Removal instructions for software generating redirects to search-quickly.com

What kind of website is search-quickly.com?

Search-quickly.com is the address of a fraudulent search engine, which we found while analyzing the Search-Quickly browser hijacker. We discovered this hijacker extension while browsing deceptive websites.

Search-Quickly modifies browser settings to promote (via redirects) the search-quickly.com website. Additionally, this extension spies on users' browsing activity.

Search-Quickly browser hijacker overview

Search-Quickly alters browser settings (e.g., homepages, default search engines, and tabs/windows, etc.). Due to these modifications, users can get redirected to search-quickly.com when they type a search query into the URL bar or open a new browser tab/window.

Fake search engines usually cannot generate search results, so they lead users to legitimate Internet search sites. Search-quickly.com is no exception; it lands on the Bing search engine (bing.com). It is pertinent to mention that this webpage could lead elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation might influence redirects.

Additionally, browser-hijacking software can rely on persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as denying access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to prevent browser recovery.

Furthermore, most extensions within this classification have data-tracking abilities, and this is true of Search-Quickly. Targeted information may include: URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. This sensitive information can be monetized via sale to third-parties.

To summarize, software like Search-Quickly may cause system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Search-Quickly
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Search-Quickly
Promoted URL	search-quickly.com
Detection Names (search-quickly.com)	N/A (VirusTotal)
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

ONFIND, GuardGo, color-picker-tab, and Random Year Fact are just a few of our newest articles on browser hijackers. This software typically appears ordinary and offers useful functionalities. However, the functions tend to be fake and nonoperational, as their sole purpose is to lure users into downloading/installing the browser hijacker.

It must be stressed that even if a piece of software works exactly as indicated by its promotional material – that is not a guarantee of legitimacy or safety.

How did Search-Quickly install on my computer?

We found several "official" promotional pages for Search-Quickly. It is noteworthy that scam websites (that use scare tactics or other false claims) are also used to distribute browser hijackers.

These webpages are commonly accessed via redirects generated by intrusive ads, sites using rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, and installed adware.

"Bundling" – packing regular program installation setups with unwanted/malicious supplements – is used to proliferate browser-hijacking software as well.

The risk of allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by treating installations with negligence (e.g., using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).

Additionally, browser hijackers are spread by intrusive advertisements. Some of these adverts can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform sneaky downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We recommend researching software before downloading/purchasing. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and trustworthy sources. When installing, we advise reading terms, exploring possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of additional apps, extensions, etc.

Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing, as fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive adverts may look harmless – however, they redirect users to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, gambling, adult dating, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with advertisements and/or redirects of this kind, check the device and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Search-Quickly, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of search-quickly.com redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

Permissions asked by Search-Quickly browser hijacker:

"Official" Search-Quickly browser hijacker's promotional websites:

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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 Search-Quickly?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Search-Quickly browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove search-quickly.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove search-quickly.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Search-Quickly 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.

Search-Quickly browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Search-Quickly 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 "Search-Quickly" 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 "Search-Quickly", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search-quickly.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 "search-quickly.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 search-quickly 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 "Search-Quickly", 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 "Search-Quickly", remove hxxp://search-quickly.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 search-quickly 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 search-quickly 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 search-quickly.com website?

The purpose of developing software that causes redirects is profit. In other words, the developers/publishers generate revenue through redirects to webpages like search-quickly.com.

Is visiting search-quickly.com a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Sites like search-quickly.com usually collect information about their visitors. This data may then be sold to third-parties.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Widespread distribution techniques include: deceptive promotional webpages, bundled installers, freeware and free file-hosting websites, online scams, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, intrusive ads, and spam browser notifications.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Search-Quickly browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove detected browser-hijacking apps. Keep in mind that manual removal (unaided by security software) might not be ideal, particularly when multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. Furthermore, this software may be capable of denying access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes. Hence, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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