multiple apps).
When installers include browser hijackers, they have "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings or ticked checkboxes. Browsers get hijacked after completing installations without changing those settings (or unticking checkboxes).
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Always download apps from trustworthy (official) pages and stores. Do not trust apps and files downloaded from other sources (like third-party downloaders, unofficial pages, or Peer-to-Peer networks). Do not click on advertisements and notifications displayed by questionable web pages.
Check downloaders and installers for optional downloads and installations and deselect them before downloading/installing software. Never agree to receive notifications from suspicious pages. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Findsmartresults.com shows misleading results (GIF):
Notifications from findsmartresults.com:
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 findsmartresults.com?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove findsmartresults.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove findsmartresults.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove findsmartresults.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
findsmartresults.com redirect 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the findsmartresults.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
findsmartresults.com redirect removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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 all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.findsmartresults.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 "findsmartresults.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the findsmartresults.com 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove hxxp://findsmartresults.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 "Accept the Risk and Continue".
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 findsmartresults.com 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 findsmartresults.com 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 findsmartresults.com browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit findsmartresults.com website?
When more users use this search engine, its developers earn more money.
Is visiting findsmartresults.com a threat to my privacy?
Fake/untrustworthy search engines like findsmartresults.com can be designed to gather various information about users. Thus, this may cause problems related to online privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are distributed via browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, deceptive pages, software bundles (installers containing multiple apps), etc. Most users add browser hijackers to browsers inadvertently.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner will run a system scan and eliminate all browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal may be difficult if multiple browser hijackers are present. Apps of this type can be designed to reinstall one another. Thus, all of them have to be removed at once (which can be difficult to achieve manually).
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion