Fast and Pretty Search browser hijacker removal instructions

Fast and Pretty Search – What is it?

“Fast and Pretty Search” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is spread as a plugin for your web browser. It is usually shared as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that aids to browse some special info, for example, about sporting activity events, make your browser a lot more safe, allow downloading of any kind of video clip, and so on.

However, the “Fast and Pretty Search” plugin is fairly ineffective since all such features are already built-in to your browser and/or Windows. Such advertising mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. However in some cases even experienced users are getting caught on such a lure. In particular scenarios, this hijacker is dispersed together with free software.

Fast and Pretty Search Search Hijacker

How harmful is Fast and Pretty Search hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, Fast and Pretty Search hijacker is likewise quite harmful for web browser use. It alters your search engine to its particular – Fastandprettysearch.com, and also alters your background, adding its watermark on your wallpaper (or, in some cases, changing it to default with the specified sign).

Aside from aesthetic modifications done by Fast and Pretty Search hijacker, you can notice that a number of your search questions are redirecting to the uncertain websites, full of links and promotions – so-called doorway websites. Such websites can consist of web links for malware downloads. The chance of redirecting rises if you attempt to open Google search page forcibly.

But all these actions are far more annoying than truly hazardous. The most important hazard, particularly for individuals who have a huge amount of confidential information in their web browsers, is installed in information gathering functions. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited web pages, as well as various other activities are simply gathered by Fast and Pretty Search hijacker.

How to remove Fast and Pretty Search 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 usually rather very easy to remove. Usually, they have a separate application that can be spotted in the list of installed programs. As a result of the specific distribution manner of Fast and Pretty Search hijacker, it can be conveniently tracked and deleted by hand. Nonetheless, if you got Fast and Pretty Search in the bundle with a free applications, your system can be contaminated with far more harmful malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d recommend you utilize anti-malware tools to remove the Fast and Pretty Search PUA and all other malware.

You can make use of Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of recognizing and removing various malware, including mentioned hijacker. Nevertheless, serious malware, that can be present on your computer in the specified situation, can disable the Windows antimalware tool by modifying the Group Policies. To stay clear of such circumstances, it is better to utilize GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and eliminate all malicious applications on your PC with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malicious programs, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and directories.

You can observe the detected malicious programs sorted by their possible harm simultaneously with the scan process. But to choose 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 every spotted malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious app. By default, all malware will be moved to quarantine.

Reset browser settings to original ones

To revert your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be counteracted by any virus, hence, you will surely see the result. This option can be located in the Tools tab.

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

Deleteing Fast and Pretty Search 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