How To Remove Key-Find.com Redirect (Virus Removal Guide)

Key-Find.com is a browser hijacker that it will change the homepage and search engine for your web browser to http://key-find.com.

The Key-Find.com redirect is caused by the “Key Find” browser hijacker which is installed by the users, whether that is knowingly or not. Often, this type of program is offered through advertisements or bundled with other software, leaving the user puzzled where this software came from.
Browser hijackers are a type of malware created for the purpose of modifying Internet browser settings without the user’s knowledge or consent.

The Key-Find.com browser hijacker will change your browser search provider to https://key-find.com, which will redirect to search result pages from http://search.yahoo.com. This is most likely done to generate advertising revenue by using Yahoo Search for its search results.

When the Key-Find.com browser hijacker is installed on a PC, common symptoms include:

Changing the web browser’s default homepage to Key-Find New Tab
Changing the browser’s search provider, built-in search box to http://key-find.com
Ability to modify the ‘new tab’ functionality to launch the modified search portal page
Loads into the web browser via an extension or add-on

You should always pay attention when installing software because often, a software installer includes optional installs, such as this Key-Find.com browser hijacker. Be very careful what you agree to install.
Always opt for the custom installation and deselect anything that is not familiar, especially optional software that you never wanted to download and install in the first place. It goes without saying that you should not install software that you don’t trust.

The below instructions are for Windows users, however we also have an Android Guide and a macOS Guide which should help clean up your device.

How to remove Key-Find.com redirect (Virus Removal Guide)

This malware removal guide may appear overwhelming due to the amount of the steps and numerous programs that are being used. We have only written it this way to provide clear, detailed, and easy to understand instructions that anyone can use to remove malware for free.
Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubt at any point, STOP and ask for our assistance.

To remove the Key-Find.com redirect, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Uninstall Key Find from Windows
STEP 2: Use Malwarebytes to remove the Key-Find.com redirect
STEP 3: Use HitmanPro to scan for malware and unwanted programs
(OPTIONAL) STEP 4: Reset the browser settings to remove Key-Find.com
(OPTIONAL) STEP 5: Double-check for malicious programs with Zemana AntiMalware

STEP 1 : Uninstall Key Find from Windows

In this first step, we will try to identify and remove any malicious program that might be installed on your computer.

Go to “Programs and Features”.
Windows 10
1. On the Start menu, type Control Panel in the search box and select “Control Panel” from the results.
2. When the “Control Panel” window opens click on the “Uninstall a program” option under “Programs” category.
Windows 8
Right-click on the Start button in the lower-left corner and select “Programs and Features”. This will take you directly to your list of installed programs.
- If you can’t find the Programs and Features in the Start menu, type “programs and features” into the search bar at the bottom of the Start window, then click the “Programs and Features” result.
- If you don’t have a Start button, you are likely running Windows 8 instead of Windows 8.1. Press the Windows key + X to open the menu instead and select “Programs and Features”.
Windows 7
1. Click on Start, then select “Control Panel”.Start by clicking on the Start button, then click on “Control Panel”.
  
  If you don’t see “Control Panel” here, type control panel into the search bar at the bottom of the Start window, then click the “Control Panel” result.
2. When the “Control Panel” appears, click on “Uninstall a Program” from the Programs category.
Find the malicious program and uninstall it.

The “Programs and Features” screen will be displayed with a list of all the programs installed on your PC. Scroll through the list until you find the “Key Find” program, then click to highlight it, then click the “Uninstall” button that appears on the top toolbar.

The malicious program may have a different name on your computer. If you cannot find any malicious programs on your PC, you can skip to the next step
Follow the on-screen prompts to uninstall the program.

In the next message box, confirm the uninstall process by clicking on Yes, then follow the prompts to uninstall the program. Make sure to read all of the prompts carefully, because some malicious programs try to sneak things in hoping that you won’t read closely.

If you are having issues while trying to uninstall a program, you can use Revo Uninstaller Free to completely remove an unwanted program from your PC.

STEP 2: Use Malwarebytes to remove the Key-Find.com redirect

Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and most used anti-malware software for Windows, and for good reasons. It is able to destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss, without costing you absolutely nothing. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.

The first time you install Malwarebytes, you’re given a free 14-day trial of the premium edition, which includes preventative tools like real-time scanning and specific protection from ransomware. After two weeks, it automatically reverts to the basic free version that will detect and clean up malware infections only when you run a scan. It is important to note that Malwarebytes will run alongside antivirus software without conflicts.

