Removing software that generates redirects to the quest-finder.com site

What kind of website is quest-finder.com?

Quest-finder.com is the address of a fake search engine promoted by a browser hijacker called Quest-Finder. Our researchers discovered this rogue browser extension during a routine investigation of deceptive sites.

Quest-Finder operates by altering browser settings to generate redirects to the quest-finder.com webpage. Additionally, this extension spies on users' browsing activity.

Quest-Finder browser hijacker overview

Quest-Finder modifies browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new tabs/windows. Hence, users may get redirected to quest-finder.com whenever they enter a search query into the URL bar or open a new browser tab/window. This webpage is classed as a fake search engine.

These types of pages cannot provide search results and redirect to legitimate Internet search websites. At the time of research, quest-finder.com led users to the Bing search engine (bing.com). It is noteworthy that this webpage could land elsewhere, as redirects may be influenced by factors like user geolocation.

It is pertinent to mention that browser-hijacking software often employs persistence-ensuring techniques to complicate its removal and prevent users from restoring their browsers.

Furthermore, browser hijackers usually possess data-tracking abilities, and Quest-Finder is no exception. Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. The gathered information can be monetized via sale to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of browser-hijacking software like Quest-Finder on devices may result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Quest-Finder
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Quest-Finder
Promoted URL	quest-finder.com
Detection Names (quest-finder.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (quest-finder.com)	172.67.212.170
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. ▼ 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.

Browser hijacker examples

We have investigated numerous browser hijackers; Explore Spot, SerachMates, and Energy Pro Tab are just a couple of examples. These extensions/apps typically appear legitimate and offer various functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they are completely nonoperational.

Keep in mind that even if a piece of software works as indicated by its promotional material – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Quest-Finder install on my computer?

Quest-Finder has an "official" promotional webpage, and we found a deceptive page endorsing this extension. Sites of this kind are primarily accessed via redirects caused by intrusive ads, webpages using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, misspelled URLs, and adware.

Browser hijackers can also be bundled with (packed alongside) regular programs. Downloading from freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other suspicious sources – poses a threat of having bundled content infiltrate the device. This risk is compounded by treating installations with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).

Additionally, browser-hijacking software is proliferated by intrusive adverts. When clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

It is important to always research software before downloading or purchasing. All downloads must be made from official and trustworthy channels. When installing, it is essential to read terms, explore possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of supplementary apps, extensions, etc.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing since fake and malicious online content typically appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, despite their harmless appearance – intrusive ads redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with such adverts/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Quest-Finder, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of quest-finder.com redirecting to Bing search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by Quest-Finder browser hijacker:

Quest-Finder browser hijacker's "official" promotional website:

Deceptive website promoting Quest-Finder 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:
▼ 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 Quest-Finder?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Quest-Finder browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove quest-finder.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove quest-finder.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Quest-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, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Quest-Finder browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Quest-Finder 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 "Quest-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 "Quest-Finder", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.quest-finder.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 "quest-finder.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 quest-finder browser hijacker, 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 "Quest-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 "Quest-Finder", remove hxxp://quest-finder.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 quest-finder browser hijacker 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 quest-finder browser hijacker, 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 quest-finder.com website?

Redirects to sites like quest-finder.com are caused because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) profit through them.

Is visiting quest-finder.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like quest-finder.com usually collect (and sell) visitor data.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

The most prevalent distribution methods include: bundled installation setups, online scams, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free fire-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Quest-Finder browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your system and eliminate detected browser-hijacking applications. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be ideal, particularly when multiple browser hijackers are present. In some instances, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with browser-hijacking software installed. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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