Search.searchfastlm.com

It is unlikely that you knew anything about Search.searchfastlm.com before being introduced to it by an installer. That is because this is not a reliable or beneficial search tool that many users would feel inclined to use as their main homepage or default search provider. Although it does look like a normal search engine, and some of the easy-access links it shows can be helpful, it is not a reputable tool. In fact, our research team classifies it as a browser hijacker. So how were you introduced to this hijacker? Did you come across an extension called “Fast Local Maps,” or was it offered via an unfamiliar installer promoting all kinds of suspicious programs? Maybe it was introduced to you via a suspicious pop-up, or maybe it hijacked your browser without your knowledge altogether? Whatever the case might be, it is highly unlikely that you installed the search tool willingly, even if you accepted it yourself. And that is not even the main reason to remove Search.searchfastlm.com from your browser.

Search.todaystopheadlines.co, Search.superspeedtester.com, and Search.searchgstt.com are just a few other hijackers that come from the same family as Search.searchfastlm.com. Of course, all of these threats have differences. For example, all of them are linked to different extensions (their names are usually found on the top-right corner), and they offer different links. The hijacker we are discussing right now is represented via “Fast Local Maps,” and, of course, the links it shows are directions-related. The interface of the suspicious search tool promotes links to Google Maps, Bing Maps, and Gas Prices. Additionally to that, it also promotes Facebook, Amazon, Gmail, and YouTube, all of which are very popular sites. Surprisingly, you can see the exact same interface and links via Search.searchflm.com. This hijacker is also linked to “Fast Local Maps,” which is offered at fastlocalmaps.com. This installer does not work, but chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/fast-local-maps/efakbohijknbkkhmgedlgeakemngnpmg installer works, and so Chrome users can install the extension and, subsequently, the hijacker. The official installer for Search.searchfastlm.com was not found.

Polarity Technologies Ltd. is the company behind Search.searchfastlm.com and the “Fast Local Maps” add-on. It has created hundreds of suspicious extensions and hijackers that are represented via them. While most hijackers are somewhat different, all of them share one big thing in common: They all route to Yahoo Search, and that is the number one reason for deleting them. That is because the hijackers redirect without permission and because the reputable Yahoo Search is used to showcase sponsored content. So, although you are routed to a search engine you are most likely familiar with, the results cannot be trusted. There is another issue: The hijacker might collect and leak private information. As the Privacy Policy informs, personal data might be recorded by accident, but are you willing to take the risk? You should not, especially if Search.searchfastlm.com has taken over your browser without your knowledge or against your wishes. If you want to be free from cookies that might be intrusive, we suggest clearing them once you get rid of the hijacker. Launch the browser and tap Ctrl+Shift+Delete to open a menu via which you will be able to delete the cookies.

Since Search.searchfastlm.com changes the homepage, that is what we focus on as well. Of course, if the hijacker was downloaded along with the aforementioned extension, you need to delete it as well. In fact, you might be unable to modify the homepage without getting rid of the extension first. The guide right below shows how to modify the homepage URL, and if you have no idea how to do that, follow it. What about automatic removal? You can have Search.searchfastlm.com deleted automatically with the help of a legitimate anti-malware tool, and we strongly recommend installing it even if you decide to get rid of the hijacker manually. Why? Well, a reliable anti-malware tool can get rid of other threats; if they exist on your PC. Also, it can protect your operating system and prevent other unwanted and malicious programs from slithering in. Needless to say, that is very important.

Search.searchfastlm.com Removal

Internet Explorer:

1. Uninstall Fast Local Maps via Control Panel.
2. Tap Win+R to launch RUN and enter regedit.exe.
3. In Registry Editor, go to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main.
4. Double-click Start Page and then overwrite the hijacker’s URL. Click OK.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Remove the Fast Local Maps extension.
2. Tap Win+E to launch Explorer and enter %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\ into the bar at the top.
3. Open the folder representing your Firefox profile.
4. Open the file named prefs.js using a text reader and then overwrite the hijacker’s URL within the file.

Google Chrome:

1. Remove the Fast Local Maps extension.
2. Tap Win+E to launch Explorer and enter %LocalAppData%\Google\Chrome\User Data\ into the bar at the top.
3. Open the folder representing your Chrome profile (if profiles do not exist, open the Default folder).
4. Delete the files named Preferences, Secure Preferences, and Web Data.