Download Malwarebytes.

You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.

MALWAREBYTES DOWNLOAD LINK
(The above link open a new page from where you can download Malwarebytes)
Double-click on the Malwarebytes setup file.

When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the mb3-setup-consumer-x.x.x.xxxx.exe file to install Malwarebytes on your PC. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.

You may be presented with an User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow Malwarebytes to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.

When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through the installation process. To install Malwarebytes on your PC, click on the “Agree and Install” button.
Click on “Scan Now”.

Once installed, Malwarebytes will automatically start and update the antivirus database. To perform a system scan, click on the “Scan Now” button.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.

Malwarebytes will now start scanning your computer for adware and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine Selected”.

When the scan has completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malicious programs that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine Selected” button.
Reboot your computer.

Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files and registry keys that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.

When the malware removal process is complete, you can close Malwarebytes and continue with the rest of the instructions.

STEP 3: Use HitmanPro to scan for malware and unwanted programs

HitmanPro is a second opinion scanner that takes a unique cloud-based approach to malware scanning. HitmanPro scans the behavior of active files and also files in locations where malware normally resides for suspicious activity. If it finds a suspicious file that’s not already known, HitmanPro sends it to their clouds to be scanned by two of the best antivirus engines today, which are Bitdefender and Kaspersky.

Although HitmanPro is shareware and costs $24.95 for 1 year on 1 PC, there is actually no limit in scanning. The limitation only kicks in when there is a need to remove or quarantine detected malware by HitmanPro on your system and by then, you can activate the one time 30 day trial to enable the clean up.

Download HitmanPro.

You can download HitmanPro by clicking the link below.

HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK
(The above link will open a new web page from where you can download HitmanPro)
Install HitmanPro.

When HitmanPro has finished downloading, double-click on “hitmanpro.exe” (for 32-bit versions of Windows) or “hitmanpro_x64.exe” (for 64-bit versions of Windows) to install this program on your PC. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.

You may be presented with an User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow HitmanPro to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
Follow the on-screen prompts.

When HitmanPro starts you will be presented with the start screen as shown below. Click on the “Next” button to perform a system scan.
Wait for the HitmanPro scan to complete.

HitmanPro will now begin to scan your computer for malicious programs. This process will take a few minutes.
Click on “Next”.

When HitmanPro has finished the scan, it will display a list of all the malware that the program has found. Click on the “Next” button to remove the malicious programs.
Click on “Activate free license”.

Click on the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial and remove all the malicious files from your PC.

When the process is complete, you can close HitmanPro and continue with the rest of the instructions.

(OPTIONAL) STEP 4: Reset the browser settings to their original defaults

If your PC is being redirected to the Key-Find.com site, we will need to reset the web browser settings to their original defaults. This step should be performed only if your issues have not been solved by the previous steps.

Google Chrome

To remove Key-Find.com redirect from Google Chrome, we will need to reset your browser to its default settings. Resetting your browser settings will reset the unwanted changes caused by installing other programs. However, your saved bookmarks and passwords will not be cleared or changed.

Click on the three dots at the top right and click “Settings”.

Click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three dots at the top right corner. Now click on the menu option labeled Settings as shown by the arrow in the picture below, which will open the basic settings screen.
At the bottom, click “Advanced”.

Chrome’s “Settings” should now be displayed in a new tab or window, depending on your configuration. Next, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the “Advanced” link (as seen in the below example).
Under the section “Reset,” click “Reset”.

Chrome’s advanced settings should now be displayed. Scroll down until the “Reset and clean up” section is visible, as shown in the example below. Next, click on the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
Confirm by clicking “Reset”.

A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue on with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, click on the “Reset Settings” button.

Mozilla Firefox

To remove Key-Find.com redirect from Firefox, we will need to reset your browser to its default settings. The reset feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks, passwords, web form auto-fill information, browsing history and open tabs.

Go to the “Help” menu.

Click on Firefox’s main menu button, represented by three horizontal lines. When the drop-down menu appears, select the option labeled “Help“.
Click “Troubleshooting Information”.

From the Help menu, click on “Troubleshooting Information“.

If you’re unable to access the “Help” menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting information page.
Click on “Refresh Firefox”

Click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page.
Confirm.

To continue, click on the “Refresh Firefox” button in the new confirmation window that opens.
Click on “Finish”.

Firefox will close itself and will revert to its default settings. When it’s done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click on the “Finish“.

