What is FreeIncognitoSearch?
According to cyber security specialists, FreeIncognitoSearch is a PUP (potentially unwanted program) that falls under the category of Browser hijackers. Browser hijacker is a kind of software that is created to change the browser settings without the knowledge or permission of the computer user, and it usually redirects the affected system’s browser to some advertisement-related web-pages. A browser hijacker alters the default web browser search engine or start page, generates multiple pop-up ads, installs multiple toolbars on the browser, initiates numerous pop ups and redirects user web searches to its own web-site. If your web-browser has been hijacked by a browser hijacker you may need to complete manual steps or use a malware removal tool to revert changes made to your browsers.
When you’re performing searches using the web browser that has been affected with FreeIncognitoSearch, the search results will be returned from Bing, Yahoo or Google Custom Search. The devs behind FreeIncognitoSearch hijacker are most likely doing this to make advertisement profit from the ads displayed in the search results.
As well as unwanted web browser redirects to feed.freeincognitosearch.com, FreeIncognitoSearch can collect your World Wide Web surfing activity by saving cookie information, Internet Service Provider (ISP), IP addresses, web-browser version and type, web pages visited and URLs visited. Such kind of behavior can lead to serious security problems or user info theft. This is another reason why the browser hijacker should be removed sooner.
Take a deep breath. Learn everything you should know about FreeIncognitoSearch hijacker removal, how to remove hijacker from your browser and computer. Find the best free malware removal tools here!
How can a browser hijacker get on your personal computer
Probably FreeIncognitoSearch hijacker get installed onto your device when you have installed certain free programs like E-Mail checker, PDF creator, video codec, etc. Because, most often, browser hijackers and PUPs may be bundled within the installers from Softonic, Cnet, Soft32, Brothersoft or other similar webpages. So, you should launch any files downloaded from the Internet with great caution! Always carefully read the ‘User agreement’, ‘Software license’ and ‘Terms of use’. In the process of installing a new program, you need to select a ‘Manual’, ‘Advanced’ or ‘Custom’ setup mode to control what components and third-party software to be installed.
Threat Summary
| Name | FreeIncognitoSearch |
| Type | browser hijacker, redirect virus, homepage hijacker, search engine hijacker, PUP |
| Associated domains | feed.freeincognitosearch.com, get.freeincognitosearch.com, install.freeincognitosearch.com, portal.freeincognitosearch.com |
| Affected Browser Settings | search provider, home page, newtab URL |
| Distribution | misleading popup advertisements, fake updaters, free programs setup files |
| Symptoms | Unexpected advertisements appear on web-pages that you are visiting. Your browser is redirected to webpages you did not want. Unwanted program installed without your knowledge. Unwanted web-browser extensions or toolbar keep coming back. Your internet browser settings are being modified without your request. |
| Removal | FreeIncognitoSearch removal guide |
How to remove FreeIncognitoSearch from PC system
There are a few ways that can be used to remove FreeIncognitoSearch. But, not all potentially unwanted apps like this hijacker can be completely removed utilizing only manual methods. In many cases you’re not able to uninstall any hijacker utilizing standard Windows options. In order to delete FreeIncognitoSearch you need complete a few manual steps and run free malware removal tools. Most experienced security researchers states that Zemana Anti-Malware (ZAM), MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) or Hitman Pro utilities are a right choice. These free applications are able to detect and remove FreeIncognitoSearch from your PC system and restore your web browser settings to defaults.
To remove FreeIncognitoSearch, execute the following steps:
- How to manually delete FreeIncognitoSearch
- Automatic Removal of FreeIncognitoSearch
- How to stop FreeIncognitoSearch redirect
How to manually delete FreeIncognitoSearch
Most common browser hijackers may be removed without any antivirus software. The manual browser hijacker removal is step-by-step guidance that will teach you how to delete FreeIncognitoSearch hijacker. If you do not want to remove FreeIncognitoSearch in the manually due to the fact that you are not skilled at computer, then you can run free removal utilities listed below.
Remove questionable apps using Microsoft Windows Control Panel
First, you should try to identify and remove the program that causes the appearance of annoying ads or web-browser redirect, using the ‘Uninstall a program’ which is located in the ‘Control panel’.
