What is Fast Browser browser plugin? — Fix Guide

Fast Browser – What is it?

“Fast Browser” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is spread as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically spread as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to search some certain information, for example, about sport events, make your browser a lot more safe, allow downloading of any type of web video, et cetera. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nonetheless, the “Fast Browser” plugin is quite ineffective due to the fact that all such features are already embedded to your browser and/or system. Such advertising and marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, such as pensioners or schoolchildren. But often even experienced users are getting caught on such a lure. In specific situations, this hijacker is dispersed together with free programs.

Fast Browser Search Hijacker

How harmful is Fast Browser hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, Fast Browser hijacker is additionally considerably unsafe for web browser utilization. It modifies your search engine to its particular – Fastbrowser.co, and additionally modifies your background, putting its watermark on your wallpaper (or, in some cases, changing it to default with the mentioned symbol).

Besides visual alterations done by Fast Browser hijacker, you can discover that several of your search queries are redirecting to the suspicious sites, filled with web links and advertisements – so-called doorway sites. Such websites can consist of links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting boosts if you try to start Google search page by force.

However all these actions are a lot more annoying than really damaging. The most important risk, specifically for individuals who have a great deal of secret information in their browsers, is installed in information collecting functions. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited sites, and various other activities are simply gathered by Fast Browser hijacker.

How to remove Fast Browser 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 typically quite very easy to deal with. In many cases, they have an independent application that can be located in the list of installed apps. Due to the specific distribution method of Fast Browser hijacker, it can be conveniently tracked and deleted manually. However, if you got Fast Browser in the bundle with a free program, your personal computer may be infected with a lot more dangerous malware – trojans, spyware or even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you utilize anti-malware programs to remove the Fast Browser PUA and all other malware.

You can use Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of discovering and eliminating a wide range of malware, including mentioned hijacker. But major malware, that may be present on your PC in the discussed case, can disable the Windows antimalware program by modifying the Group Policies. To prevent such circumstances, it is far better to make use of GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and remove all unwanted applications on your personal computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to utilize Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the viruses, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and directories.

You can see the detected malicious apps sorted by their possible hazard simultaneously with the scan process. But to perform any actions against malicious programs, you need to hold on until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.

To choose the action for each detected virus or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected virus. By default, all the viruses will be moved 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 counteracted by any malware, hence, you will surely see the result. This action can be found in the Tools tab.

After choosing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be displayed, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing Fast Browser 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.

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
2. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :

After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
   

1. 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 :
2. 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.

References

1. More information about PUAs
2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender