Site Finder Virus
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
Site Finder virus removal instructions
What is Site Finder?
The Site Finder browser add-on claims to enhance users' Internet browsing experience by finding alternatives to regular sites visited. While this functionality may seem legitimate, computer users should be aware that the Site Finder plugin is categorized as a potentially unwanted application or adware since it installs on browsers (Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox) using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'. Internet users often inadvertently install this adware without their consent when downloading free software. After successful installation, Site Finder generates links to third party websites, which could lead to malware infections.
Moreover, this plugin tracks users' Internet browsing activity by recording browsing preferences, URLs visited, browsing history, and IP addresses. While the Site Finder add-on is not a virus or malware, its presence could lead to security infections and privacy issues. Internet users should be aware that, today, the majority of freeware download websites use 'download clients' - small programs offering installation of advertised browser plugin together with the chosen free program. Thus, reckless free software downloading can result in adware infections.
The Site Finder browser extension is similar to other potentially unwanted applications, which infiltrate users' computers via free software downloads. Examples include boxore, motitags, and Web Save. To avoid installation of adware such as this, computer users should be attentive when downloading and installing free software. If your download is managed by a download client, inspect each download step and decline installation of any advertised browser plug-ins. When installing downloaded programs, use the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options - this will reveal any intended installation of bundled adware.
Deceptive free software download client used within Site Finder adware distribution:
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is Site Finder?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Site Finder application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Site Finder add-on from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Site Finder extension from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Site Finder extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Site Finder removal:
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.
Windows XP users:
Click Start, choose Settings and click Control Panel. Locate and click Add or Remove Programs.
Windows 10 and Windows 8 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.
Mac 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 "Site Finder", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes Site Finder ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Site Finder from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click on the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "SiteFinder", select this entry and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the websites recommendation ads, 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click on the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window remove "Site Finder".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with websites recommendation ads 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, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
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 upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the websites recommendation ads, 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:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
Removal assistance:
If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove websites recommendation ads from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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