How to remove finderflash.xyz?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of address is finderflash.xyz?
Finderflash.xyz is a fake search engine. Usually, fake search engines are promoted through browser hijackers - applications designed to modify browser settings. Users rarely download browser hijackers intentionally. For this reason, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Finderflash.xyz fake search engine in detail
Finderflash.xyz is a fake search engine because it redirects users to bing.com (shows results generated by Bing). An important detail about fake search engines is that they can generate search results containing links to potentially malicious pages or show results generated by other untrustworthy search engines.
Browser hijackers promote fake search engines by changing the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. Users cannot remove fake search engines (their addresses) from settings until browser hijackers are eliminated. A big part of browser hijackers is also capable of collecting various data.
Name | finderflash.xyz browser hijacker |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Supposed Functionality | Accurate search results, improved browsing experience |
Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
Detection Names | alphaMountain.ai (Suspicious), Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
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. |
Fake search engines in general
Search results displayed (or generated) by fake search engines could lead to untrustworthy sites. Browser hijackers cannot be trusted too. Having browsers hijacked can result in problems with browsing safety, online privacy, or other issues. A couple of examples of other fake search engines are sportsblast.xyz, speedsearch.xyz, and peatea.xyz.
How did finderflash.xyz install on my computer?
Users download or install PUAs via downloaders or installers for other programs, fake installers, or when they click on untrustworthy advertisements. Downloaders and installers used to distribute unwanted apps have "Manual", "Custom", "Advanced", or similar settings. These settings need to be changed to avoid unwanted downloads or installations.
Advertisements can cause unwanted downloads or installations when they are designed to run certain scripts. Fake installers are designed to look like legitimate ones. Most of them are promoted on untrustworthy pages.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download files and programs from trustworthy (official) websites and through direct links. Avoid using other sources for that. Also, do not finish downloads or installations without checking downloaders or installers for settings that could be used to deselect unwanted apps. Additionally, avoid clicking on advertisements that appear on questionable sites.
If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate it.
Finderflash.xyz redirects to bing.com (GIF):
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 finderflash.xyz?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove finderflash.xyz browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove finderflash.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove finderflash.xyz redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
finderflash.xyz redirect 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 (which cause browser redirects to the finderflash.xyz website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
finderflash.xyz redirect 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 "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all 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, look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.finderflash.xyz) 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 "finderflash.xyz" 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 finderflash.xyz 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 all 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 hxxp://finderflash.xyz 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: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with finderflash.xyz 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 finderflash.xyz 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 visit finderflash.xyz website?
Individuals behind finderflash.xyz profit from website visits. Their revenue depends on the number of times finderflash.xyz is visited.
Is visiting finderflash.xyz a threat to my privacy?
Websites like finderflash.xyz can be capable of collecting various information about their visitors. Therefore, visiting these pages may lead to problems related to online privacy, browsing safety, or other issues.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
A big part of browser hijackers is distributed using social engineering tactics like browser notifications, intrusive advertisements. Also, they can be found in downloaders and installers for some other programs.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove browser hijackers?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate existing browser-hijacking applications. It is important to mention that when users have multiple browser hijackers installed on browsers or computers, these apps can reinstall one another. Thus, it is recommended to eliminate such apps using specialized software. Also, all browser hijackers have to be removed at once.
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