How to remove Up 2 Date browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Up 2 Date?
During our testing of the Up 2 Date browser extension, we discovered that it functions as a browser hijacker. The extension takes control of the user's browser by modifying certain settings, leading to the use of finddbest.co. The main objective of the Up 2 Date extension is to promote a fake search engine.
Up 2 Date browser hijacker overview
Up 2 Date browser extension operates as a browser hijacker, changing the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to finddbest.co. Although finddbest.co redirects users to bing.com (a legitimate search engine), it is essential to note that fake search engines can redirect users to dangerous websites, display dubious ads, and provide false information.
Therefore, users should use trustworthy search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo and avoid finddbest.co and similar search engines. Furthermore, the Up 2 Date extension may be capable of accessing and collecting browsing data, including browsing history, which may be sold to third parties or utilized for advertising purposes.
Some browser hijackers can prevent users from undoing their changes by disabling the options to modify or reset the browser settings. They may also modify the Windows registry or add new entries to prevent users from uninstalling or removing the browser hijacker.
In such cases, it may be necessary to use specialized tools to remove the browser hijacker and restore the browser settings to their default values.
| Name | Up 2 Date |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Up 2 Date |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | finddbest.co |
| Detection Names (finddbest.co) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (finddbest.co) | 172.67.206.230 |
| 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. |
Browser hijackers in general
Unwanted software, known as browser hijackers, is created to gain control over web browsers without user awareness or permission. These programs usually change the browser configuration settings, such as the homepage, default search engine, and new tab page. Once added, browser hijackers can redirect users to undesired websites, present pop-up ads, and monitor their online behavior.
Examples of browser hijackers are Cinema Pro, iStart New Tab, and Toddler.
How did Up 2 Date install on my computer?
Users can install or add browser hijackers to their web browsers by downloading and installing malicious software or software bundles from untrusted sources. Sometimes, browser hijackers are also hidden in legitimate-looking browser extensions or add-ons that are promoted on deceptive websites or through spam emails.
In other cases, browser hijackers may be bundled with free software, and users unknowingly install or add them by accepting the default installation options.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Be careful when downloading and installing apps from the Internet. Download only from trusted sources (such as official websites and stores). Pay close attention during the installation process. Do not rush through the installation steps, and make sure to read all the terms and conditions.
Opt for "Custom" or "Advanced" installation instead of the "Express" or "Quick" option. This will allow you to see and deselect any bundled software. Avoid clicking on suspicious links and advertisements. If your computer is already infected with Up 2 Date, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Finddbest.co redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Up 2 Date browser hijacker:
Website promoting Up 2 Date 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 Up 2 Date?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Up 2 Date application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Up 2 Date browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove finddbest.co homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove finddbest.co redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Up 2 Date 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 (which cause browser redirects to the finddbest.co website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Up 2 Date 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 "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Up 2 Date" 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 "Up 2 Date", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.finddbest.co) 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 "finddbest.co", 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 finddbest.co redirect, 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 "Up 2 Date", 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 "Up 2 Date", remove hxxp://finddbest.co 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 finddbest.co redirect 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 finddbest.co redirect, 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 finddbest.co website?
Fake search engines usually generate income by displaying ads or collecting users' search queries and personal data, which can be exploited for malicious purposes.
Is visiting finddbest.co a threat to my privacy?
Finddbest.co and similar websites typically collect various information about their visitors. Thus, using them can cause issues related to online privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are frequently distributed through social engineering tactics, such as intrusive advertisements and browser notifications. They are also often bundled with software downloaders and installers.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Up 2 Date browser hijacker?
In some cases, manual removal may not be sufficient, especially when there are multiple hijackers present that can reinstall each other or make removal settings inaccessible. Therefore, removing all hijackers at once is required to ensure complete elimination. Combo Cleaner is an effective tool for removing browser-hijacking applications.
Outstanding!
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