Your old Firefox profile will be placed on your desktop in a folder named “Old Firefox Data“. If the reset didn’t fix your problem you can restore some of the information not saved by copying files to the new profile that was created. If you don’t need this folder any longer, you should delete it as it contains sensitive information.

Internet Explorer

You can reset Internet Explorer settings to return them to the state they were in when Internet Explorer was first installed on your PC.

Go to “Internet Options”.

Open Internet Explorer, click on the gear icon in the upper right part of your browser, then select “Internet Options“.
Select the “Advanced” tab, then click “Reset”

In the “Internet Options” dialog box, select the “Advanced” tab, then click on the “Reset” button.
Click on “Reset”.

In the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” section, select the “Delete personal settings” check box, then click on “Reset” button.
Click on “Close”.

When Internet Explorer has completed its task, click on the “Close” button in the confirmation dialogue box.
You will now need to close your browser, and then you can open Internet Explorer again.

Microsoft Edge

To remove Key-Find.com redirect from Microsoft Edge, we will need to reset your browser to its default settings. Starting with Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709), users can repair or reset the Microsoft Edge settings.

Go to “Apps and Features”.

Right-click on the Start button in the lower-left corner and select “Apps and Features“. This will take you directly to your list of installed programs.
Find Microsoft Edge, then select “Advanced Options”.

The “App and Features” screen will be displayed with a list of all the programs installed on your PC. Scroll through the list until you find “Microsoft Edge”, click it, and then click on the “Advanced options” link.
Click on “Reset”.

The “Advanced Options” screen will now be displayed. Scroll down until the “Reset” section is visible, as shown in the example below. Next, click on the “Reset” button.

(OPTIONAL) STEP 5: Double-check for malicious programs with Zemana AntiMalware Free

Zemana AntiMalware is a free popular on-demand antivirus scanner which can detect and remove malware that even the most well-known anti-virus and anti-malware applications fail to find.
While the Malwarebytes and HitmanPro scans are more than enough, we’re recommending Zemana AntiMalware to users who still have malware related issues or just want make sure their PC is 100% clean.

This step should be performed only if your issues have not been solved by the previous steps.

Download Zemana AntiMalware.

You can download Zemana AntiMalware Free by clicking the link below.

ZEMANA ANTIMALWARE DOWNLOAD LINK
(The above link will open a new web page from where you can download Zemana AntiMalware)
Double-click on the setup file.

Double-click on the file named “Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup.exe” to start the installation of Zemana AntiMalware. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.

You may be presented with a User Account Control dialog asking you if you want to run this file. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
Install Zemana AntiMalware Free.

Click on the “Next” button to install Zemana AntiMalware on your PC. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the install process.

When you reach the “Select Additional Tasks” screen, you need to opt-out the “Enable Real Time Protection” option, then click on the “Next” button.
Click on “Scan”.

When Zemana AntiMalware will start, click on the “Scan” button to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Zemana AntiMalware scan to complete.

Zemana AntiMalware will now scan your PC for malicious files. This process can take a few minutes.
Click on “Next”.

When Zemana AntiMalware has finished it will display a list of all the malware that the program found. Click on the “Next” button to remove the malicious files from your computer.
Restart your PC.

When the malware removal process is complete, Zemana AntiMalware may need to restart your computer. Click on the “Reebot” button to reset your PC.

Your computer should now be free of the Key-Find.com redirect. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove Key-Find.com redirect from your browser, please do one of the following:

Run a system scan with Emsisoft Emergency Kit
Ask for help in our Malware Removal Assistance for Windows forum.

How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.

Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.

Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.

A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.

Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.

Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.

Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.

Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.

Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.

To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.

27 thoughts on “How to remove Key-Find.com redirect (Virus Removal Guide)”

Stelian Pilici

April 10, 2015 at 08:21

Hello Ivon,
The first two step should be enough, however I would recommend that you go through all the steps to check your computer for other type of malware. In the end, it’s really up to you! : )
Ivon Septriyana

April 10, 2015 at 08:18

Hi Stelian, if It has gone when I have done the step 2, should I follow all until the last step? I feel sooooo relieved when it’s back to normal but I am still scared that it will come up again if I dont follow all steps
muazzam

March 9, 2015 at 02:45

thanks alot
Stelian Pilici

February 27, 2015 at 07:27

Hello,
Can you please follow STEP 1 from this guide: http://malwaretips.com/blogs/the-proxy-server-is-refusing-connections-removal/#proxy
Heber Solis

