What is FlashSearch browser plugin? — Fix Guide

Written by Wilbur Woodham
The FlashSearch hijacker is an illustration of a typical unwanted program; such applications are distributed massively these days. In this article you will see the complete guidance of “FlashSearch” hijacker removal in several tactics: using anti-malware software and also manual removal process.
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FlashSearch – What is it?

“FlashSearch” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)1, that is promoted as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically promoted as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to browse some certain information, as an example, about sport events, make your web browser a lot more secure, allow downloading of any type of video clip, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

However, the “FlashSearch” plugin is pretty pointless because all such functions are currently embedded to your web browser and/or Windows. Such marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. However often even qualified users are getting caught on such a lure. In particular cases, this hijacker is distributed together with free programs.

FlashSearch hijacker - Flashsearch.club

FlashSearch Hijacker

Here is a short info for the FlashSearch hijacker
NAMEFlashSearch
SiteFlashsearch.club
HostingAS16509 Amazon.com, Inc.
Germany, Düsseldorf
Infection TypeBrowser Hijacker, Unwanted Application
IP Address13.226.159.74
SymptomsChanged search engine; search queries redirection
Similar behaviorShow, Quick, Me
Fix Tool
To remove possible virus infections, try to scan your PC

How harmful is FlashSearch hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, FlashSearch hijacker is also considerably unsafe for web browser use. It transforms your search engine to its particular – Flashsearch.club, and additionally changes your background, adding its watermark on your background image (or, occasionally, altering it to default with the mentioned symbol).

In addition to viewable adjustments done by FlashSearch hijacker, you might see that a number of your search inquiries are redirecting to the uncertain websites, filled with web links and ads – so-called doorway sites. Such sites can contain web links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting rises if you attempt to start Google search page by force.

However all these actions are much more frustrating than really dangerous. The main danger, especially for individuals who have a lot of confidential information in their internet browsers, is embedded in information gathering functionalities. Cookie files, chats, often-visited web pages, and other activities are easily collected by FlashSearch hijacker.

How to remove FlashSearch hijacker?

  • Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
  • Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
  • “Move to quarantine” all items.
  • Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
  • Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
  • Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are almost always very simple to deal with. Most of the time, they have a separate app that can be located in the list of installed apps. As a result of the certain distribution tactic of FlashSearch hijacker, it can be quickly tracked and erased manually. However, if you got FlashSearch in the bundle with a free applications, your computer can be infected with much more serious malwaretrojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you to make use of anti-malware tools to remove the FlashSearch PUA and all various other malware.

You can utilize Microsoft Defender2 – it is capable of finding and eliminating different malware, including named hijacker. But significant malware, that can be present on your PC in the specified instance, can disable the Windows antivirus tool by editing the Group Policies. To avoid such situations, it is far better to utilize GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and remove all unwanted programs on your PC with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malicious programs, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and folders.

Main screen in GridinSoft Anti-Malware

You can observe the detected malicious programs sorted by their possible harm during the scan process. But to perform any actions against malicious programs, you need to wait until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware during the scan

To choose the action for each detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious app. By default, all malware will be moved to quarantine.

List of the detected malware after the scan

Reverting browser settings to original ones

To reset your browser settings, you need to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be counteracted by any malware, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be located in the Tools tab.

Tools tab in GridinSoft Anti-Malware

After choosing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be displayed, where you can choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Reset Browser Settings options

Deleteing FlashSearch hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

To reset Edge, do the following steps :
  1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
  2. Reseting the Edge browser

  3. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :
For Mozilla Firefox, do the next actions :
  1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
  2. The first step to revert Mozilla Firefox

  3. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :
  4. The second step of Firefox restoration
    After choosing this option, you will see the next message :
    The last step for Firefox

If you use Google Chrome
  1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
  2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
  3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
Opera can be reset in the next way
  1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
  2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

I need your help to share this guide.

Browser hijackers are among the largest and also disruptive kinds of malware. I published this article to help you, so I wish you will help me to make the computer world completely clean of malware. Please, share this article in the social networks you use – Twitter, Reddit, Facebook – wherever.
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Wilbur Woodham
How to Remove FlashSearch?

Name: FlashSearch

Description: FlashSearch - a lot of users became a victim of browser hijacker. I have a lot of friends who literally bombed me with the questions like “how to remove FlashSearch?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with FlashSearch (Flashsearch.club), which may corrupt your browser’s correct performance, and create a lot of troubles while you are working.

Operating System: Windows

Application Category: Browser Hijacker

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References

  1. More information about PUAs
  2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender

About the author

Wilbur Woodham

I was a technical writer from early in my career, and consider IT Security one of my foundational skills. I’m sharing my experience here, and I hope you find it useful.

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