BrowserHunt.com is a fake search engine and the primary domain of a browser hijacker. The hijacker redirects you when you try to do a search from its search pages. The redirect will send you to a search results page that looks like the one of Yahoo. Your searches will go through SafeFinder, which is also a browser hijacker. BrowserHunt.com can replace the homepage, new tab setting and search engine of any browser you use. To remove the hijacker, you should read the article till its end.
Threat Summary
| Name | BrowserHunt.com |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Short Description | All browsers on your computer could be affected. The hijacker redirects you and filters your searches. |
| Symptoms | Browser settings that can be changed are the homepage, search engine and new tab. You could witness sponsored content and advertisements. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss BrowserHunt.com. |
BrowserHunt.com – Delivery Ways
BrowserHunt.com can have several delivery ways. Third-party installers are the main cause for this hijacker getting on your PC. Setups of freeware or bundled software could place the unwanted program on your computer. Any such setup can have extra content set up for installation, by default. The hijacker could have altered your browser settings before you come to realize it. Preventing installations like those from adding unneeded components is done by finding Advanced or Custom settings inside the installation’s setup.
BrowserHunt.com can also be delivered with other ways to your computer and browsers. One of these ways is through redirect links and adverts on websites. Pop-ups, pop-unders, banners or other adverts might be used to lure in more users. The hijacker could deliver itself to your PC with the aid of different websites hosting redirects. Websites such as these might be affiliated or partnerned with BrowserHunt.com. The following browsers could be affected: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.
BrowserHunt.com – Overview
BrowserHunt.com is the primary domain for a browser hijacker. It looks like a legitimate search engine, but it is a fake one, which redirects you. The domain is named after the name of the hijacker, and precisely – Browser Hunt. You can view how the official page looks like from the picture below:
The BrowserHunt.com website is composed of one simple page filled with a picture, search bar, the name on its top and a link to its Privacy Policy at the bottom left corner. That page shown in the above picture will put itself in place of your default start page, new tab setting and search engine for nearly all of your browsers. The hijacker will alter the preferences of your browsers, too.
Add-ons, plugins or extensions related to the hijacker platform and additional components residing on your computer system, could spread redirects and advertisements. The redirects can leave you on very dubious websites or such that distribute third-party content. Owners of those sites can turn out to be partners or in a way affiliates of BrowserHunt.com.
Above, from the picture displayed, you can grasp the concept of what BrowserHunt.com does, to some extent. No actual Browser Hunt search engine is used. Instead you get redirected to the search results page of what appears to be Yahoo, at least on first glance. If you look more closely, you will find out that the search results are those of SafeFinder, which is another browser hijacker. That is the same action that the MountainBrowse.com redirect does.
BrowserHunt.com can obtain various information about you and your activity when you browse online. The search queries you make will provide extra data through cookies, hosted by both websites.
The two browser hijackers are intertwined in a way, and their owners are probably partners. Every bit of information you provide with your search queries is going to be sent to servers of the search platforms and collected. Be careful when you use their search bars and try not to provide personal details. Read on, to see what kind of information can be acquired from you by BrowserHunt.com.
BrowserHunt.com – Privacy Policy
You can see the Privacy policies of both hijackers on the left of this paragraph.
The Privacy Policy of the BrowserHunt.com site and the SafeFinder.com are both located on their corresponding, official domains shown in the above screenshots.
Because of the fact that search queries go through the Safe Finder browser hijacker, as well as that of the BrowserHunt.com website – both privacy policies are going to be applied.
By reading both policies, it is revealed that both of the platforms gather personally and non-personally identifying information. All that information may be disclosed between third-parties.
According to the Browser Hunt policy, information which can be collected is:
- The type of your browser
- The type of your device
- Language preferences
- Time stamps
- Clicks and visited pages
- Facebook Login, Google+, etc. data stored in such social media sites
- Email address
- Search logs
- Operating system
- Utilized internet service provider
- Other similar information
According to the policy of Safe Finder, the information which can be collected is:
- Browser (type and language)
- Operating System (type and language)
- Your name and address
- Geo location and IP address
- Date and time of access
- Your time zone
- Advertisements viewed
- Offers and services that interest you
- Default search
- VPN and Proxy services
- Internet Service Provider (ISP)
- Interaction with social networks
- Screen Resolution
- Search quires and browsing history
- Pages browsed and content viewed
With using any services associated with BrowserHunt.com or Safe Finder, along with applications which are related to them, you automatically grant your permission for the accumulation of your data. Both policies state that cookies, pixel tags, web beacons, and similar technologies can be utilized for acquiring more data. In the case of a sale, merger or bankruptcy of the BrowserHunt service, all personal information can be provided as an asset to a different company.
Remove BrowserHunt.com Completely from Your PC
To remove BrowserHunt.com manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the hijacker and all of its files completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software can keep your computer secure in the future.
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove BrowserHunt.com from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for BrowserHunt.com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall BrowserHunt.com and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by BrowserHunt.com on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by BrowserHunt.com there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for BrowserHunt.com (Windows).
Get rid of BrowserHunt.com from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall BrowserHunt.com and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to BrowserHunt.com. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove BrowserHunt.com via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove BrowserHunt.com files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as BrowserHunt.com, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for BrowserHunt.com (Mac)
Remove BrowserHunt.com from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase BrowserHunt.com from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall BrowserHunt.com from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove BrowserHunt.com from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the BrowserHunt.com will be removed.
Eliminate BrowserHunt.com from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
BrowserHunt.com-FAQ
What Is BrowserHunt.com?
The BrowserHunt.com threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of BrowserHunt.com?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like BrowserHunt.com?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does BrowserHunt.com Work?
Once installed, BrowserHunt.com can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
BrowserHunt.com can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is BrowserHunt.com Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the BrowserHunt.com Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this BrowserHunt.com how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on BrowserHunt.com?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the BrowserHunt.com threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.