Remove xfinder.pro browser hijacker

If your browser suddenly redirects you to xfinder.pro, your browser is likely hijacked by a browser hijacker. It’s a type of infection that makes unwanted changes to a browser’s settings and tries to redirect to sponsored websites. It’s not a dangerous infection because it does not directly harm the computer, but it is very annoying to deal with because it changes the homepage, new tabs, and search engine. All this is done to make it easier to redirect users to sponsored websites.

 

 

There’s only one good thing about a browser hijacker, and it’s how easily recognizable they are. This allows users to get rid of them quickly. As soon as they are installed, browser hijackers change your browser’s settings, essentially hijacking the browser. In the case of this specific browser hijacker, it sets xfinder.pr as the homepage and new tab, while also making it the default search engine. This means that each time you open your browser, xfinder.pr will load, and all your search queries will go through this site.

These changes can impact all popular browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. We should also note that these modifications are irreversible while the hijacker remains installed. Any changes you try to make will be overridden by the hijacker, leaving you stuck with xfinder.pr.

While browser hijackers are generally not serious infections, their redirects can lead you to potentially harmful websites. The primary purpose of a hijacker is to redirect users to sponsored content and generate revenue by redirecting them to specific sites. This is done by forcing users to use questionable search engines, such as xfinder.pro. These search engines insert sponsored links amidst legitimate search results, which can appear generic and unrelated to what you were actually searching for. It’s best to avoid clicking on these links, as they may lead you to sites promoting scams or concealing malware. Additionally, these irrelevant results offer no value to your search.

Aside from redirects, browser hijackers’ intrusive data collection is another worrying aspect. They often monitor the sites users visit, their search queries, and their IP addresses. This information may even be shared with third parties. Given how useless and intrusive the hijacker is, there’s no reason to tolerate it. The quicker you remove xfinder.pr, the sooner you can return to normal browsing.

Since browser hijackers are minor infections, they can be removed either manually or with the help of anti-virus software. We recommend using WiperSoft to remove xfinder.pr browser hijacker, as it will do everything for you.

How did a browser hijacker install on my computer?

Minor infections such as adware, browser hijackers, and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) often come bundled with free programs as additional offers. This method, known as software bundling, is controversial because it allows unwanted programs to be installed without users explicitly consenting to it. When a program has an attached offer, it is authorized to be installed alongside the main program without needing user approval. Although these offers are technically optional, users must manually deselect them to prevent installation. However, this is made difficult as the offers are hidden in settings that users usually don’t use, making them easy to overlook.

To avoid unwanted installations, opt for Advanced or Custom installation settings instead of Default when installing free programs. The installation window will suggest using Default settings, but choosing them will authorize any bundled offers to install automatically. Advanced (or Custom) settings will display all additional offers and provide the option to deselect them. If any offers are added, you can simply uncheck the boxes. It’s worth noting that many free programs from unofficial websites tend to come with these additional offers. Allowing such installations will clutter your computer with unnecessary programs, so it’s best to deselect all offers.

Browser hijackers are frequently promoted on free software download sites, advertised as legitimate extensions that can enhance your browsing experience. This highlights the importance of researching programs before installation. A quick search on Google or another search engine can often help determine if a program is safe. If search results indicate that an extension is a PUP or similar, it’s advisable not to install it.

How to remove xfinder.pr redirect

Since the infection isn’t complicated, you can remove xfinder.pr browser hijacker either manually or with anti-virus software. We recommend using a program like WiperSoft, as hijackers can be frustrating to remove manually. Once you completely remove xfinder.pr browser hijacker from your computer, you will be able to change your browser settings as usual.