Removal instructions for Plant Planet browser hijacker and its redirects
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is Plant Planet?
While investigating dubious websites, our research team discovered the Plant Planet browser extension. It is endorsed as a quick-access tool to healthy lifestyle related content. Our analysis revealed that Plant Planet operates as a browser hijacker and promotes (through redirects) the finddbest.co illegitimate search engine.
Plant Planet browser hijacker overview
Browser hijackers modify browsers by reassigning their homepages, default search engines, and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of promoted websites. Hence, with Plant Planet installed on our test machine: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar – resulted in redirects to the finddbest.co site.
Fake search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they redirect to genuine ones. At the time of analysis, finddbest.co redirected to the Bing search engine (bing.com). However, it might land elsewhere since factors like user geolocation can impact redirects.
Furthermore, most browser hijackers use persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers, and Plant Planet is not an exception.
What is more, this rogue browser extension likely has data-tracking abilities. Information of interest can include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The collected information can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.
In summary, the presence of software like Plant Planet on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
| Name | Plant Planet |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Plant Planet |
| Supposed Functionality | Quick access to healthy lifestyle related content. |
| Promoted URL | finddbest.co |
| Detection Names (finddbest.co) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (finddbest.co) | 216.239.34.21 |
| 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). |
| 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 hijacker examples
Lady Like, Everything Music, Virtual Zone, and SurfGuru are merely some examples of browser hijackers we have analyzed recently.
Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and harmless. It also offers a broad range of "handy" features, which are rarely operational. It must be noted that even if a piece of software works as promised – that is not proof of either legitimacy or safety.
How did Plant Planet install on my computer?
We obtained Plant Planet from its "official" promotional page. In addition to such sites, browser hijackers are endorsed on scam webpages. Users typically enter such pages via redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.
Browser-hijacking software can also be bundled (packed together) with regular programs. Downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations – increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the device.
Additionally, intrusive advertisements proliferate browser hijackers. Once clicked on, some of the adverts can execute scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. When installing, it is essential to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt out of all supplements (e.g., apps, extensions, tools, etc.).
Another recommendation is to exercise caution while browsing since fake and dangerous content usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive ads may look harmless – yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).
In case of encounters with such advertisements/redirects, check the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Plant Planet, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Permissions asked by Plant Planet browser hijacker:
Website promoting Plant Planet browser hijacker:
Appearance of finddbest.co 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 Plant Planet?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Plant Planet 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.
Plant Planet 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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Plant Planet 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 "Plant Planet" 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 "Plant Planet", 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 "Plant Planet", 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 "Plant Planet", 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 to visit finddbest.co website?
Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) generate revenue through redirects to sites like finddbest.co.
Is visiting finddbest.co a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes. Websites like finddbest.co usually collect (and sell) visitor data.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are primarily distributed through dubious download sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.), online scams, bundled installers, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Plant Planet browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable with this software installed. Hence, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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