How to remove flashcleaner.xyz from a web browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is flashcleaner.xyz?
Our team inspected flashcleaner.xyz and found that it is a fake search engine that shows results generated by another search engine. A big part of fake search engines is promoted through browser hijackers. Usually, these apps promote fake (or unreliable) search engines by changing browser settings.
More about flashcleaner.xyz
Flashcleaner.xyz redirects users to bing.com - it shows Bing results. Bing.com is a legitimate search engine. However, it does not make flashcleaner.xyz a trustworthy site. It is common for questionable search engines to redirect users to dubious sites (e.g., pages designed to show fake virus alerts and extract sensitive information) and gather various data.
Shady search engines may generate a lot of spam and unwanted pop-ups that can be annoying and potentially harmful. Also, they may track their online activities and not provide accurate or relevant search results. It is always recommended to use reputable and trusted search engines to ensure a safe and secure online experience.
| Name | flashcleaner.xyz browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Supposed Functionality | Search engine |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Detection Names | Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 172.67.152.232 |
| 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
A browser hijacker is a type of unwanted app that takes control of a user's web browser. Once installed/added, it can modify the browser's settings, such as the homepage, default search engine, and new tab page, and redirect the user to unwanted websites (including shady search engines).
It is common for browser hijackers to be promoted and distributed using deceptive methods. Thus, users often download and install/add them unknowingly. Examples of different browser hijackers are Daily Jokes, Tennis Start, and Infinity Search.
How did flashcleaner.xyz promoting software install on my computer?
Browser hijackers are commonly distributed through software bundles, fake updates, and pages offering malicious downloads. Additionally, they can be accidentally downloaded by clicking on harmful links or visiting compromised websites.
Some software bundles can contain unwanted programs, such as browser hijackers, that are installed alongside the desired software when users do not change "Custom" or "Advanced" (or similar) settings provided in installers.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Download applications from reliable sources such as official pages and verified stores. Before installing any application, read reviews from other users to ensure it is safe. Avoid trusting advertisements from untrustworthy websites, and do not agree to receive notifications from these sites.
When downloading and installing programs, be sure to deselect any unwanted bundled apps that may be included in the downloaders or installers. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Flashcleaner.xyz redirects to bing.com (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 flashcleaner.xyz?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove flashcleaner.xyz browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove flashcleaner.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove flashcleaner.xyz redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
flashcleaner.xyz 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 flashcleaner.xyz website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
flashcleaner.xyz 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.flashcleaner.xyz) 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 "flashcleaner.xyz", 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 flashcleaner.xyz 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://flashcleaner.xyz 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 flashcleaner.xyz 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 flashcleaner.xyz 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit flashcleaner.xyz website?
The creators of flashcleaner.xyz generate revenue through redirects. Thus, their goal is to increase the number of users as much as they can.
Is visiting flashcleaner.xyz a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines can cause damage by collecting and exploiting user data for profit and displaying misleading or harmful search results. This can lead to compromised online privacy and security.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
The main ways in which browser hijackers are distributed include packaged installation setups, unreliable download channels such as freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, scams on the internet, spam notifications from browsers, and intrusive advertisements.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner scans and removes detected browser hijackers from your computer. Manual removal may not be effective, especially if multiple hijackers are present. Removing one hijacker may result in the others reinstalling it, and the software may make removal-related settings inaccessible, requiring simultaneous elimination.
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