How To Remove Findmefreebies Browser Hijacker From Chrome And Other Browsers

FindMeFreebies is a potentially unwanted application categorized as adware that claims to help users find free products and samples. However, this toolbar developed by Mindspark Inc. actually functions as a browser hijacker that modifies browser settings, tracks user activity, and diminishes browser performance. This article provides detailed instructions for removing FindMeFreebies from Chrome and other browsers to restore normal browsing functionality and protect privacy.

What is FindMeFreebies?

FindMeFreebies is a potentially unwanted application developed by Mindspark Inc. This plug-in claims to enhance users' Internet browsing experience by helping them to find free products, samples, and services. Although this functionality may seem legitimate, users should be aware that this toolbar is categorized as adware.

After infiltration, the FindMeFreebies toolbar assigns the homepage and default search engine settings to home.tb.ask.com. Furthermore, FindMeFreebies tracks users' Internet browsing by recording IP addresses, browser types, default language settings, search queries, and other information.

This browser hijacker typically installs through deceptive software bundling, where it's included as an additional component during the installation of free software. Most current freeware download websites use small programs (download managers) to monetize their free services, and these managers often offer installation of advertised browser extensions along with the chosen freeware.

None of these toolbars add any real value for the user and, in fact, diminish browser performance, track users' Internet browsing activity, and may lead to serious privacy issues, identity theft, or malware infections. The purpose of these browser extensions is to generate revenue via browser redirects and display of intrusive online advertisements.

How to Remove FindMeFreebies from Chrome

To remove FindMeFreebies from Google Chrome, follow these steps:

Remove malicious extensions from Chrome:

1. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome)
2. Select "More tools" > "Extensions"
3. Look for any suspicious extensions related to FindMeFreebies
4. Click "Remove" on any unwanted extensions

Change your default search engine:

1. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome)
2. Select "Settings"
3. In the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines..."
4. In the opened list look for unwanted search engines related to FindMeFreebies
5. When located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete"

Change your homepage:

1. Click the Chrome menu icon and select "Settings"
2. In the "On startup" section, disable any unwanted startup pages related to FindMeFreebies
3. Look for browser hijacker URLs below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option
4. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove"

Reset Chrome settings:

If problems persist, reset Chrome settings to default: 1. Click the Chrome menu icon and select "Settings" 2. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen 3. Click the Advanced… link 4. After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset button (Restore settings to their original defaults) 5. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button

How to Remove FindMeFreebies from Other Browsers

Mozilla Firefox:

Remove malicious extensions from Firefox:

1. Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window)
2. Select "Add-ons and themes"
3. Look for any suspicious extensions related to FindMeFreebies
4. Click "Remove" on any unwanted extensions

Remove FindMeFreebies homepage and default search engine:

1. Click the Firefox menu and select "Options"
2. In the "General" tab, look for the "Homepage" section
3. Change the homepage URL to your preferred page
4. Navigate to the "Search" tab
5. Click "Default Search Engine"
6. Select your preferred search engine and remove any unwanted ones

Microsoft Edge:

Remove rogue plug-ins from Edge:

1. Open Microsoft Edge
2. Click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner
3. Select "Extensions"
4. Look for any suspicious extensions related to FindMeFreebies
5. Click the three vertical dots and select "Remove"

Reset Edge settings:

1. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings
2. In the opened settings menu select Reset settings
3. Select Restore settings to their default values
4. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button

Safari:

Remove FindMeFreebies redirect from Safari:

1. Open Safari
2. Click on "Safari" in the top menu bar
3. Select "Preferences"
4. Go to the "Extensions" tab
5. Look for any suspicious extensions related to FindMeFreebies
6. Click "Uninstall" to remove them

How to Uninstall FindMeFreebies from Your Computer

In addition to removing browser extensions, it's important to uninstall the FindMeFreebies application from your computer:

Windows 11 users:

1. Right-click on the Start icon
2. Select Apps and Features
3. In the opened window search for "FindMeFreebies Internet Explorer Toolbar"
4. After locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall

Windows 10 users:

1. Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen
2. In the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel
3. In the opened window choose Programs and Features
4. Look for "FindMeFreebies Internet Explorer Toolbar"
5. Select this entry and click Uninstall or Remove

Windows 7 users:

1. Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop)
2. Choose Control Panel
3. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program
4. Look for "FindMeFreebies Internet Explorer Toolbar"
5. Select this entry and click Uninstall or Remove

macOS (OSX) users:

1. Click Finder
2. In the opened screen select Applications
3. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock)
4. Right-click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash

Additional Removal Methods

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

1. Click on the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer)
2. Select "Manage Add-ons"
3. Look for "FindMeFreebies", "Toolbar BHO", and "Search Assistant BHO"
4. Select these entries and click "Remove"

Change your homepage in Internet Explorer:

1. Click on the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer)
2. Select "Internet Options"
3. In the opened window remove any unwanted URLs (like home.tb.ask.com)
4. Enter your preferred URL, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer
5. You can also enter "about:blank" to open a blank page when starting Internet Explorer

Change your default search engine in Internet Explorer:

1. Click on the "gear" icon and select "Manage Add-ons"
2. In the opened window, select "Search Providers"
3. Set "Google", "Bing" or any other preferred search engine as your default
4. Remove "Ask Web Search" or any unwanted search engines

Reset Browser Settings

If you continue to have problems with removal of the FindMeFreebies browser hijacker, reset your browser settings to default:

Internet Explorer:

Windows XP users: 1. Click Start, click Run 2. In the opened window type inetcpl.cpl 3. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: 1. Click the Windows logo 2. In the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter 3. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset

Windows 8 users: 1. Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon 2. Select "Internet Options" 3. Click the Advanced tab, then click Reset

Preventing Future Infections

To avoid installation of adware similar to FindMeFreebies in the future:

1. Always choose the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options, rather than 'Typical' or 'Quick' - by choosing these options, bundled browser extensions listed for installation along with the chosen freeware, are revealed and you will be able to decline them.

2. Pay close attention during the download and installation of free software. Not paying enough attention during the download and installation of freeware can result in adware or malware infections.

3. Be cautious of deceptive banner ads within free software download websites. Research shows that FindMeFreebies is distributed via deceptive banner ads within free software download and similar websites.

4. Consider using professional malware removal tools to scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components after removal.

Automatic Removal Options

Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. For automatic removal, consider using professional malware removal tools like Combo Cleaner, which checks if your computer is infected with malware.

Note that to use the full-featured product of Combo Cleaner, you need to purchase a license, though a 7-day free trial is available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Conclusion

FindMeFreebies toolbar is a browser hijacker that modifies browser settings, tracks user activity, and diminishes browser performance. It typically infiltrates systems through deceptive software bundling during free software installations. The removal process involves uninstalling the application from your system, removing malicious browser extensions, and resetting browser settings to default.

By following the detailed instructions provided in this article, users can effectively remove FindMeFreebies from their browsers and computers. Additionally, adopting safe browsing practices and carefully reviewing installation options can help prevent future infections by similar adware applications.

Sources

1. FindMeFreebies Toolbar Removal Guide
2. FindIt-All Browser Hijacker Removal Guide