Remove SearchFast.ru Browser Hijacker

Can’t Remove SearchFast.ru hijacker virus? This page includes detailed SearchFast.ru Removal instructions!

SearchFast.ru is the nth browser hijacker that’s roaming the Web. In case this is your first contact with a hijacker, you’re in for trouble. Despite being relatively easy to tackle, browser hijackers are sneaky and very dangerous. These programs get installed in silence and proceed to make modifications in silence. As long as SearchFast.ru is on your computer, you’re exposed to further threats. The virus goes after your default browser settings and alters them. Once its changes are complete, you’re no longer in control of your browsers. That means you could wave your online experience goodbye right now because SearchFast.ru won’t leave you alone. It modifies both your search engine and favorite homepage. They are now replaced with the parasite’s own malicious domain. What you have to keep in mind is this domain is beyond unreliable. There is only one reason for this program to be on your machine – to cause you trouble. SearchFast.ru boosts web traffic to some websites. To do that, the hijacker injects you browsers with sponsored web links. Were you promised accurate, safe search results? Nothing brought to you by a virus could possibly be considered safe. The SearchFast.ru infection keeps on changing your browsers. It installs an extension/plugin to them so the mess becomes even greater. Hence, there is no getting rid of the links generated by this pest. Every single time you attempt to browse the Web, you receive a greeting from the hijacker. It makes sure you’re constantly bombarded with sponsored, tailored web links. As you could imagine, finding what you search for is now impossible. You land on unknown websites, you get redirected, your browsers freeze/crash. And this is just the beginning. SearchFast.ru might also start displaying sponsored product commercials and deals. These ads are just as devious as the search results provided by the hijacker. In other words, you have to stay away from anything generated by SearchFast.ru. Clicking the search results or the ads could worsen your situation. You are one click away from malware so don’t risk it. Restrain yourself from clicking the SearchFast.ru web links and tackle the virus ASAP. The sooner you get rid of this pesky intruder, the better. This parasite is even capable of spying on your sensitive data. It monitors and classifies every move you make online. That could seriously affect your privacy unless you take measures.

How did I get infected with?

Not many PC users let infections loose voluntarily. Instead, cyber parasites wait for your distraction online and take advantage of it. The most plausible explanation of the parasite’s presence involves bundles. Bundled freeware and shareware are particularly convenient ways for you to download a bunch of programs at once. However, bundles provide hackers with an easy malware infiltration tactic. Next time you download bundled software, take your time. Opt for the Custom or Advanced option in the Setup Wizard and be cautious. Remember, unless you make a thorough check of the programs in there, you could install some dangerous bonuses. Pay close attention to what you agree to download and deselect the programs you don’t trust. This will certainly save you much more time and energy in the long run. Another piece of good advice is to check the Terms and Conditions or EULA (End User License Agreement). This could help you protect your system from undesirable intruders. The hijacker could have also been attached to some fake email or message. We would recommend that you delete the email-attachments you find suspicious instead of rushing to click them open.

Why is this dangerous?

The SearchFast.ru virus could get out of hand fast. As mentioned, this parasite modifies all your browsers including Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer. You’re left unable to surf the Web at peace. Furthermore, you end up exposed to more infections. All web links generated by the hijacker are sponsored. They get displayed solely to help hackers gain profit through the pay-per-click mechanism. Not only will you jeopardize your safety by clicking the ads but you will also become a sponsor of crooks. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t agree to support the malicious business of cyber criminals. Hackers completely destroy your online experience. They flood your PC screen with web links and potentially corrupted ads. In addition, your private details may get sent into the wrong hands. You have to uninstall the hijacker to prevent numerous privacy issues. You will find our detailed manual removal guide down below.

How to Remove SearchFast.ru virus

The SearchFast.ru infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the SearchFast.ru infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

WARNING! Stopping the wrong file or deleting the wrong registry key may damage your system irreversibly.
If you are feeling not technical enough just use Spyhunter Professional Malware Removal Tool to deal with the problem!
>>Download SpyHunter – a Professional Remover.

Please, keep in mind that SpyHunter’s scanner tool is free. To remove the SearchFast.ru infection, you need to purchase its full version.

STEP 1: Track down SearchFast.ru related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate SearchFast.ru startup location

STEP 3: Delete SearchFast.ru traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down SearchFast.ru related processes in the computer memory

• Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

• Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate SearchFast.ru startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean SearchFast.ru virus from the windows registry

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

STEP 3 : Clean SearchFast.ru traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

• Open Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools then Extensions
• Remove the SearchFast.ru by clicking on the little recycle bin
• Reset Google Chrome by Deleting the current user to make sure nothing is left behind

• Open Mozilla Firefox

• Press simultaneously Ctrl+Shift+A
• Disable the unwanted Extension
• Go to Help
• Then Troubleshoot information
• Click on Reset Firefox

• Open Internet Explorer

• On the Upper Right Corner Click on the Gear Icon
• Click on Internet options
• go to Toolbars and Extensions and disable the unknown extensions
• Select the Advanced tab and click on Reset

• Restart Internet Explorer

Step 4: Undo the damage done by SearchFast.ru

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for SearchFast.ru, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

• Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
• go to Network and Internet
• then Network and Sharing Center
• then Change Adapter Settings
• Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

You must clean all your browser shortcuts as well. To do that you need to

• Right click on the shortcut of your favorite browser and then select properties.

• in the target field remove SearchFast.ru argument and then apply the changes.
• Repeat that with the shortcuts of your other browsers.
• Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove SearchFast.ru Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your whole system or network and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible registry leftovers or temporary files.