Funnysearching.com Removal Guide

Funnysearching.com might look like a legitimate search engine, but we assure you that it is nothing of this sort. It is a browser hijacker, and we recommend that you remove it from your browser because of its dishonest distribution methods. We have found that it is distributed via malicious software bundles that were designed to install this hijacker on your computer without your knowledge or consent. Apart from hijacking your browser’s homepage, it will also show shady promotional links in its search results and collect some non-personally identifiable information to customize them. As you can see, it is all about making money, so do not expect it to deliver you a reliable search service.

We have classified Funnysearching.com as a browser hijacker due to its malicious distribution method. Apparently, it comes bundled with shady third-party software bundles. The bundles come in installers that, according to our research, were designed to install their additional content without your knowledge or consent and you cannot deselect their installation. Hence, these installers can install not only this particular hijacker but additional software as well. Also, we want to point out that Funnysearching.com might come with a dedicated browser extension for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer, but, unfortunately, we have yet to find a sample were it would come with a browser extension. In most cases, however, it is distributed without a browser extension.

Browser hijackers are created with the intention of making money from online advertising, and that is what Funnysearching.com does — it advertises. It advertises via its search results and even though it redirects all search queries to Google.com, we do not rule out the possibility of its promotional links redirecting to dangerous or infected websites. Indeed, a website promoted by this hijacker might contain malicious software downloads, or the website itself could be a scam website such as a fake online shopping website.

Our research has shown that the bundled installers were set to install Funnysearching.com as your browser’s homepage address in the case of Internet Explorer, Chrome, and Firefox. However, apart from replacing the homepage, it can also be set as the new tab page, especially in the case of Chrome. The aim of the game is to make you use this browser hijacker as often as possible to generate as much advertising revenue. We have found that this new hijacker is nearly identical to Myluckysites.com, so we have no doubt that both of them come from the same developer that will probably release more of them to make more money.

In order to personalize the search result and include the most relevant promotional links possible, this hijacker was designed to automatically collect anonymous information. This information includes but is not limited to your IP address, approximate geographical location, browsing history, entered search queries, browser type, operating system type and so on. To collect this information, this browser hijacker is known to use browser cookies as web beacons. The collection of this type of information is entirely legitimate, but we do not recommend that you allow this hijacker to obtain it as it will use it to customize the promotional links in an effort to make more money — not to provide you with a more reliable service.

In conclusion, Funnysearching.com is a fake search engine that aims to generate advertising revenue after replacing your browser’s homepage address. Its promotional links, however, are of unknown origin and can pose a risk to your computer’s security. Therefore, we recommend that you remove it from your computer using the instructions we have provided below.

Removal Guide

Google Chrome

1. Hold down Alt+F keys.
2. Select Settings.
3. Click Set pages and enter a new address.
4. Click OK.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Hold down Alt+T keys.
2. Select Internet Options.
3. Enter a new URL in the home page address line.
4. Click OK.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Hold down Alt+T and click Options.
2. Select General.
3. In the Home Page box, enter a new address box.