How to remove Sticky Notes browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Sticky Notes?
While testing the Sticky Notes application, we found that it is an extension that functions as a browser hijacker. It hijacks a web browser by changing its settings to promote finddbest.com - a fake search engine. It is uncommon for apps of this type to be added to browsers intentionally. Our team discovered Sticky Notes on a deceptive page.
Sticky Notes browser hijacker overview
Sticky Notes sets the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to finddbest.com. After inspecting finddbest.com, we found that it redirects users to bing.com (via find.ssrcnav.com). Finddbest.com shows Bing results. Bing is a legitimate search engine.
Fake and other untrustworthy search engines can redirect to shady pages, generate misleading results, and (or) display dubious advertisements. Thus, it is recommended to use legitimate search engines (like Google) only.
Another detail about Sticky Notes is that it may gather browsing-related information. Collected data may be sold to third parties, used for marketing purposes, or monetized in other ways. Thus, Sticky Notes should be removed to avoid issues related to online privacy.
| Name | Sticky Notes |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Sticky Notes |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | finddbest.co |
| Detection Names (finddbest.co) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (finddbest.co) | 54.161.222.85 |
| 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. |
Browser hijackers in general
The purpose of browser hijackers is to promote shady (or fake) search engines. Most browser-hijacking apps change the settings of web browsers to promote those search engines. However, some of these apps do not change any settings. Usually, browser hijackers are promoted using deceptive methods to trick users into adding them to browsers.
Examples of browser-hijacking apps are National Parks Tab, Cats fanpage, and Clean Notifications.
How did Sticky Notes install on my computer?
Sticky Notes is promoted on a shady website that strongly recommends adding this extension to a browser. This app gets added (hijacks web browsers) after completing the steps provided on that (and another) page.
Another popular way to trick users into adding browser hijackers is to bundle them with other programs. In such cases, installers have "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings mentioning additional offers. Users agree to add/install unwanted apps when they finish installations without changing those settings.
Sometimes, unexpected downloads and installations are caused by clicking dubious ads designed to run certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download applications from official websites and stores. Avoid downloading apps without reviews and always read them before downloading apps. Check downloaders and installers for unwanted apps and deselect those apps before completing downloads and installations. Do not trust ads on suspicious pages or allow such websites to show notifications.
If your computer is already infected with Sticky Notes, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Finddbest.co redirects to bing.com via find.ssrcnav.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Sticky Notes browser hijacker:
Deceptive website promoting Sticky Notes 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is Sticky Notes?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Sticky Notes application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Sticky Notes browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove finddbest.co homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove finddbest.co redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Sticky Notes 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the finddbest.co website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Sticky Notes browser hijacker 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 "Sticky Notes" and other 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 "Sticky Notes", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.finddbest.co) 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 "finddbest.co", 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 finddbest.co 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 extensions 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 "Sticky Notes", as well as 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 "Sticky Notes", remove hxxp://finddbest.co 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 finddbest.co 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 finddbest.co 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 visit finddbest.co website?
The more users finddbest.co has, the more revenue its creators generate. Finddbest.co is promoted for financial gain.
Is visiting finddbest.co a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines like finddbest.co can be designed to gather various information about their visitors. Thus, using them can lead to issues related to online privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Most users add browser hijackers to browsers via deceptive websites, untrustworthy advertisements, notifications from shady pages, etc. Also, browser hijackers can be found in freeware installers.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Sticky Notes browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will remove this browser hijacker. If multiple browser hijackers are added to a browser, it may be required to remove all of them at once since apps of this type can be designed to reinstall one another. It can be difficult to achieve it manually. Thus, we recommend using Combo Cleaner for removal.
Outstanding!
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