How to remove SURFSEE browser hijacker

What kind of extension is SURFSEE?

While analyzing SURFSEE, we found that it changes the settings of a web browser to promote a fake search engine. Extensions of this type are known as browser hijackers. Quite often, users unknowingly add such extensions to browsers due to deceptive methods used for their promotion and distribution.

SURFSEE browser hijacker overview

SURFSEE hijacks a web browser by making findflarex.com the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. However, upon entering a search query, findflarex.com redirects users to boyu.com.tr, making it a fake search engine. It is important to note that boyu.com.tr is a shady search engine.

Relying on results from boyu.com.tr could direct users to websites that attempt to deceive them into accepting unwanted notifications, promote fake or questionable products and services, host adult content, or lead to other potentially harmful websites. Also, users may land on various scam websites and pages hosting potentially malicious software.

Moreover, SURFSEE can enable the "Managed by your organization" feature in Chrome browsers. Typically, this functionality is employed by companies, organizations, or other entities to enforce specific policies. However, when activated by extensions such as SURFSEE, it can be exploited to unauthorizedly add/remove extensions, apps, and themes, restrict access to designated websites, and serve other malicious intents.

Thus, it is strongly recommended to remove SURFSEE and findflarex.com from hijacked browsers and avoid adding such apps in the future. Besides browser hijacking, extensions like SURFSEE can be designed to gather browsing history, IP addresses, search queries, geolocation data, and (or) other information that can be misused (e.g., sold to third parties) for monetary gain or other purposes.

Threat Summary:

Name	SURFSEE
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	SURFSEE, ISEEK, SEARCHBOX, Searchisty, ONFIND, FIIND, SeekFast, FindClix, WonderFind
Supposed Functionality	Improved browsing experience
Promoted URL	findflarex.com
Detection Names (findflarex.com)	Bfore.Ai PreCrime (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (findflarex.com)	104.21.35.227
Detection Names (Installer)	Arcabit (Trojan.Generic.D22D09B7), Combo Cleaner (Trojan.Generic.36506039), Emsisoft (Trojan.Generic.36506039 (B)), MAX (Malware (ai Score=86)), Microsoft (BrowserModifier:Win32/Shafmia), Full List Of Detections (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), 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.

Conclusion

Browser hijackers are unwanted extensions designed to force users to visit certain websites (often fake search engines). Users rarely add such extensions to browsers on purpose (knowing that these extensions will change the settings of their browsers). Overall, it is advisable to take certain precautions to avoid browser hijackers and remove them if already present.

More examples of browser hijackers promoting findflarex.com are ISEEK, SEARCHBOX, Searchisty, ONFIND, FIIND, SeekFast, FindClix, and WonderFind.

How did SURFSEE install on my computer?

Browser hijackers are commonly distributed together with other unreliable and (or) free programs. They are included in installers as optional offers (typically mentioned in "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings). Users agree to add/install browser hijackers when they do not reject unwanted offers.

Also, browser hijackers can infiltrate browsers or operating systems via untrustworthy advertisements, third-party app stores or downloaders, unofficial and deceptive websites, notifications from shady sites, P2P networks, and similar channels.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Download extensions, applications, and other software from trustworthy sources, such as official websites and app stores. Always check installers for unwanted offers and deselect them using the available settings or checkboxes. Do not trust ads, pop-ups, warnings, and similar content on suspicious websites.

Avoid permitting dubious pages to send notifications. Scan your computer for unwanted apps using a reputable security tool regularly, and keep all software (and the operating system) up to date. If your computer is already infected with SURFSEE, 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 SURFSEE browser hijacker:

SURFSEE'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 SURFSEE?
• STEP 1. Uninstall SURFSEE application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove SURFSEE 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.

SURFSEE 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.

SURFSEE browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove SURFSEE 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 "SURFSEE" 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 "SURFSEE", 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 surfsee 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 "SURFSEE", 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 "SURFSEE", 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 surfsee 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 surfsee 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?

Users are directed to findflarex.com to increase its traffic, potentially boosting revenue generated for its creators.

Is visiting findflarex.com a threat to my privacy?

Using fake search engines like findflarex.com can lead to the unauthorized collection of browsing habits, search queries, IP addresses, and other user information, compromising both privacy and security. Also, it can lead to various scams and other harmful content.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are often bundled with unreliable or free software that users willingly install. They can also infiltrate browsers through untrustworthy ads, third-party app stores, deceptive websites, shady notifications, P2P networks, and similar channels.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove ISEEK browser hijacker?

Combo Cleaner scans computers and removes browser-hijacking apps and extensions. Manual removal may not fully resolve the issue, especially if multiple hijackers are present and can reinstall each other. In these cases, browser hijackers must be removed simultaneously to ensure complete elimination.

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