Removal instructions for software causing redirects to seekthatonline.com
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of website is seekthatonline.com?
Our researchers discovered the seekthatonline.com fake search engine while analyzing the "SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites" browser hijacker. Websites of this kind cannot provide search results and tend to redirect to legitimate Internet search sites. Browser-hijacking software modifies browser settings to endorse fraudulent search engines.
SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites browser hijacker overview
Typically, browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepages, default search engines, and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of promoted webpages. Due to these modifications, when a new browser tab/window is opened or a search query is entered into the URL bar – it results in a redirect to the endorsed site.
At the time of research, the SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites extension promoted seekthatonline.com in this manner.
Usually, fake search engines cannot provide search results, so they redirect to legitimate Internet search websites. Seekthatonline.com is no exception; during testing, it redirected to the Yahoo search engine (search.yahoo.com). Keep in mind that this site could land elsewhere, as redirects might be influenced by factors like user geolocation.
Furthermore, browser-hijacking software often uses persistence-ensuring mechanisms, such as denying access to removal-related settings – to prevent users from recovering their browsers.
What is more, illegitimate search engines and browser hijackers tend to collect information. The software may target browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, etc. This vulnerable information can be monetized via sale to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of software like SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites on devices can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
| Name | SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites |
| Supposed Functionality | Quick access to users' favorite websites (including social, e-commerce, entertainment, etc.) |
| Promoted URL | seekthatonline.com |
| Detection Names (seekthatonline.com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (seekthatonline.com) | 18.160.41.55 |
| 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. |
Fake search engine and browser hijacker examples
Search-globe.com, advancedsearches.net, search.withaiforchrome.com, my-search-page.com – are some of our newest articles on fake search engines, and QuickSeek, SearchNinja, Fire Shield Secure Search, MYWeb Watch – on browser hijackers.
Rarely do these sites and the software endorsing them appear illegitimate; they tend to look genuine and harmless. Users may be enticed by promises of "handy" functionalities, which are usually nonoperational.
Remember that even if a webpage or an app/extension operates as indicated by its promotional material – that is not a guarantee of legitimacy or safety.
How did SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites install on my computer?
SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites has an "official" download page. Browser hijackers are also endorsed on scam websites. These pages are primarily entered via redirects caused by sites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, or installed adware.
Additionally, browser-hijacking software can be bundled with regular programs. The risk of inadvertently permitting bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and third-party websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by treating installations with negligence (e.g., skipping steps, using "Easy/Quick" settings, etc.).
Intrusive adverts spread this software as well. Once clicked on, some of these advertisements can execute scripts to perform sneaky downloads/installations.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly advise researching software prior to download/purchase. All downloads must be made from official and trustworthy sources. When installing, it is important to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all additions (e.g., apps, extensions, tools, features. etc.).
Another recommendation is to be vigilant when browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, while intrusive ads may look harmless – they redirect to unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).
In case of continuous encounters with such adverts/redirects, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Appearance of seekthatonline.com redirecting to the Yahoo search engine (GIF):
Permissions asked by SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites browser hijacker:
Website promoting SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites 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:
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Quick menu:
- What is SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove seekthatonline.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove seekthatonline.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites 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.
SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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 "SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites" 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 "SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.seekthatonline.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 "seekthatonline.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 seekthatonline - access to favorite sites browser hijacker, 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 "SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites", 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 "SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites", remove hxxp://seekthatonline.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 seekthatonline - access to favorite sites browser hijacker 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 seekthatonline - access to favorite sites browser hijacker, 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 seekthatonline.com website?
Cyber criminals (e.g., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers, etc.) generate revenue through redirects to sites like seekthatonline.com.
Is visiting seekthatonline.com a threat to my privacy?
To a certain extent, yes. Fake search engines (e.g., seekthatonline.com, etc.) usually gather and sell visitor data.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are primarily distributed through deceptive promotional pages, freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, online scams, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove SeekThatOnline - Access to favorite sites browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed browser-hijacking apps. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (performed without security programs) might not be a perfect solution. In cases where multiple browser hijackers are present, after one is removed – the others may simply reinstall it. Furthermore, browser-hijacking software might be able to deny access to removal-related settings or undo user-made changes. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.
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