How to remove Quick Workspace from your web browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is Quick Workspace?
After a thorough assessment of the Quick Workspace, our team discovered that its purpose primarily revolves around acting as a browser hijacker, with the intention of promoting the fake search engine find.searchu.co. The extension modifies a web browser's settings to exert control over its behavior.
Quick Workspace browser hijacker overview
Quick Workspace compels users to visit find.searchu.co by setting it as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. When users perform searches, find.searchu.co redirects them to bing.com, a well-known and legitimate search engine. Find.searchu.co does not provide individual results.
The use of a fake search engine like find.searchu.co redirecting users to bing.com may serve a dual purpose. Firstly, it creates a façade of legitimacy, as users are redirected to a well-known and trusted search engine. Secondly, this redirection allows the operators to collect user data, such as search queries and browsing habits, under the guise of a legitimate search engine, potentially for targeted advertising or malicious purposes.
It is worth mentioning that fake search engines often fail to provide accurate or pertinent search results. This can mislead users, potentially leading to misinformation or time wastage. To sum up, the redirection to and utilization of a fake search engine give rise to multiple concerns concerning user trust, privacy, security, and overall browsing experience.
It is crucial to note that browser hijackers like Quick Workspace can also collect diverse user data. The gathered information might be sold to third-party entities without users' awareness or agreement. These entities could subsequently utilize the data for various purposes.
Name | Quick Workspace |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Browser Extension(s) | Quick Workspace |
Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
Promoted URL | find.searchu.co |
Detection Names (find.searchu.co) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address (find.searchu.co) | 3.162.163.69 |
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. |
Conclusion
To sum up, browser hijackers pose threats to users' online security and privacy. It is common for them to be disguised as useful tools to manipulate users into installing or adding them. Once added, they take control of browser settings and monitor user activities, potentially resulting in data breaches and various security risks.
More examples of apps that can hijack web browsers are World Clock Extension, MyThing Search New Tab, and Beach Wallpaper.
How did Quick Workspace install on my computer?
Browser hijacking typically occurs when users download software or freeware from the internet. These browser hijackers are often bundled with such software. During installation, users may unintentionally overlook the included hijacker because it is usually pre-selected for installation.
Also, websites may sometimes entice users to download and install/add browser extensions or add-ons by promising enhanced browsing experiences or useful features. Unfortunately, some of these seemingly helpful extensions can later morph into hijackers.
Furthermore, clicking on deceptive updates, pop-ups, advertisements, and similar elements can also result in the accidental installation or addition of a browser hijacker.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Before downloading or installing any software, conduct thorough research. Download programs from official and verified sources (e.g., official pages or stores). During installation, carefully read the terms, explore available options, use the "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings, and deselect any supplementary components.
Exercise caution while browsing the web, as fraudulent and malicious online content (e.g., advertisements, pop-ups, links) often appears authentic and harmless. Do not allow questionable pages to deliver notifications. If your computer is already infected with Quick Workspace, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Find.searchu.co redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Quick Workspace 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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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 Quick Workspace?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Quick Workspace application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Quick Workspace browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove find.searchu.co homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove find.searchu.co redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Quick Workspace 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 find.searchu.co website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Quick Workspace browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Quick Workspace browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Quick Workspace" 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 "Quick Workspace", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.find.searchu.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 "find.searchu.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 find.searchu.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 "Quick Workspace", 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 "Quick Workspace", remove hxxp://find.searchu.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 find.searchu.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 find.searchu.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 find.searchu.co website?
The purpose of forcing users to visit the find.searchu.co website is likely to drive traffic to this specific website. This can serve various objectives, such as increasing the website's visibility and potentially generating revenue through advertisements or other means.
Is visiting find.searchu.co a threat to my privacy?
Visiting websites like find.searchu.co could potentially pose a threat to your privacy. These types of websites, often associated with browser hijackers or other unwanted programs, might collect user data and track browsing behavior.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
If you have downloaded software from untrustworthy sources or engaged with deceptive ads, pop-ups, or links, a browser hijacker might have affected your computer. Additionally, browser hijackers are sometimes included in other software installations, often without the user's knowledge.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Quick Workspace browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner will scan your computer to detect and remove any browser-hijacking applications that are identified. It is important to know that relying solely on manual removal may not always provide the most effective results. In some cases, multiple browser hijackers can coexist and continuously reinstall each other. As a result, removing all of these apps at once becomes necessary for a comprehensive solution.
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