How to remove Searchfz browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is Searchfz?
Upon inspecting the Searchfz application, we uncovered its true nature as a browser hijacker, meticulously crafted to alter the settings of web browsers to promote a particular address, namely searchfz.com. Users should exercise caution and promptly address any signs of browser hijacking to safeguard their online browsing activities and protect against potential threats.
Searchfz browser hijacker overview
Once added to a web browser, Searchfz manipulates browser configurations to redirect users towards searchfz.com. This entails setting searchfz.com as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page, ensuring that users are consistently routed to this specific website whenever they open their browser or a new tab.
Upon entering a search query, searchfz.com redirects to bing.com (it shows results generated by a legitimate search engine owned by Microsoft). Since searchfz.com does not provide any search results, it is a fake search engine. It is advisable not to trust such search engines due to the risks they can pose.
Fake search engines are known to prioritize displaying misleading or irrelevant search results, which can lead users to malicious or low-quality websites. By manipulating search results, these fake engines may expose users to phishing scams, malware downloads, or deceptive advertisements, posing significant risks to their online safety and security.
Additionally, fake search engines may collect and misuse user data, such as search queries and browsing habits, further compromising user privacy and exposing them to targeted advertising or other privacy violations. Therefore, users should exercise caution and avoid trusting fake search engines to ensure a safe and secure online browsing experience.
| Name | Searchfz |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Searchfz |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | searchfz.com |
| Detection Names (App Installer) | Avast (Win64:Malware-gen), Combo Cleaner (Trojan.GenericKD.71483433), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win64/GenKryptik.GPXJ), Kaspersky (Trojan-Downloader.Win32.PrivateLoader.iv), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/Phonzy.A!ml), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (searchfz.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (searchfz.com) | 34.102.136.180 |
| 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
In conclusion, the proliferation of browser hijackers like Searchfz underscores the importance of vigilance and caution when downloading and installing software (or adding apps). These intrusive applications can compromise users' browsing experiences, privacy, and security by manipulating browser settings and redirecting traffic to specific websites.
It is essential for users to remain aware of the risks posed by browser hijackers and take proactive measures to safeguard their devices and personal information from such intrusive software.
More examples of apps designed to hijack browsers are Mycool Search, Your Search Bar, and Extreme New Tab.
How did Searchfz install on my computer?
The creators of browser hijackers often employ deceitful strategies to deceive users into unintentionally installing them on their devices or integrating them into their browsers. One common tactic involves camouflaging hijackers as legitimate browser extensions, frequently packaged with free or pirated software.
During the installation of software, users may inadvertently authorize the installation or addition of a browser hijacker if they do not modify the "Advanced" or "Custom" settings or leave checkboxes ticked.
Furthermore, browser hijackers can be disseminated through deceptive advertisements, counterfeit software updates, unofficial app stores, peer-to-peer networks, and similar channels.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
It is important to exercise vigilance when downloading and installing programs, particularly from questionable sources (e.g., dubious pages or app. stores). Downloads should come from trusted websites and official app stores. Settings provided in installers should also be checked during installations to prevent inadvertent installations of additionally included apps.
Furthermore, it is advisable to ensure that browsers and security software are kept up to date, utilize reputable antivirus programs, and exercise caution when interacting with links, pop-ups, and ads on questionable sources. Additionally, it is recommended to routinely assess browser extensions and eliminate any unfamiliar or unnecessary ones.
If your computer is already infected with Searchfz, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Searchfz.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Searchfz 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 Searchfz?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Searchfz application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Searchfz browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove searchfz.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove searchfz.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Searchfz 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 searchfz.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Searchfz browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Searchfz 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 "Searchfz" 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 "Searchfz", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.searchfz.com) 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 "searchfz.com", 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 searchfz.com 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 "Searchfz", 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 "Searchfz", remove hxxp://searchfz.com 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 searchfz.com 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 searchfz.com 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 searchfz.com website?
The purpose of forcing users to visit the searchfz.com website is to increase traffic to this specific site, which enables its creators to generate more revenue.
Is visiting searchfz.com a threat to my privacy?
Yes, visiting searchfz.com can pose a threat to your privacy as it may track your browsing habits and collect personal information without your consent. Also, fake search engines can lead to dubious websites.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers infiltrate browsers through various avenues, including downloads from peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, unofficial websites, and other unreliable sources. Additionally, clicking malicious advertisements, completing software installations without deselecting unwanted apps, and visiting compromised websites can result in browser hijacking.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Searchfz browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner provides a full system scan to eliminate unwanted applications. Relying solely on manual removal may not guarantee complete eradication, as residual files could remain. In contrast, Combo Cleaner ensures a comprehensive cleanup, eliminating all traces of unwanted apps from the system for a more reliable solution.
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