ManualFinderApp

Urgent: ManualFinderApp injects silent browser interference and persistence – remove now to stop redirects and spyware behavior.

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Quick Threat Overview

Threat Type	Browser Hijacker (Trojanized Installer)
Associated Domain	mka3e8[.]com, y2iax5[.]com, portal[.]manualfinder[.]com
Detection Names	ManualFinderApp (unsigned installer), node.exe from temp scripts
Symptoms	Flickering cmd windows, weird wallpaper, deceptive pop‑ups, browser terminations
Damage & Distribution	Silent MSI installs via scheduled JS → node.exe; accesses browser data, registry; infostealer behavior
Danger Level	High – stealthy, persistent, capable of browser/data theft
Removal Tool	SpyHunter

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What ManualFinderApp Changes in Your Browser

ManualFinderApp hides behind a fake installer pretending to be a legitimate utility. Once it’s triggered—often from a bundled “PDF Editor” or “OneStart”—it silently installs via MSI and then hides in scheduled JavaScript tasks that launch through node.exe from temp directories.

Even if your homepage or search engine settings stay untouched, this threat interferes by killing Chromium-based browsers, probing their “Web Data” files, and possibly exfiltrating saved credentials. This behavior happens in the background, often without any visible trace.

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How ManualFinderApp Hijacked Your Homepage

This threat doesn’t always change the homepage in the traditional sense. Instead, it uses persistence tactics to run scripts at system startup, mimicking search behavior or redirecting searches when certain browser conditions are met. In some cases, it may even kill and restart browser sessions to inject rogue parameters or alter trusted settings.

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Will ManualFinderApp Steal My Data?

Yes, it’s designed to. ManualFinderApp checks for installed browsers, reads user profiles, accesses credential stores, and sends system fingerprints to remote servers. It also makes registry queries to detect installed antivirus tools and may adjust behavior to evade detection.

Its backend domains have been linked to other adware and spyware campaigns, which suggests it may be part of a broader malware-as-a-service platform targeting browser data.

Manual Removal Guide for Browser Hijackers

Step 1: Uninstall Suspicious Programs (Windows & Mac)

Before resetting your browser, remove any software that may have installed the hijacker.

Windows (10, 11, 8, 7)

1. Press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl, and hit Enter.
2. Find Unwanted Applications
   • Look for recently installed programs that seem suspicious (e.g., “EasySearch,” “QuickFind,” “Search Manager”).
3. Uninstall
   • Click on the suspicious program > Select Uninstall > Follow on-screen instructions.

Mac (macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, etc.)

1. Open Finder and go to Applications.
2. Look for unknown or unwanted programs.
3. Drag any suspicious apps to the Trash and empty the Trash.

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Step 2: Remove Browser Hijacker from Web Browsers

Google Chrome

1. Reset Chrome to Default Settings
   • Open Chrome > Click ⋮ Menu (top-right corner) > Settings.
   • Scroll down and select Reset settings > Click Restore settings to original defaults > Confirm.
2. Remove Suspicious Extensions
   • Open chrome://extensions/ and remove unknown extensions.
3. Change Default Search Engine & Homepage
   • Go to Settings > Search engine > Select Google or another trusted search engine.
   • Under On Startup, remove any unwanted URLs.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Reset Firefox
   • Click the Menu (☰) > Select Help > Click More Troubleshooting Information > Refresh Firefox.
2. Remove Unknown Extensions
   • Open Add-ons Manager (Ctrl + Shift + A) > Remove any suspicious extensions.
3. Change Search Engine & Homepage
   • Open Settings > Search > Choose Google or another safe search engine.

Microsoft Edge

1. Reset Edge
   • Click ⋮ Menu > Settings > Reset settings > Restore to default values.
2. Remove Unwanted Extensions
   • Open edge://extensions/ and remove any unfamiliar extensions.

Safari (Mac Only)

1. Reset Safari & Clear Data
   • Open Safari > Click Safari (top-left menu) > Select Clear History.
   • Go to Preferences > Privacy > Click Manage Website Data > Remove All.
2. Delete Suspicious Extensions
   • Open Safari > Preferences > Extensions > Remove anything unfamiliar.
3. Change Homepage & Search Engine
   • Open Preferences > General > Change your homepage to a trusted site.
   • In Search, set your search engine to Google or a preferred option.

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Step 3: Check for Unauthorized System Changes

Windows – Check the Hosts File

1. Open Notepad as Administrator (Win + S, type Notepad, right-click, Run as Administrator).
2. Click File > Open and navigate to:makefileCopyEditC:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
3. If you see unknown IPs or URLs at the bottom, remove them.
4. Save changes and restart your computer.

Mac – Check the Hosts File

1. Open Terminal (Command + Space, type Terminal).
2. Type:bashCopyEditsudo nano /etc/hosts
3. Look for suspicious entries and delete them.
4. Press Ctrl + X, then Y, then Enter to save.

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Automatic Removal Using SpyHunter (Windows & Mac)

For those who prefer a quick, hassle-free removal process, using SpyHunter is highly recommended.

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

Click here to download SpyHunter: Download SpyHunter

Step 2: Install & Run SpyHunter

1. Follow the instructions on the SpyHunter Download Page to install the software.
2. Open SpyHunter and run a full system scan.

Step 3: Remove Browser Hijackers

1. SpyHunter will detect all malware and potentially unwanted programs.
2. Click Fix Threats to remove the detected hijacker.
3. Restart your device to complete the cleanup process.

Step 4: Reset Browser Settings (If Necessary)

Even after SpyHunter removes the hijacker, you may need to reset your browser settings manually (refer to browser-specific instructions above).

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Preventing Future Browser Hijacker Infections

• Be cautious when installing free software – opt for Custom Installation to avoid bundled malware.
• Avoid clicking on suspicious ads or pop-ups – they often distribute browser hijackers.
• Keep your operating system and software updated – outdated programs are more vulnerable to infections.
• Use a trusted anti-malware tool like SpyHunter to provide real-time protection against threats.

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Conclusion

ManualFinderApp is a deceptive and dangerous browser hijacker. It poses as a legitimate tool but works behind the scenes to disrupt browser operations, steal data, and maintain long-term control over your system. Removing it quickly is critical to preventing deeper compromises and continued redirects.