Search.hclassifiedlist.net Redirect
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is search.hclassifiedlist.net?
Search.hclassifiedlist.net is a fake search engine that gets installed thought the app called Classified List. Classified List offers users not only to use their supposedly enhanced browser engine with improved search results, but to access online classifieds such as Craiglist, Classified Ads Close 5 ads and Super Ads in a single click.
Classified List browser hijacker targets Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge and Safari web browsers and it gets installed as an add-on, extension in a web browser or as a program on your operating system.
Once installed, it takes control over your web browser by changing its settings and replacing your default search engine, home page and all new tabs with search.hclassifiedlist.net fake search engine. It provides users with links to previously mentioned websites and also offers you a quick access to amazon.com, gmail.com, youtube.com and facebook.com.
It also contains two search boxes and a tab with a current local weather. Once the search enquiry is made, it redirects you to search.yahoo.com, a legitimate Yahoo search engine. It is worth mentioning that most browser hijackers, including Classified List, collect browsing-related data like IP addresses, search terms, enquiries etc.
All the collected information most likely will be handed over to third parties and used to generate revenue - that is the main purpose of almost every web browser hijacker. Information tracking could also lead to even more serious problems like privacy issues, especially if the third party is a cyber criminal.
Name | Classified List browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser(s) settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). User's are forced to visit 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 browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Browser hijackers like Classified List tend to provide users with unwanted or misleading redirects. By visiting untrustworthy websites you risk to get your computer infected or to be tricked into downloading malicious software. Simply said, there is no real value for users in it and most likely browser hijacker will cause you more trouble than benefit.
There are many browser hijackers like Classified List out there, here are some examples: Weather Update, AmazingTab, My Bank Login and many more.
How did Classified List install on my computer?
One way to get it installed is to visit the classifiedlist.net website and download it from there. However, most probably that is not how it got installed. Usually browser hijacker get installed when developers are using the bundling method, when a particular software like a browser hijacker gets installed together with some other regular software that you downloaded from the Internet.
These bundled apps usually are hidden in "Custom"/"Advanced" (or similar) settings of the installation process. Besides, users often click on various ads (intrusive ads) without thinking about possible consequences. Careless behaviour online like this often is the reason why browsers get hijacked.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Be cautious when downloading and installing software. Do not download software from unofficial/untrustworthy websites, use direct links only. Pay attention to the details of software installation processes - carefully analyze each step by checking all available installation settings/options, like "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar options.
Look for any available checkboxes and opt-out them if needed as well. Do not use third party software downloaders or installers, developers usually monetize them by using the previously mentioned "bundling" method. Avoid clicking on intrusive ads that redirect you to untrustworthy websites like adult dating, pornography and gaming websites.
Keep your antivirus real-time protection enabled at all times. If your computer is already infected with Classified List, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Website promoting Classified List 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 search.hclassifiedlist.net?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Classified List application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove search.hclassifiedlist.net redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Classified List browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.hclassifiedlist.net homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove search.hclassifiedlist.net redirect from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Classified List 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 (for example, "Classified List"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted programs (which cause browser redirects to the search.hclassifiedlist.net website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Classified List browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://search.hclassifiedlist.net and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "Classified List...".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the classified list browser hijacker, 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.
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.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Classified List" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Classified List", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.hclassifiedlist.net) 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 "search.hclassifiedlist.net" when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the classified list 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "Classified List" (or simply "Classifieds"), as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window remove Classified List (or simply "Classifieds") 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 "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "moz-extension"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with classified list 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 classified list 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.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on classified list browser hijacker or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
▼ Show Discussion