How to remove Searchisty browser hijacker

What kind of extension is Searchisty?

Our examination of the Searchisty browser extension has shown that it is designed to hijack browsers by changing their settings. Such extensions are called browser hijackers. Additionally, we found that Searchisty can enable the "Managed by your organization" feature. Users should avoid Searchisty adding to browsers to prevent exposure to various risks.

Searchisty browser hijacker overview

Searchisty hijacks a web browser by changing the default search engine, homepage, and new tab to findflarex.com, a fake search engine. Upon entering a search query using a browser hijacked by Searchisty, findflarex.com redirects users to boyu.com.tr, a dubious search engine. Trusting this search engine may lead to shady web pages.

Users may end up visiting phishing sites and web pages that host technical support scams, fake giveaways, lotteries, potentially malicious software, etc. Also, results generated by boyu.com.tr may include misleading advertisements. Thus, it is strongly recommended to avoid opening links provided by search engines like boyu.com.tr.

In addition to promoting findflarex.com, Searchisty can enable the "Managed by your organization" feature in Chrome browsers. This feature, if controlled by browser hijackers like Searchisty, can be misused to prevent access to various pages, manage extensions and themes (e.g., add or remove them), inject unwanted ads, and more.

Moreover, Searchisty may be capable of accessing and gathering browsing-related data like browsing history, search queries, and even more personal information. It is also worth noting that Searchisty may be designed to prevent users from removing it. Thus, users may need to utilize specialized tools to eliminate Searchisty.

Overall, Searchisty is an unreliable browser extension promoting a fake search engine that leads to a dubious search engine. Users should remove Searchisty or similar extensions if they have already been added.

Threat Summary:

Name	Searchisty
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Searchisty
Supposed Functionality	Enhanced browsing experience
Promoted URL	findflarex.com
Detection Names (Installer)	ALYac (Trojan.Generic.36506039), Combo Cleaner (Trojan.Generic.36506039), Emsisoft (Trojan.Generic.36506039 (B)), MAX (Malware (ai Score=86)), Microsoft (BrowserModifier:Win32/Shafmia), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Detection Names (Findflarex.com)	Bfore.Ai PreCrime (Suspicious), Gridinsoft (Spam), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (findflarex.com)	104.21.35.227
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.

Other browser hijackers promoting the same address

Searchisty is not the only extension promoting findflarex.com. Other extensions associated with findflarex.com are ONFIND, FIIND, SeekFast, FindClix, and WonderFind. It is likely that there are more dubious extensions designed to hijack browsers to promote findflarex.com. If any of these extensions are added to browsers, they should be removed as soon as possible.

How did Searchisty install on my computer?

Typically, users end up having their browsers hijacked upon finishing installations of free or dubious programs. In such cases, browser hijackers are included as optional offers and hijack web browsers when users do not deselect them using "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings.

Additionally, browser hijackers can infiltrate browsers via misleading advertisements, fake software updates, unreliable web pages, P2P networks, unofficial app stores, notifications from shady sites, and similar channels. Overall, users often add browser hijackers unintentionally.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Download software from trustworthy sources, such as official websites and app stores. Avoid using other sources (e.g., P2P networks, unofficial sites or app stores, third-party downloaders, etc.). During installations, look for unwanted apps/offers and deselect them. Do not permit questionable websites to send notifications.

Avoid interacting with pop-ups, links, buttons, and ads on suspicious sites. Keep the operating system and installed software (including security tools) up to date. Scan your computer for threats regularly. If your computer is already infected with Searchisty, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Findflarex.com redirects to boyu.com.tr (GIF):

Permissions asked by Searchisty browser hijacker:

Searchisty's description:

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

Searchisty 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 findflarex.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Searchisty browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove Searchisty 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 "Searchisty" 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 "Searchisty", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.findflarex.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 "findflarex.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 searchisty 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 "Searchisty", 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 "Searchisty", remove hxxp://findflarex.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 searchisty 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 searchisty 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 findflarex.com website?

The purpose of forcing users to visit the findflarex.com website, which is a fake search engine, is to generate traffic to the site. Higher traffic can be used to generate more revenue.

Is visiting findflarex.com a threat to my privacy?

Fake search engines like findflarex.com may collect browsing habits, search queries, IP addresses, and other information without user consent. Thus, visiting and using them may compromise privacy.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Users often unwittingly have their web browsers hijacked when installing free or questionable programs, as browser hijackers are included as optional offers during installation. Browser hijackers can also infiltrate browsers through misleading ads, fake software updates, unreliable websites, P2P networks, unofficial app stores, and notifications from untrustworthy sources.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Searchisty browser hijacker?

Combo Cleaner effectively scans and removes browser-hijacking applications from your computer. Manual removal may not fully resolve the issue, especially if multiple browser hijackers are present and can reinstall each other. In some cases, certain settings cannot be changed until all browser hijackers are removed simultaneously.

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