Removal instructions for the HyperSearch browser hijacker

What kind of software is HyperSearch?

While analyzing a rogue installation setup, our researchers discovered the HyperSearch browser hijacker. This extension makes changes to browser settings in order to promote (via redirects) the findflarex.com fake search engine.

HyperSearch browser hijacker overview

Typically, browser hijackers assign endorsed websites as the browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new tab/window URLs. Hence, users are forced to visit the newly assigned page whenever they enter a search query into the URL bar or open a new browser tab/window.

HyperSearch promotes findflarex.com in this manner. Fake search engines usually cannot produce search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search sites (e.g., Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.). Findflarex.com leads users to boyu.com.tr – another fraudulent search engine.

Unlike most, boyu.com.tr can provide search results – however, they are inaccurate and may include sponsored, deceptive, and possibly malicious content. Keep in mind that findflarex.com could land elsewhere, as redirects might be impacted by factors like user geolocation.

Browser-hijacking software often uses persistence-ensuring mechanisms to complicate its removal and prevent users from restoring their browsers. HyperSearch utilizes the "Managed by your organization" Google Chrome feature to this end.

Most browser hijackers have data-tracking abilities, and this might apply to HyperSearch. Targeted information may include: visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so on. This sensitive information can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

To summarize, the presence of software like HyperSearch on devices may result in system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	HyperSearch
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Detection Names (installer)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Browser Extension(s)	HyperSearch
Promoted URL	findflarex.com
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

Top Two, Loungoo, and NewEngine are merely a couple of browser hijackers that we have investigated recently. Browser-hijacking software rarely appears illegitimate or otherwise suspicious; it tends to look ordinary and harmless. These browser extensions and applications can offer various useful functionalities, which are usually nonoperational.

It must be stressed that even if a piece of software functions exactly as detailed by its promotional material – that is not irrefutable proof of legitimacy or safety.

How did HyperSearch install on my computer?

Browser hijackers can be bundled with (packed alongside) regular programs. These pre-packed installers can be downloaded from freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, and other suspicious sources. The risk of allowing bundled content into the device is increased by rushing through installations (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).

Additionally, browser-hijacking software is promoted on legitimate-looking download pages and scam websites. Most users enter these webpages via redirects generated by intrusive adverts, spam browser notifications, sites employing rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, or installed adware.

Intrusive advertisements also proliferate this software. Some of these ads can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform sneaky downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/trustworthy channels. Installation processes must be approached with caution by reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all supplements (e.g., apps, tools, extensions, etc.).

We also advise vigilance when browsing since the Internet is full of deceptive and malicious content. For example, intrusive ads may appear legitimate/innocuous – yet redirect users to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, gambling, adult dating, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with such advertisements/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with HyperSearch, 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 HyperSearch 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 HyperSearch?
• STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove HyperSearch 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.

HyperSearch 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.

HyperSearch browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove HyperSearch 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 "HyperSearch" 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 "HyperSearch", 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 hypersearch 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 "HyperSearch", 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 "HyperSearch", 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 hypersearch 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 hypersearch 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?

Redirects to sites like findflarex.com and boyu.com.tr are generated because cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers) profit through them.

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 gather and sell visitor data. Therefore, visiting such webpages is considered a minor privacy threat.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are most commonly proliferated via bundled installation setups, deceptive promotional webpages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, online scams, P2P sharing networks, intrusive ads, and spam browser notifications.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove HyperSearch browser hijacker?

Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove installed browser-hijacking apps. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without the aid of security software) might be ineffective. In cases where multiple browser hijackers have infiltrated the system, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, removal-related settings might be unmodifiable with this software present. Therefore, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.

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