How to remove Fast Cars browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is Fast Cars?
In our examination of the Fast Cars browser extension, we have noted that it alters browser settings to favor a particular address, a behavior commonly referred to as browser hijacking. Users should avoid adding browser hijackers to their browsers to mitigate potential complications.
Fast Cars browser hijacker overview
Once added to a browser, Fast Cars changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page to bing.com. Also, when users enter search queries, they are provided with search results from bing.com, a reliable search engine. However, apps designed to hijack browsers should not be trusted.
Apps like Fast Cars can potentially gather a wide range of user data, including browsing history, search queries, IP addresses, geolocation information, and even personal identifiers. This data collection can occur without the user's consent or knowledge, leading to privacy concerns.
By harvesting data without consent or clear disclosure, apps like Fast Cars violate user privacy rights and may expose individuals to risks such as identity theft, targeted advertising, and other issues. The collected data can also be sold to third parties or used for malicious purposes.
It is also important to mention that browser hijackers often promote fake search engines. These fake search engines often generate manipulated search results, inundating users with sponsored links, advertisements, and potentially malicious websites. This manipulation not only compromises the user experience but also increases the likelihood of users inadvertently clicking on harmful content.
| Name | Fast Cars |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Fast Cars |
| Supposed Functionality | Enhanced browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | bing.com |
| 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. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, such applications can cause problems by collecting data without consent and promoting fake search engines. It is essential for users to remain aware of potential threats and to exercise discretion when adding extensions to browsers or installing apps on computers to safeguard their online security and privacy.
Additional examples of browser hijackers are Wallpaper Ext, Prizm Search, and Flixtab.
How did Fast Cars install on my computer?
Unwanted installations can be triggered via ads and pop-ups that employ deceptive language or flashy graphics to grab attention and prompt users to click, leading them to download unwanted apps without fully understanding their risks. Another way users can be tricked is through fake or third-party app stores or counterfeit versions of popular apps.
Another way users can inadvertently install shady apps is through software bundling. This tactic involves packaging software with additional, often unwanted, programs. During the installation process of the desired software, users may overlook or hastily click through prompts that also install the bundled apps.
P2P networks, third-party downloaders, notifications from unreliable websites, unofficial pages, and similar channels are also used to distribute questionable applications.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Before you download an app, make sure to read user reviews and check ratings to assess its reputation and reliability. Steer clear of third-party app stores or unfamiliar websites, as they could harbor malicious apps. It is best to use trusted sources like official app stores (such as Google Play Store or Apple App Store) or the official websites of software developers.
During the installation process of any software, carefully read each step and deselect any additional offers or bundled programs. Be cautious when clicking on links, pop-ups, ads, and similar content, especially if it seems suspicious or too good to be true. Keep your operating system, apps, and security software up to date.
If your computer is already infected with Fast Cars, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Fast Cars browser hijacker promotes bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Fast Cars browser hijacker:
Website promoting Fast Cars 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 Fast Cars?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Fast Cars application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Fast Cars browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove bing.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove bing.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Fast Cars 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 bing.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Fast Cars 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 "Fast Cars" 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 "Fast Cars", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.bing.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 "bing.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 fast cars 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 "Fast Cars", 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 "Fast Cars", remove hxxp://bing.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 fast cars 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 fast cars 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 a fake search engine?
Promoting a counterfeit search engine can be seen as a strategy to artificially inflate the site's traffic, allowing its operators to generate more revenue.
Is visiting a fake search engine a threat to my privacy?
These fake platforms often track your browsing activities and collect personal information without your consent. Moreover, they frequently display manipulated search results and deceptive advertisements, exposing you to potential scams or malware.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijacking commonly originates from various sources, including software obtained from untrustworthy sources, malicious links or advertisements, downloads from peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, third-party app stores, compromised websites, or notifications from suspicious web pages.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Fast Cars browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner conducts comprehensive scans of computers and efficiently removes browser-hijacking applications. Manual removal may prove insufficient, especially when confronting multiple hijackers capable of reinstalling each other. In such instances, simultaneous removal becomes imperative to guarantee complete eradication.
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