How to remove find.searchtheimage.com

What is find.searchtheimage.com?

Our analysis shows that find.searchtheimage.com is a fake search engine promoted through a browser hijacker (an unwanted browser extension) called Image Search. Using find.searchtheimage.com and the associated hijacked can cause security and privacy risks. Thus, users should avoid using them.

Find.searchtheimage.com overview

During our inspection, find.searchtheimage.com did not provide any search results. Instead, it redirected to bing.com, a legitimate search engine (find.searchtheimage.com may also direct users to other search engines). Since it is a fake search engine, it should be avoided.

It is common for shady search engines to be used to promote various scams (e.g., websites designed to steal sensitive information or money). These search engines can also lead to unwanted installations and malware infiltrations. Additionally, they are often promoted through browser hijackers.

These extensions (including Image Search) hijack browsers by changing settings, such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. Moreover, they can be designed to prevent users from undoing these changes while they are added to browsers. Additionally, browser hijackers can collect various data.

This can include browsing history, search queries, IP addresses, geolocation details, and even sensitive information entered into websites. The gathered information can be sold to third parties or used for further malicious activity. Thus, it is highly advisable not to use extensions classified as browser hijackers.

Conclusion

Overall, find.searchtheimage.com functions as a fake search engine that offers no real results and can expose users to privacy and security risks. Browser hijackers associated with it can modify settings, track user activity, and potentially lead to malware or scams. It is is best to avoid find.searchtheimage.com and browser hijackers.

Some examples of similar search engines are search-redirect.com, mobiletips.in, and search.getbettersearch-api.com.

How did Image Search install on my computer?

Browser hijackers often infiltrate browsers via software bundles - when users finish installations without deselecting unwanted offers (usually presented in "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings, or near ticked checkboxes). It is common for browser hijackers to be bundled with free or questionable software.

Using P2P networks, third-party downloaders, unofficial app stores or sites, etc., or interacting with misleading ads (or other elements) on dubious pages can also lead users to browser hijacking.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

When downloading software, use verified app stores (Google Play, Apple App Store) or the official website of the software. When installing programs, read each step carefully. Uncheck the optional offers that you do not want. Avoid interacting with ads and links on shady pages, and do not permit such sites to send you notifications.

Keep the operating system and apps up to date and regularly scan your device using a trustworthy security tool. If your computer is already infected with Image Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Find.searchtheimage.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):

Permissions asked by Image Search browser hijacker:

Website promoting Image Search browser hijacker:

Second screenshot of the website promoting Image Search:

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:

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.

Quick menu:

• What is find.searchtheimage.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Image Search application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Image Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove find.searchtheimage.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove find.searchtheimage.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Image Search 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 find.searchtheimage.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Image Search 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 "Image Search" 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 "Image Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.find.searchtheimage.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 "find.searchtheimage.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 image search 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 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 "Image Search", 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 "Image Search", remove hxxp://find.searchtheimage.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 image search 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 image search 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 find.searchtheimage.com website?

By forcing users to visit find.searchtheimage.com, operators boost its visitor numbers and potentially increase the profit.

Is visiting find.searchtheimage.com a threat to my privacy?

Yes. Visiting find.searchtheimage.com can threaten your privacy because it is a fake search engine tied to a browser hijacker. It may gather various data, which then could be sold to third parties or misused in other ways.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers usually enter systems through software bundles when users do not opt out of extra offers. They can also spread via P2P networks, unofficial downloads, shady app stores, or deceptive ads on untrustworthy websites.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Image Search browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove browser hijackers. Manual removal can be tricky if multiple hijackers are added and capable of preventing removal. In such cases, all hijackers should be removed together.