Do you know what Free Download Seeker is?
Free Download Seeker is introduced as an extension that supposedly can help you navigate between different search engines with a click of a button. The official download page, freedownloadsseeker.com, is no longer active, but this extension is still available for Google Chrome users from the Chrome web store. Based on the information presented on this page, we know that it was last updated in May of 2015. Additionally, this page includes links to the Privacy Policy, EULA, and Uninstall pages, none of which work. In fact, it is surprising that this app has not been taken down already. Although official versions for Firefox and Internet Explorer browsers do not seem to exist, our research team warns that analogous extensions could be distributed for different browsers by unfamiliar parties. More about this, in the report. Whichever of your web browsers this extension was installed onto, we advise deleting it. Continue reading if you have no idea why or how to remove Free Download Seeker.
Although the official installer does not exist, Free Download Seeker is still spread via the Chrome store at chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/free-download-seeker/lgokcfonmlijjbongjidgmpcmepjpanf, and some users might find it bundled by third-party installers. If you install this program from the Chrome web store, you will be warned that it can modify the data on the websites visited and change your search tools. Free Download Seeker supposedly replaces the homepage with h.searchie.net, the search engine with serchie.net, and the start page with s.searchie.net. Now, if this extension is introduced to you via a third-party installer, this data could be concealed from you, and your regular search tools could be modified without your agreement. In either case, we classify this search tool as a browser hijacker. At the moment, despite the search tools listed, the add-on comes bundled with search.strtpoint.com, a search tool that shows the search results using the Yahoo search engine. Needless to say, this is not the tool you have expected, and this is one of the reasons you cannot trust this suspicious extension. Although it allows you switching between download.cnet.com, filehippo.com, google.com, bing.com, and yahoo.com, it is still unreliable.
Free Download Seeker screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
According to our researchers, Free Download Seeker is an advertising-supported program because it injects ads when you surf the web. This adware determines you location and checks the websites you visit to show the most attractive offers for you, and this is likely to increase the chances of you interacting with them. Well, the advertisers working with this program are unknown, which makes these intentions unknown as well. Unfortunately, harmless-looking ad-injecting programs are often exploited by clandestine schemers and malware distributors. Keep in mind that scams can be cleverly disguised, and you might fall into a trap without even realizing it, especially if you act carelessly, without suspecting a danger. Due to the risk of encountering misleading offers designed by cyber criminals, we do not recommend interacting with the ads injected by Free Download Seeker. Note that this adware can also show ads via the search results shown to you.
It is a good idea to delete Free Download Seeker, and you can do it manually (see the guide below) or using automated malware detection and removal software. Although it might be fun and educational to follow the manual removal option, do not forget that you also need to employ anti-malware software to prevent malicious infections from attacking your PC in the future. If you understand the importance of using such software, you can skip the manual removal altogether. You should be particularly careful when it comes to cleaning your PC if other threats are active. Note that the guide below is very simple, and there are tons of infections that are much more difficult to tame and get rid of.
Remove Free Download Seeker
- Launch Explorer by simultaneously tapping Win+E keys on the keyboard.
- Type %PROGRAMFILES% into the address bar and Delete the Free Download Seeker folder (if it is not located in that directory, check %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%).
- Enter %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\ (users on Windows XP enter %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data) into the address bar.
- Open the {Default/Profile name} folder and move to Extensions.
- Right-click and Delete the lgokcfonmlijjbongjidgmpcmepjpanf folder.
In non-techie terms:
Free Download Seeker is not a trusted program, and you need to get rid of it as soon as possible. If you are having issues eliminating this advertising-supported program from your computer, you can start a discussion below to ask your questions. Although the removal of this adware is fairly simple, it could have entered your PC along with other suspicious programs that might be more complex. Due to this, the manual removal is not always the best option. Instead, utilize reliable anti-malware software that will continue protecting you even after all threats are erased. See the guide below? This one is for emergencies if malware active on your PC paralyses it, and, hopefully, you will not need to get into it.