Removing hsearchs browser hijacker and the redirects it generates

What kind of software is hsearchs?

hsearchs is a browser extension that our research team discovered while analyzing a rogue installation setup. This piece of software changes browser settings to generate redirects.

Due to this behavior, hsearchs is classed as a browser hijacker. Extensions within this classification are considered a privacy threat, as they often possess data-tracking capabilities.

hsearchs browser hijacker overview

Usually, browser-hijacking software modifies browser settings (e.g., homepage, default search engine, new tab/window, etc.) to promote websites. Due to these modifications, users may be forced to visit the endorsed webpage whenever they enter a search query into the URL bar or open a new browser tab/window.

hsearchs operates in this manner. At the time of research, it generated redirects beginning with findflarex.com and landing on boyu.com.tr. Note that this extension might produce different redirection chains. Both findflarex.com and boyu.com.tr are fake search engines.

Most browser hijackers promote illegitimate sites of this kind. Fraudulent search engines typically cannot provide search results and lead users to genuine Internet search websites (e.g., Yahoo, Google, Bing, etc.). However, boyu.com.tr can generate search results, although they are inaccurate and may include sponsored, untrustworthy, deceptive, and possibly malicious content.

Persistence-ensuring mechanisms are common for browser-hijacking software. hsearchs utilizes the "Managed by your organization" Google Chrome feature for this purpose – to complicate the removal of rogue software.

As mentioned in the introduction, most browser hijackers spy on users' browsing activity, and hsearchs might have such data-tracking abilities as well.

Information of interest may include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, browser cookies, log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. The collected information can be shared with or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, browser-hijacking software like hsearchs can cause system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	hsearchs
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Detection Names (installer)	ESET-NOD32 (Win32/GenCBL.FFN), Kingsoft (Win32.Troj.GenCBL.FFN), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Browser Extension(s)	hsearchs
Promoted URLs	findflarex.com, boyu.com.tr
Detection Names (findflarex.com)	alphaMountain.ai (Suspicious), Bfore.Ai PreCrime (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (findflarex.com)	172.67.180.87
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

Guard Search, Bookmark Plus New Tab, and Bookmark Start are just a couple examples of browser hijackers. They tend to appear ordinary and harmless.

Browser-hijacking software can also offer a wide variety of handy functionalities, ranging from providing improved search results to converting files into different formats. However, these functions seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all.

Remember that even if a browser extension or an application operates as advertised – that alone does not prove its legitimacy or safety.

How did hsearchs install on my computer?

"Bundling" – packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is used to distribute browser hijackers. These pre-packed installation setups can be downloaded from freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, and other dubious sources.

The risk of bundled content infiltrating the system is increased by inattentiveness when installing software (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping steps, using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.).

Additionally, browser hijackers are promoted on legitimate-looking download pages and scam websites. They are most commonly accessed via redirects caused by intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, sites employing rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, and installed adware.

Browser-hijacking software is proliferated by intrusive advertisements as well. Some of these adverts can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that carry out stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

It is essential to research software and download it only from official/verified channels. We recommend approaching installations with care, e.g., by reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplementary apps, extensions, features, etc.

Another recommendation is to be vigilant while browsing since the Internet is rife with well-disguised fraudulent and dangerous content. For example, while intrusive ads may appear innocuous – they redirect users to unreliable and questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

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

Appearance of findflarex.com redirecting to boyu.com.tr (GIF):

Permissions asked by hsearchs 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:
▼ 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 hsearchs?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove hsearchs browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Change homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove rogue redirects from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

hsearchs 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.

hsearchs browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove hsearchs 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 "hsearchs" 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 "hsearchs", 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 hsearchs 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 "hsearchs", 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 "hsearchs", 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 hsearchs 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 hsearchs 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 websites like findflarex.com and boyu.com.tr?

Software that causes rogue redirects is developed for profit. In other words, the developers/publishers generate revenue through redirects to websites like findflarex.com and boyu.com.tr.

Is visiting findflarex.com or boyu.com.tr 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 such pages is considered a minor privacy threat.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are predominantly distributed via bundled installation setups, deceptive promotional webpages, online scams, freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove hsearchs browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your device and eliminate detected browser-hijacking apps. It is noteworthy that manual removal (performed without security tools) might not be an ideal solution. In cases where multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system, after one is removed – the others may reinstall it. What is more, browser-hijacking software might be capable of denying access to removal-related settings or undoing user-made changes. Therefore, browser hijackers must be removed thoroughly and all at once.

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