February 24, 2015 at 05:19

Thanks! This malware is so annoying and it was almost imposible to remove from my computer :s
Hero Of Kvatch

February 22, 2015 at 03:51

Dude you are so amazing, thank you so much :) i am so grateful
Schmiznurf

February 20, 2015 at 22:24

Thank you so much for this guide, it got rid of everything and all is back to normal thanks to you. I owe you a beer.
Sabrina Caixeta de Oliveira

February 20, 2015 at 01:46

Thank you very much! Finally I managed to clean up chrome and Firefox. Chrome was more difficult and I’ve only deleted key-find on the last step. Thanks, thanks, thanks!
Stelian Pilici

February 13, 2015 at 09:59

Thank you David!! Have a great day, and stay safe! If you ever have malware issues, you can always come here!
DavidH9000

February 13, 2015 at 09:52

Thank you so much! I have NO idea how anyone can have THAT much
knowledge and still be human!!!! Appears to have cleaned it all up now. Many thanks again.

DavidH
Stelian Pilici

February 13, 2015 at 08:18

Hello David,
Lets try to fix your PC:
1.Please download ZOEK by Smeenk and save it to your desktop (preferred version is the *.exe one) from here: http://hijackthis.nl/smeenk/

2. Right-click on Zoek icon and select “Run as Administrator” to start the tool.
Wait patiently until the main console will appear, it may take a minute or two.
3. In the main box please paste in the following script (between the lines):
—————————————————–
createsrpoint;
autoclean;
emptyalltemp;
ipconfig /flushdns;b
——————————————————-
4.Make sure that Scan All Users option is checked.
5. Push Run Script and wait patiently. The scan may take a couple of minutes.
When this program will finish the clean-up it will ask you to restart your computer.

Let me know if this fixed your issue or not!
DavidH9000

February 13, 2015 at 06:52

I managed to clean up chrome which is my main brower – THANKS!!!! but Internet explorer STILL opens with it despiter following the instruction in that section TWICE. I am hoping a reboot will kill it, but not confidant.
teacher826

February 3, 2015 at 07:49

thank you and I will donate to your website maintenance fund!!!!!!!!
Uday Kumar

January 31, 2015 at 05:52

thank you sir,
Shiranui

January 4, 2015 at 12:51

Thanks, your posting really great. Finally i can delete that annoying home page from my browser. once again thanks!
Dr.Ramachandran

December 17, 2014 at 13:10

Very helpful… Thanks a lot!!
AmitYadav

December 15, 2014 at 06:02

Thanks for writing this great article, its really work.
grain172

December 13, 2014 at 05:36

I tried system restore and it seems to work just fine, nice guide Btw, cheers
Manoj

November 27, 2014 at 12:36

thanks a lot…..It worked
Diana

April 15, 2014 at 16:55

THANK YOU!! My computer was brand new!!! I’m talking straight out of the box! I tried to download Firefox but got messed up with a misleading site. I thought I was going to have to pay a fortune to get it fixed!
You are wonderful!!! :)
ItachiUchiha

April 9, 2014 at 13:23

Amazing article! Thanks!
Alex

April 8, 2014 at 22:38

You’re the man
Kourtney

April 7, 2014 at 22:45

omg thank you, without you i wouldn’t know what to do! i literally cried worrying, you saved me from having to pay, thanks again :)
dustin

April 3, 2014 at 08:03

oh my goodness! you are a life saver
Marcel P.

April 1, 2014 at 08:10

Stunning!!! KeyFind is such a cretin thing. Drove me nuts. Ty! Ty! Ty!
James Michael Weatherford Jr.

March 30, 2014 at 00:30

Thank you thank you thank you! I could kiss your feet for this! I had began combat this virus using Malwarebytes and even searching for, and eradicating every trace if it in the registry but I kept coming up short. Thanks to this article, that virus is deader than dead.
Aisha Arid

March 27, 2014 at 00:47

Thank you! You have no idea how much your article made my day! The key-find.com viruses was making my computer unusable. I have been fighting it all week by uninstalling anything I couldn’t remember installing and scanning with SpyBot but nothing was working. In a last, frustrated attempt to get rid of it, I googled how and your article popped up. What I had been trying to get rid of for the past week was completely eradicated from my computer in minutes, thanks to you. I seriously hope you keep up the amazing work and whenever I have spare money, I’ll be sure to donate to your site every chance I get. Thank you again!!