Search.fo-cmf.com Removal Guide

Everything you know about malware might be contradicted by Search.fo-cmf.com. Most computer users think that malicious programs slither in silently and perform dangerous activity without their permission. While this is true for many dangerous threats, there are others that take on the faces of seemingly harmless apps and programs. The search provider we are discussing in this report might seem completely harmless, but, in reality, it is a threat in disguise. Although it might not be completely accurate to identify it as malware, we classify it as a browser hijacker. Browser hijackers, as you might know, adjust browser settings without your permission, using force, or by tricking you. In this case, most users download this hijacker thinking it is a helpful search provider, and that is not the truth. If you want to learn why you need to delete Search.fo-cmf.com from your browsers, please continue reading.

Search.fo-cmf.com might look to you like a regular search tool. In fact, it might even seem useful because it also displays links to amazon.com, walmart.com, ebay.com, pinterest.com, and many other popular websites directly from its home page. Despite the fact that these links are authentic, you need to keep in mind that this browser hijacker is not trustworthy. For one, the results shown by it after you enter search keywords will push you to Yahoo Search. Although this search provider is widely popular, it can also be exploited to introduce you to sponsored links. Because the search results shown to you look completely harmless – as they are shown to you via a Yahoo engine – you might not even understand interacting with the links that the developer of this hijacker was paid to promote. The same goes for those using Search.youremailnow.com, Search.yourclassifiedscenter.com, Search.yourinterestscenter.com, and other suspicious browser hijackers from the same family. All of these hijackers are associated with specific extensions that users cannot install unless they agree to have their homepage and default search providers modified. Were you pushed into installing Search.fo-cmf.com when downloading Localhost?

Another disconcerting thing about Search.fo-cmf.com is that it spies on its users, and it allows third-party partners to spy on them as well. This is done silently using web cookies and other inconspicuous tracking technologies that you might be unaware of. Although authentic and legitimate tools use tracking technologies as well, you need to understand that this is a security backdoor. If the parties associated with the hijacker are malicious, they could use this backdoor to collect personal data, as well as information (e.g., browsing history) that could be used to design more effective scams. Of course, we do not claim that every single party involved with this hijacker is malicious, but because these parties are not disclosed, we need to consider the worst case scenario as well. If other unreliable programs have slithered in along with this hijacker, you also need to consider all “silent” risks. Do you know if the software bundled with the hijacker is dangerous or malicious? In some cases, it is very difficult to figure this out, and so we recommend using a malware scanner that will detect every single threat.

Eliminating unwanted and unreliable programs from your PC is important to your virtual security. Should you remove Search.fo-cmf.com from your browsers? We recommend that you do because this hijacker, although seemingly harmless, is a threat to your virtual security. This hijacker can expose you to unpredictable search results, and the data-tracking technologies spying on you could be exploited by unknown parties. Overall, removing this hijacker is the best thing you can do, and we propose following the guide below. This guide might seem difficult to follow, but we can assure you that it is not at all complicated. Simply follow the instructions one step at a time, and the unwanted hijacker will be gone soon. Of course, you cannot forget about potentially remaining threats as well as your overall virtual security. To solve both of these problems, utilize reliable anti-malware software.

How to delete Search.fo-cmf.com

Internet Explorer:

1. Tap Win+R keys simultaneously to launch RUN.
2. Enter regedit.exe and click OK for the Registry Editor window to appear.
3. Move to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main.
4. Right-click and Modify the value called Start Page.
5. Replace the URL of the hijacker in the value data box and click OK.
6. Navigate to HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{0633EE93-D776-472f-A0FF-E1416B8B2E3A}.
7. Right-click and Modifythese values (modify the hijacker URLs in the value data boxes):
   • FaviconURL
   • FaviconURLFallback
   • TopResultURL
   • URL REG_SZ

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Launch Firefox and tap Ctrl+Shift+A to access the Add-ons Manager.
2. In the Extensions menu Remove the unwanted add-on.
3. Tap Win+E keys simultaneously to launch Explorer.
4. Enter %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\ into the address bar at the top.
5. Open the {unique Firefox profile name} folder.
6. Right-click the file called prefs.js file and choose to open it with Notepad.
7. Delete the user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://search.fo-cmf.com"); string and save the file.

Google Chrome:

1. Launch Chrome, tap Alt+F, choose More tools, and click Extensions.
2. Click the trash bin button next to the unwanted add-on and select Remove.
3. Tap Win+E keys simultaneously to launch Explorer.
4. Enter %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\ (for Windows XP users – %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\) into the address bar at the top.
5. Open the Default folder (or your Chrome Profile folder).
6. Delete these files: Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data.