The Freshy search hijacker is an example of a typical unwanted program; such programs are spread massively these days. On this page you will see the detailed guidance of “Freshy” hijacker removal in different ways: using anti-malware software and hand-operated removal method.
Freshy – What is it?
“Freshy” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)1, that is spread as a plugin for your internet browser. It is usually spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that helps to browse some specific info, as an example, about sporting activity events, make your web browser much more safe, enable downloading of any kind of video clip, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).
Nevertheless, the “Freshy” plugin is pretty pointless due to the fact that all such functions are currently built-in to your browser and/or system. Such advertising mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. But often even professional users are getting caught on such an attraction. In specific cases, this hijacker is spread along with free programs.
Here is a short info for the Freshy hijacker
NAME | Freshy |
Site | Freshysearch.com |
Hosting | AS13335 Cloudflare, Inc. United States, San Francisco |
Infection Type | Browser Hijacker, Unwanted Application |
IP Address | 104.21.6.61 |
Symptoms | Changed search engine; search queries redirection |
Similar behavior | Charmsearching, Template, Get |
Fix Tool | To remove possible virus infections, try to scan your PC |
How harmful is Freshy hijacker?
Besides its uselessness, Freshy hijacker is likewise quite hazardous for web browser usage. It modifies your search engine to its particular – Freshysearch.com, and additionally changes your background, putting its watermark on your wallpaper (or, occasionally, changing it to default with the mentioned sign).
In addition to viewable modifications done by Freshy hijacker, you might discover that many of your search queries are redirecting to the unfamiliar sites, filled with web links and advertisements – so-called doorway sites. Such sites can consist of links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting boosts if you try to open Google search page forcibly.
But all these actions are more irritating than really harmful. The most important danger, especially for individuals who have a considerable amount of confidential information in their web browsers, is embedded in information collecting capabilities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited websites, as well as other activities are simply gathered by Freshy hijacker.
How to remove Freshy search 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 rather very easy to remove. In many cases, they have an independent application that can be seen in the list of installed apps. Due to the particular marketing manner of Freshy hijacker, it can be conveniently tracked and erased by hand. Nevertheless, if you got Freshy in the bundle with a free applications, your system can be infected with much more dangerous malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d suggest you use anti-malware programs to deal with the Freshy PUA and all other malware.
You can utilize Microsoft Defender2 – it is capable of discovering and clearing away different malware, including mentioned hijacker. Nevertheless, major malware, that might be present on your PC in the discussed instance, can disable the Windows antimalware tool by editing the Group Policies. To prevent such scenarios, it is far better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
To detect and remove all malicious programs on your desktop with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the viruses, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and folders.
You can observe the detected viruses sorted by their possible harm simultaneously with the scan process. But to perform any actions against the viruses, you need to wait until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.
To set the action for every detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malware. By default, all malware will be removed to quarantine.
Reverting browser settings to original ones
To revert your browser settings, you need to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action cannot be intercepted by any malware, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be found in the Tools tab.
After choosing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be shown, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.
Deleteing Freshy 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 :
- Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
- 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 :
- Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
- In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :
After choosing this option, you will see the next message :
If you use Google Chrome
- Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
- In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
- 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
- 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 :
- 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 WoodhamHow to Remove Freshy?
Name: Freshy
Description: Freshy - 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 Freshy?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with Freshy (Freshysearch.com), 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
User Review
( votes)References
- More information about PUAs
- Detailed review of Microsoft Defender