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Site Finder Virus

Also Known As: Websites Recommendation Ads
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Site Finder?

The Site Finder browser add-on claims to enhance users' Internet browsing experience by finding alternatives to regular sites visited.

While this functionality may seem legitimate, computer users should be aware that the Site Finder plugin is categorized as a potentially unwanted application or adware since it installs on browsers (Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox) using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'.

Internet users often inadvertently install this adware without their consent when downloading free software. After successful installation, Site Finder generates links to third party websites, which could lead to malware infections.

Site Finder plugin

Moreover, this plugin tracks users' Internet browsing activity by recording browsing preferences, URLs visited, browsing history, and IP addresses. While the Site Finder add-on is not a virus or malware, its presence could lead to security infections and privacy issues.

Internet users should be aware that, today, the majority of freeware download websites use 'download clients' - small programs offering installation of advertised browser plugin together with the chosen free program. Thus, reckless free software downloading can result in adware infections.

The Site Finder browser extension is similar to other potentially unwanted applications, which infiltrate users' computers via free software downloads. Examples include boxore, motitags, and Web Save. To avoid installation of adware such as this, computer users should be attentive when downloading and installing free software.

If your download is managed by a download client, inspect each download step and decline installation of any advertised browser plug-ins. When installing downloaded programs, use the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options - this will reveal any intended installation of bundled adware.

Deceptive free software download client used within Site Finder adware distribution:

Deceptive freeware download client promoting Site Finder adware

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Quick menu:

Site Finder 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.

Site Finder uninstall using Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "Site Finder", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes Site Finder ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer use recommended malware removal software.

Remove Site Finder from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing Site Finder from Internet Explorer step 1

Click on the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "SiteFinder", select this entry and click "Remove".

Removing Site Finder from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the websites recommendation ads, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing Site Finder from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click on the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window) select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window remove "Site Finder".

Removing Site Finder from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with websites recommendation ads 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 adware from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

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

removing adware from safari step 2 - removing extensions

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

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 adware from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the websites recommendation ads, 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 adware while downloading free software sampleCommonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on websites recommendation ads or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

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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.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

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

QR Code
Websites Recommendation Ads QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Websites Recommendation Ads on your mobile device.
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