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How to eliminate KittCat browser hijacker

Also Known As: KittCat redirect
Damage level: Medium

What kind of extension is KittCat?

Our examination of KittCat extension has shown that it functions as a browser hijacker. The purpose of KittCat is to promote a fake search engine. In addition to hijacking a browser, KittCat may gather various data. Thus, users should avoid adding KittCat (and similar extensions) to browsers.

finditfasts.com browser hijacker

KittCat browser hijacker overview

The fake search engine promoted through KittCat is finditfasts.com. KittCat hijacks a web browser to promote finditfasts.com by making it the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. Finditfasts.com is classified as fake because it does not generate any results. After entering a search query, finditfasts.com redirects to boyu.com.tr.

Boyu.com.tr is a dubious search engine that can include fraudulent links and ads in its results. Clicking them might take users to phishing websites, technical support scams, fake lotteries, giveaways, websites hosting potentially malicious software, etc. Thus, boyu.com.tr and similar search engines should not be used.

Also, KittCat can enable the "Managed by your organization" setting in Chrome browsers. Companies and organizations often use this feature to set certain policies. However, the individuals behind KittCat may exploit this feature to add, disable, or remove apps, change themes, restrict access to sites, and more.

Furthermore, KittCat browser hijacker might collect various information. This can include details such as browsing history, search queries, geolocation information, IP addresses, and even more personal data like personal identification information. The creators of KittCat might misuse the harvested data for malicious purposes.

It is also worth noting that removing a browser hijacker can be challenging. Even after elimination, residual files or settings may remain, requiring additional steps or specialized tools to fully eradicate a browser hijacker from the browser and system.

Threat Summary:
Name KittCat
Threat Type Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s) KittCatt
Supposed Functionality Improved browsing experience
Promoted URL finditfasts.com
Detection Names (finditfasts.com) N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (finditfasts.com) 104.21.59.64
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.
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Conclusion

Browser hijackers pose risks by altering browser settings and harvesting various data. Users should be careful when downloading software, manage browser extensions, and use reliable security tools. Removing hijackers already added to browsers is important to maintain security and privacy.

Examples of browser hijackers are HyperSearch, Top Two, and Loungoo.

How did KittCat install on my computer?

Browser hijackers are often spread through websites that falsely present them as useful and legitimate. They can also be found on unofficial (third-party) app stores. Other unreliable sources for these unwanted extensions and apps include peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, free file hosting sites, third-party download managers, and similar channels.

Additionally, browser hijackers can be included with free or unreliable software. Users may inadvertently install or add these hijackers if they do not carefully review installation options, particularly when they do not change "Advanced", "Custom", or similar installation options.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Download software from official pages or app stores. Always carefully review installation options. Use "Custom" or "Advanced" settings to uncheck any additional offers/bundled apps when available. Avoid clicking on suspicious links, pop-ups, or ads, and regularly update your operating system and security software (and other installed programs).

Additionally, use a reliable antivirus program. If your computer is already infected with KittCat, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

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

KittCat browser hijacker finditfasts.com redirects to boyu.com.tr

Permissions asked by KittCat browser hijacker:

KittCat browser hijacker asking for permissions

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:

KittCat browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

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:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

finditfasts.com browser hijacker uninstall via Control Panel

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

KittCat browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove KittCat browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing finditfasts.com related Google Chrome extensions

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "KittCat" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

If the extension is locked (you see the "Your browser is managed by your organization" feature enabled) read this article for detailed removal instructions.

Change your homepage:

Removing finditfasts.com from Google Chrome homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "KittCat", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.finditfasts.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:

Removing finditfasts.com from Google Chrome default search engine

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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 "finditfasts.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 kittcat redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing finditfasts.com related Mozilla Firefox extensions

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "KittCat", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Removing finditfasts.com from Mozilla Firefox homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "KittCat", remove hxxp://finditfasts.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

Removing finditfasts.com from Mozilla Firefox 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 Mozilla Firefox switch about:config entry button button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with kittcat redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

removing browser hijacker from safari step 2 - removing extensions

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

Removing browser hijackers from safari step 3 - changing homepage

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.

removing browser hijackers from safari step 4 - changing the default Internet search engine

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...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 2

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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:

Removing browser hijackers from Microsoft Edge step 3

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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 Microsoft Edge (Chromium) puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the kittcat redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of browser hijackers while downloading free software sampleA 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.

Post a comment:
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users visit finditfasts.com website?

Redirecting users to the finditfasts.com website increases the number of visitors, enabling the site's operators to generate more revenue.

Is visiting finditfasts.com a threat to my privacy?

Finditfasts.com might expose users to unwanted content. Also, this fake search engine may collect various information.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are often disguised as legitimate tools on deceptive websites and unofficial app stores. They can also be distributed through P2P networks, free file hosting sites, and third-party download managers. Additionally, they may be bundled with free or unreliable software, and users may unintentionally install them by not reviewing "Advanced" or "Custom" installation options.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove KittCat browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove browser hijackers. If multiple hijackers are present, it may be difficult to remove them manually. These hijackers may reinstall one another, and it may be required to remove all of them simultaneously.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
KittCat redirect QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of KittCat redirect on your mobile device.
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