Windows 8, 8.1, 10
First, click Windows button
, then click Search 
. Type ‘Control panel’and press Enter as shown on the image below.
After the ‘Control Panel’ opens, press the ‘Uninstall a program’ link under Programs category as shown on the screen below.
You will see the ‘Uninstall a program’ panel like below.
Very carefully look around the entire list of programs installed on your PC system. Most likely, one of them is the FreeIncognitoSearch browser hijacker. If you have many applications installed, you can help simplify the search of harmful programs by sort the list by date of installation. Once you have found a dubious, unwanted or unused program, right click to it, after that click ‘Uninstall’.
Windows XP, Vista, 7
First, press ‘Start’ button and select ‘Control Panel’ at right panel as on the image below.
Once the Windows ‘Control Panel’ opens, you need to press ‘Uninstall a program’ under ‘Programs’ as displayed in the following example.
You will see a list of programs installed on your PC system. We recommend to sort the list by date of installation to quickly find the programs that were installed last. Most probably, it is the FreeIncognitoSearch browser hijacker. If you are in doubt, you can always check the program by doing a search for her name in Google, Yahoo or Bing. After the program which you need to uninstall is found, simply click on its name, and then press ‘Uninstall’ such as the one below.
Remove FreeIncognitoSearch from Chrome
This step will show you how to reset Chrome default search provider, homepage and newtab to default values. This can get rid of FreeIncognitoSearch and fix some browsing issues, especially after hijacker. However, your saved passwords and bookmarks will not be changed, deleted or cleared.
- First, start the Google Chrome and click the Menu icon (icon in the form of three dots).
- It will display the Chrome main menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
- You’ll see the list of installed addons. If the list has the add-on labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following instructions: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Google Chrome menu once again, click the “Settings” menu.
- Next, click “Advanced” link, which located at the bottom of the Settings page.
- On the bottom of the “Advanced settings” page, click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
- The Google Chrome will display the reset settings prompt as on the image above.
- Confirm the internet browser’s reset by clicking on the “Reset” button.
- To learn more, read the article How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.
Remove FreeIncognitoSearch hijacker from Internet Explorer
By resetting Internet Explorer browser you return your web-browser settings to its default state. This is good initial when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by hijacker such as FreeIncognitoSearch.
First, start the IE, click 
) button. Next, click “Internet Options” as displayed on the image below.
In the “Internet Options” screen select the Advanced tab. Next, press Reset button. The IE will open the Reset Internet Explorer settings prompt. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box and press Reset button.
You will now need to reboot your computer for the changes to take effect. It will remove FreeIncognitoSearch hijacker, disable malicious and ad-supported internet browser’s extensions and restore the Microsoft Internet Explorer’s settings like start page, new tab page and search provider by default to default state.
Remove FreeIncognitoSearch from Mozilla Firefox by resetting web browser settings
If your Mozilla Firefox web browser home page has replaced to FreeIncognitoSearch without your permission or an unknown search provider shows results for your search, then it may be time to perform the web browser reset. However, your saved bookmarks and passwords will not be lost. This will not affect your history, passwords, bookmarks, and other saved data.
Click the Menu button (looks like three horizontal lines), and press the blue Help icon located at the bottom of the drop down menu as displayed in the following example.
A small menu will appear, click the “Troubleshooting Information”. On this page, click “Refresh Firefox” button as displayed in the figure below.
Follow the onscreen procedure to return your Firefox internet browser settings to their default values.
Automatic Removal of FreeIncognitoSearch
Many antivirus companies have developed apps that help detect and remove browser hijacker, and thereby revert back web-browsers settings. Below is a a few of the free applications you may want to use. Your computer can have lots of PUPs, adware and hijackers installed at the same time, so we suggest, if any unwanted or malicious application returns after restarting the computer, then run your PC into Safe Mode and run the antimalware utility again.
How to remove FreeIncognitoSearch with Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM)
Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) is a malicious software removal utility created for Windows. This utility will allow you get rid of FreeIncognitoSearch browser hijacker, various types of malware (including adware and PUPs) from your device. It has simple and user friendly interface. While the Zemana Free does its job, your personal computer will run smoothly.
Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your MS Windows desktop or in any other place.
164032 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
After the download is complete, close all applications and windows on your device. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s called Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup like below.
When the install begins, you will see the “Setup wizard” which will allow you set up Zemana on your computer.
Once setup is complete, you will see window as shown below.
Now press the “Scan” button to begin scanning your computer for the FreeIncognitoSearch browser hijacker. This process can take some time, so please be patient. When a malicious software, adware software or potentially unwanted software are detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is complete.
When that process is done, Zemana Free will create a list of unwanted apps and browser hijacker. In order to remove all items, simply click “Next” button.
The Zemana Anti Malware will get rid of FreeIncognitoSearch browser hijacker.
Remove FreeIncognitoSearch hijacker from internet browsers with Hitman Pro
All-in-all, Hitman Pro is a fantastic utility to free your computer from any undesired software such as FreeIncognitoSearch browser hijacker. The Hitman Pro is portable program that meaning, you don’t need to install it to run it. Hitman Pro is compatible with all versions of Microsoft Windows OS from Windows XP to Windows 10. Both 64-bit and 32-bit systems are supported.
- Visit the following page to download HitmanPro. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
- Once the downloading process is finished, launch the HitmanPro, double-click the HitmanPro.exe file.
- If the “User Account Control” prompts, click Yes to continue.
- In the HitmanPro window, click the “Next” . HitmanPro program will scan through the whole computer for the FreeIncognitoSearch hijacker. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your PC system. While the tool is checking, you can see number of objects and files has already scanned.
- After HitmanPro has finished scanning, HitmanPro will show a list of all items detected by the scan. You may remove threats (move to Quarantine) by simply click “Next”. Now, click the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial to remove all malware found.
Delete FreeIncognitoSearch browser hijacker with MalwareBytes
You can remove FreeIncognitoSearch browser hijacker automatically with a help of MalwareBytes. We suggest this free malicious software removal tool because it can easily get rid of browser hijacker, adware, PUPs and toolbars with all their components such as files, folders and registry entries.
- Please go to the link below to download MalwareBytes AntiMalware. Save it on your Windows desktop or in any other place.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware
326385 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
- After the download is finished, close all programs and windows on your computer. Open a directory in which you saved it. Double-click on the icon that’s named MBsetup.
- Select “Personal computer” option and click Install button. Follow the prompts.
- Once installation is done, press the “Scan” button to scan for FreeIncognitoSearch hijacker. This task may take some time, so please be patient. While the utility is scanning, you can see count of objects and files has already scanned.
- When MalwareBytes Anti-Malware is complete scanning your PC system, it will display the Scan Results. Review the report and then press “Quarantine”. Once that process is complete, you can be prompted to reboot your PC.
The following video offers a step-by-step tutorial on how to remove browser hijackers, adware and other malicious software with MalwareBytes.
How to stop FreeIncognitoSearch redirect
To put it simply, you need to use an ad blocker tool (AdGuard, for example). It’ll block and protect you from all annoying websites such as FreeIncognitoSearch, advertisements and pop ups. To be able to do that, the ad-blocking program uses a list of filters. Each filter is a rule that describes a malicious website, an advertising content, a banner and others. The ad blocking program automatically uses these filters, depending on the webpages you’re visiting.
Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you will need to download AdGuard from the following link.
26627 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
After downloading it, launch the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen as displayed on the screen below.
Follow the prompts. Once the installation is done, you will see a window as shown in the figure below.
You can press “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” button to see an quick tutorial that will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you run your personal computer, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted advertisements, block FreeIncognitoSearch redirects, as well as other harmful or misleading webpages. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, that is located on your desktop.
To sum up
After completing the step-by-step instructions outlined above, your PC system should be clean from this browser hijacker and other malware. The Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Chrome will no longer open the FreeIncognitoSearch web-page on startup. Unfortunately, if the instructions does not help you, then you have caught a new hijacker, and then the best way – ask for help.
Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. Try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the browser hijacker.
