Removing software that causes redirects to the finderflash.club website
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is finderflash.club?
Our researchers discovered finderflash.club while investigating rogue software. This website is classed as a fake search engine, and it is incapable of generating search results.
Typically, sites of this kind are promoted (through redirects) by browser hijackers. Illegitimate search engines and the software endorsing them usually collect sensitive user information as well.
How do browser hijackers promote finderflash.club?
Browser hijackers promote fake search engines by assigning them as browsers' default as well as their homepages and new tab/window URLs. Hence, with one pushing finderflash.club present on the device: new browser tabs/windows opened and Web searches performed via the URL bar – would result in redirects to this site.
Additionally, browser-hijacking software commonly employs persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent browser recovery.
Illegitimate search engines usually redirect to genuine ones since they cannot provide search results themselves. This also applies to finderflash.club. At the time of research, this website redirected to the Bing search engine (bing.com). However, finderflash.club might land elsewhere since it may depend on factors like user geolocation.
Furthermore, fake search engines and browser hijackers are known to track data. Information of interest may include: searched queries, visited URLs, viewed pages, IP addresses, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. The collected data can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.
To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software on devices may result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | finderflash.club browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 172.67.154.250 |
| 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). |
| 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. |
Fake search engine and browser hijacker examples
We have analyzed thousands of illegitimate search engines and browser hijackers; cancelnotifications.com, speedyanswersnow.com, myonesearches.com – are merely a couple examples of the former, and Cosmos Extension, Daily Jokes, Tennis Start – of the latter.
These sites and the software endorsing them do not look suspicious; they tend to appear genuine and useful. However, they rarely work as advertised. Keep in mind that even if a website or a piece of software operates as indicated by its promotional material – that is not proof of either legitimacy or safety.
How did finderflash.club promoting software install on my computer?
"Bundling" – packing ordinary program installation setups with unwanted/malicious additions – is used to distribute browser hijackers. Downloading from dubious sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.
This software may also have "official" promotional webpages, and it is endorsed on deceptive/scam sites. Most users access these pages via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.
Additionally, intrusive advertisements proliferate browser-hijacking software. Once clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We highly recommend researching software before downloading or purchasing it. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and verified channels. When installing, it is essential to read terms, study available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt-out of all supplements.
We also advise caution while browsing since fraudulent and malicious content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive advertisements can look harmless yet redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).
Should you keep encountering such ads and/or redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Appearance of finderflash.club 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is finderflash.club?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove finderflash.club browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove finderflash.club homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove finderflash.club redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Finderflash.club 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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Finderflash.club 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.finderflash.club) 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 "finderflash.club", 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 finderflash.club 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://finderflash.club 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 finderflash.club 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 finderflash.club 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 to visit finderflash.club website?
Redirects to websites like finderflash.club are caused because cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines, etc.) generate revenue through them.
Is visiting finderflash.club a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like finderflash.club typically gather information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are primarily distributed through bundled installers, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal (performed without the aid of security software) might not be a perfect solution. In cases where multiple browser hijackers are present, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software may be able to deny access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes. Hence, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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