In this article, we will talk about Search.getfitnow.co, a shady search engine that can replace your browser’s homepage address if you click malicious pop-ups shown by websites or adware. We advise that you remove this search engine from your browser because its ad-supported search results can feature promoted links that redirect to infected websites. It can subject you to unreliable shady content and promote various scam websites. Therefore, we do not recommend that you use it. If you are not convinced, we invite you to read this whole article and come to your conclusion.
Let us begin our analysis with where this search engine comes from. We did not label it a browser hijacker because it is not distributed as one. Our research has revealed that it is being circulated through software bundles that tend to feature malicious software. However, the difference between a typical browser hijacker and Search.getfitnow.co is that you can uncheck its installation when configuring the installation wizard. You can encounter software bundles that feature this hijacker if you frequent shady freeware sites and websites that distribute pirated software. Search.getfitnow.co is promoted via pop-ups that frequently appear on them. Apart from that, this search engine is featured on the Chrome Web Store and can also be downloaded from its dedicated distribution website at Getfitnow.co.
Our research has revealed that Search.getfitnow.co was created by Polarity Technologies LTD, a company that specialized in creating browser hijackers, but recently we have seen it release search engines that are not browser hijackers. These search engines include Polarisearch.com, Search.searchsterjosoft.com. Nevertheless, this new search engine can still pose a threat to your computer’s security because it shows ad-supported search results that can promote malicious links.
Search.getfitnow.co comes with a browser extension called GetFitNow that is compatible with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer. It is set to replace their homepage address and, in the case of Google Chrome, the new tab page as well. The purpose for doing so is making you use Search.getfitnow.co as your primary search engine. Now, while you can use it as a regular search engine, it must be said that it redirects all entered search queries to a modified Yahoo search engine that features ad-supported search results. Because it comes from Polarity Technologies, there is a reason to believe that it can feature malicious links that can redirect you to scam websites or infect your PC with malware.
In closing, Search.getfitnow.co is an unreliable search engine that can jeopardize your computer’s security and your privacy by showing you links to scam websites and sites that feature malware downloads that may include spyware, ransomware, and so on. While it is malicious, it is not a browser hijacker, so you can deselect its installation when it is distributed via software bundles. However, if you got it accidentally, we encourage you to replace it and keep your PC malware-free. You can use the removal guide below that will tell you how to remove GetFitNow which will replace the homepage.
Windows XP
Windows 7 and Vista
Windows 8 and 8.1
Windows 10
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox