Removal instructions for the SEARCHBOX browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of software is SEARCHBOX?
SEARCHBOX is a rogue browser extension that modifies browsers to promote the findflarex.com fake search engine. Due to this behavior, this extension is classified as a browser hijacker.
SEARCHBOX browser hijacker overview
Browser-hijacking software typically assigns the addresses of promoted websites as browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new tab/window URLs. Therefore, with a browser hijacker installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed into the URL bar – result in redirects to the endorsed webpage.
SEARCHBOX operates in this manner as well. The redirects caused by this extension land on findflarex.com (note that other browser hijackers also push this page). Likewise SEARCHBOX could promote a different website.
Usually, fake search engines cannot provide search results and redirect to legitimate Internet search websites (e.g., Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.). However, at the time of research, findflarex.com redirected to boyu.com.tr – another fraudulent search engine.
Unlike most, boyu.com.tr can provide search results, although they are inaccurate and may include sponsored, untrustworthy, deceptive, and possibly malicious content. Keep in mind that findflarex.com might redirect elsewhere, as factors like the user's geolocation might impact it.
It is pertinent to mention that software within this classification often utilizes persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as restricting access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes – to prevent browser recovery.
Furthermore, browser hijackers typically possess data-tracking functionalities, and this might be true of SEARCHBOX. Targeted data may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related information, etc. This vulnerable data can be monetized via sale to third-parties.
In summary, the presence of software like SEARCHBOX on devices may result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | SEARCHBOX |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Detection Names (installer) | Combo Cleaner (Trojan.Generic.36506039), Emsisoft (Trojan.Generic.36506039 (B)), GData (Trojan.Generic.36506039), Microsoft (BrowserModifier:Win32/Shafmia), VIPRE (Trojan.Generic.36506039), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Browser Extension(s) | SEARCHBOX |
| Promoted URL | findflarex.com |
| 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). |
| 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 examined thousands of browser hijackers; ONFIND, FIIND, SeekFast, FindClix, and WonderFind are some examples of ones promoting the findflarex.com illegitimate search engine.
Browser-hijacking software usually appears legitimate and innocuous. Users may be lured into downloading/installing by promises of "useful" functionalities. However, these features rarely work as advertised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.
It must be stressed that even if a browser extension or an application operates exactly as indicated by its promotional material – that alone does not prove legitimacy or safety.
How did SEARCHBOX install on my computer?
Browser hijackers can have "official" promotional webpages, and they are endorsed on scam sites. Most visitors access these pages via redirects generated by websites employing rogue advertising networks, intrusive adverts, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, and installed adware.
Some intrusive ads can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform sneaky downloads/installations. These advertisements are also used to proliferate browser-hijacking software.
Additionally, browser hijackers are distributed using the bundling marketing technique, which involves packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious supplements.
Downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushing through installation processes (e.g., skipping steps, using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.) – increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the device.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
It is important to always research software prior to downloading or purchasing. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and verified sources. When installing, we recommend reading terms, investigating available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, and so forth.
Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing, as fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears harmless. For example, while intrusive adverts may look ordinary/innocuous – they redirect users to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, adult dating, etc.).
In case of continuous encounters with advertisements/redirects of this kind, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with SEARCHBOX, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of findflarex.com redirecting to the boyu.com.tr fake search engine (GIF):
Permissions asked by SEARCHBOX browser hijacker:
SEARCHBOX browser extension details:
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 SEARCHBOX?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove SEARCHBOX 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.
SEARCHBOX 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.
SEARCHBOX browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove SEARCHBOX 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 "SEARCHBOX" 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 "SEARCHBOX", 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 searchbox 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 "SEARCHBOX", 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 "SEARCHBOX", 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 searchbox 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 searchbox 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 to visit findflarex.com website?
The reason behind the development of software that generates rogue redirects is profit. In other words, the developers generate revenue through redirects to websites like findflarex.com.
Is visiting findflarex.com a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines (e.g., findflarex.com, boyu.com.tr, etc.) typically collect and sell information about their visitors. Hence, visiting them is considered a privacy threat.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser-hijacking software is primarily distributed via bundled installers, deceptive promotional webpages, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive ads.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove SEARCHBOX browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate all browser-hijacking applications that are present. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without the aid of security tools) might be ineffective. In cases where multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software may render removal-related settings inaccessible. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
Outstanding!
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