How to eliminate Words Finder browser hijacker from browsers

What kind of application is Words Finder?

During our examination of the Words Finder browser extension, we discovered that it compels users to visit wordsfinder.xyz by altering the settings of their web browser. This action constitutes browser hijacking. It is advisable for users to remove applications like Words Finder from hijacked browsers.

Words Finder browser hijacker overview

Words Finder forces users to visit wordsfinder.xyz by making it the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. When users input search queries, they are redirected to bing.com through wordsfinder.xyz. Since wordsfinder.xyz does not yield any search results, it is classified as a fake search engine.

Bing.com is a legitimate search engine owned by Microsoft. Thus, the search results provided by Bing are reliable. However, search engines like wordsfinder.xyz should not be trusted. Instead of delivering accurate information, they may display irrelevant or misleading content, leading users astray and potentially exposing them to harmful websites or deceptive information.

Also, fake search engines pose significant privacy risks. They may track users' search queries, browsing history, and other information, which could then be sold or misused for targeted advertising or other nefarious purposes. Moreover, fake search engines may redirect users to malicious websites or facilitate phishing attacks.

Users can inadvertently subject themselves to various cyber threats by trusting these unreliable search engines. Therefore, it is crucial to refrain from using them and instead choose reputable search engines with proven track records for privacy and security.

Threat Summary:

Name	Words Finder
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Words Finder
Supposed Functionality	Online dictionary
Promoted URL	wordsfinder.xyz
Detection Names (wordsfinder.xyz)	Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (wordsfinder.xyz)	172.67.178.108
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner 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.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Words Finder app represents a concerning example of software that employs deceptive tactics, such as browser hijacking and redirecting users to fake search engines. Its actions compromise user experience and raise privacy and security concerns. As such, users should exercise caution and avoid adding apps like Words Finder to browsers.

Examples of other apps known for browser hijacking are Wallpapers - New Tab, Fast Cars, and Flixtab.

How did Words Finder install on my computer?

Users often find their browsers hijacked through negligent actions such as downloading and installing software bundles from untrustworthy sources. Some applications, including seemingly legitimate ones, may include bundled browser hijackers that modify browser settings upon being added.

Typically, installers containing browser hijackers or other dubious apps have certain settings or checkboxes. Users who fail to change those settings or untick checkboxes agree to install/add offered apps.

Additionally, clicking on misleading advertisements or pop-ups while browsing the internet can lead to browser hijacking. These ads may promise enticing offers or claim that the user's system is infected with malware, prompting them to click and unwittingly initiate the hijacking process.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

To avoid falling victim to browser hijacking, users should exercise caution when downloading and installing programs, particularly from unfamiliar or untrustworthy sources. Review installation options and carefully review each step of the installation process to deselect any bundled software or browser extensions that could potentially hijack the browser.

Additionally, users should be wary of clicking on suspicious advertisements, pop-ups, or links while browsing the internet, especially when visiting shady pages. It is also recommended to download apps from official pages or app stores instead of P2P networks, third-party stores, shady sites, etc.

If your computer is already infected with Words Finder, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Wordsfinder.xyz redirects to bing.com (GIF):

Permissions asked by Words Finder browser hijacker:

Website promoting Words Finder browser hijacker:

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▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner 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 Words Finder?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Words Finder application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Words Finder browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove wordsfinder.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove wordsfinder.xyz redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Words Finder 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 wordsfinder.xyz website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Words Finder 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 "Words Finder" 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 "Words Finder", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.wordsfinder.xyz) 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 "wordsfinder.xyz", 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 wordsfinder.xyz 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 "Words Finder", 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 "Words Finder", remove hxxp://wordsfinder.xyz 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 wordsfinder.xyz 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 wordsfinder.xyz 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 wordsfinder.xyz website?

The purpose of forcing users to visit the wordsfinder.xyz website is to generate traffic and potentially revenue for the website owner.

Is visiting wordsfinder.xyz a threat to my privacy?

Since wordsfinder.xyz is categorized as a fake search engine and does not provide legitimate search results, there is a risk that it may collect your browsing habits, search queries, and other sensitive information without your consent.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijacking often stems from diverse origins, such as software acquired from unreliable sources, malicious links or advertisements, downloads sourced from peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, third-party app stores, compromised websites, or notifications from dubious web pages.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Words Finder browser hijacker?

Combo Cleaner scans computers and removes any existing browser-hijacking applications. Manual removal may not always work well with multiple browser hijackers present that can reinstall each other. In such cases, all of them need to be removed simultaneously.

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