Removing software that causes redirects to foodisgood.xyz
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of website is foodisgood.xyz?
Foodisgood.xyz is a fake search engine that we found while inspecting the FoodIsGood Default Search browser hijacker. This extension makes changes to browser settings in order to promote (via redirects) the foodisgood.xyz webpage.
FoodIsGood Default Search browser hijacker overview
Browser-hijacking software modifies browser settings (e.g., homepages, default search engines, new browser tabs/windows, etc.). Due to these modifications, users are forced to visit the endorsed website when they enter a search query into the URL bar or open a new browser tab/window. In the case of FoodIsGood Default Search, the redirects land on the foodisgood.xyz site.
In most cases, fake search engines cannot provide search results and lead users to genuine Internet search websites. At the time of research, foodisgood.xyz redirected to the Bing search engine (bing.com). Note that this site could land elsewhere, as factors like user geolocation may influence redirects.
Browser hijackers often utilize persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as restricting access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to prevent browser recovery.
Furthermore, software within this category usually possesses data-tracking functionalities, and this might apply to FoodIsGood Default Search. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, browser cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so forth. This sensitive information can then be shared with or sold to third-parties.
In summary, the presence of browser-hijacking software like FoodIsGood Default Search on devices may lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
Name | FoodIsGood Default Search |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Browser Extension(s) | FoodIsGood Default Search |
Promoted URL | foodisgood.xyz |
Detection Names (foodisgood.xyz) | Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), URLQuery (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address (foodisgood.xyz) | 104.21.90.137 |
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
We have investigated numerous browser hijackers; Web Bear Search, FIIND, SeekFast, FindClix, and Search-Quickly are merely some of our latest articles.
Software within this classification usually appears legitimate and offers useful functionalities. However, these functions rarely work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. It must be stressed that operational features alone do not prove the legitimacy or safety of an application/extension.
How did FoodIsGood Default Search install on my computer?
Browser hijackers are proliferated using the bundling technique, which involves packing ordinary program installers with unwanted/malicious additions. These setups can be downloaded from freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other suspicious sources.
The risk of allowing bundled content into the system is increased by treating installation processes with negligence (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping steps, using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.).
Some intrusive advertisements can be triggered (by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform stealthy downloads/installations. These adverts are also used to spread browser-hijacking software.
Additionally, browser hijackers are promoted on legitimate-looking download pages and scam sites. Most visitors access them via redirects caused by websites that use rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, misspelled URLs, intrusive ads, or installed adware.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We highly recommend researching software prior to downloading/purchasing. Furthermore, all downloads must be made from official and trustworthy channels. When installing, we advise reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of supplementary apps, extensions, tools, etc.
Another recommendation is to be vigilant when browsing, as fraudulent and malicious online content typically appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, despite their harmless appearance – intrusive advertisements redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, adult dating, gambling, etc.).
Should you keep encountering ads/redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with FoodIsGood Default Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of foodisgood.xyz redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):
Permissions asked by FoodIsGood Default Search 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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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 FoodIsGood Default Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove FoodIsGood Default Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove foodisgood.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove foodisgood.xyz redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
FoodIsGood Default 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.
FoodIsGood Default Search browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove FoodIsGood 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 "FoodIsGood Default 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 "FoodIsGood Default Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.foodisgood.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 "foodisgood.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 foodisgood default search 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 "FoodIsGood Default 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 "FoodIsGood Default Search", remove hxxp://foodisgood.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 foodisgood default search 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 foodisgood default search 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 foodisgood.xyz website?
The reason is because cyber criminals (e.g., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines, etc.) generate revenue through redirects to websites like foodisgood.xyz.
Is visiting foodisgood.xyz a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines (e.g., foodisgood.xyz, etc.) are considered a minor privacy threat, as they typically collect and sell information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
The most widespread distribution methods include: bundled installation setups, online scams, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove FoodIsGood Default Search browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and remove detected browser-hijacking applications. Manual removal (performed without the aid of security programs) might not be ideal, especially when multiple browser hijackers are present. In these cases, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software may be capable of denying access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
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