Removal instructions for the Find It Quick Search browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of software is Find It Quick Search?
Find It Quick Search is a rogue browser extension. After examining it, we determined that it is browser-hijacking software. This extension modifies browser settings to endorse (through redirects) the finditquicksearch.com fake search engine.
Find It Quick Search browser hijacker overview
Browser hijackers assign promoted sites as browsers' default search engines, new tab/window URLs, and homepages. Find It Quick Search endorses finditquicksearch.com in this manner.
Therefore, with this extension installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries entered into the URL bar – result in redirects to the finditquicksearch.com page.
While fake search engines cannot provide search results and redirect to legitimate Internet search websites (e.g., Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.), finditquicksearch.com is an exception. Surprisingly, this site can generate relevant search results. However, they include various advertisements that may push deceptive/dangerous content.
It is noteworthy that browser-hijacking software commonly relies on persistence-ensuring mechanisms to prevent browser recovery.
Furthermore, hijackers typically have data-tracking functionalities, and this might be true of Find It Quick Search. Targeted data can include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, etc. This sensitive data can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of software like Find It Quick Search on devices may lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
Name | Find It Quick Search |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Browser Extension(s) | Find It Quick Search |
Promoted URL | finditquicksearch.com |
Detection Names (finditquicksearch.com) | Criminal IP (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address (finditquicksearch.com) | 35.162.118.238 |
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
Extended Search - Default Search, Cat Tab HD, and Happy Dolphin Club are but a few examples of browser hijackers we have analyzed recently.
Software within this category rarely appears illegitimate or otherwise suspicious; it tends to look ordinary and harmless. Browser hijackers can also offer a broad range of handy functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.
Keep in mind that even if a piece of software operates exactly as indicated by its promotional material – that is not irrefutable proof of either legitimacy or safety.
How did Find It Quick Search install on my computer?
Browser hijackers are distributed using the bundling marketing technique, which entails packing regular program installation setups with unwanted/malicious additions.
The threat of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.) and by treating installations with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping sections, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).
Additionally, browser-hijacking software can have "official" promotional pages, and it is endorsed on scam sites. Users primarily access these webpages via redirects generated by intrusive ads, websites employing rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.
Some intrusive advertisements are capable of executing scripts to perform stealthy downloads/installations upon being clicked. These adverts are also used to proliferate browser hijackers.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly recommend researching software before downloading or purchasing it. Another recommendation is to download only from official and trustworthy sources. When installing, it is important to read terms, explore possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all supplementary apps, extensions, tools, etc.
We advise being careful while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive ads may look harmless – however, they redirect to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, gambling, adult dating, etc.).
In case of continuous encounters with such advertisements/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Find It Quick Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of a finditquicksearch.com redirect (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 Find It Quick Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Find It Quick Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove finditquicksearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove finditquicksearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Find It Quick Search 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.
Find It Quick Search 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 "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Find It Quick Search" 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 "Find It Quick Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.finditquicksearch.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 "finditquicksearch.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 finditquicksearch.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 "Find It Quick Search", 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 "Find It Quick Search", remove hxxp://finditquicksearch.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 finditquicksearch.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 finditquicksearch.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 to visit finditquicksearch.com website?
Redirects to such websites are generated because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) profit through them.
Is visiting finditquicksearch.com a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes. Websites classified as fake search engines (e.g., finditquicksearch.com, etc.) typically collect and sell information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser-hijacking software is mainly distributed via bundled installers, deceptive promotional pages, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Find It Quick Search browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate all browser-hijacking apps detected. Note that manual removal (performed without security tools) might not be ideal, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software might deny access to removal-related settings and/or undo user-made changes. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
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