Uninstall Safari redirect virus (Virus Removal Tutorial) - Free Removal Instructions
Safari redirect virus aims to exploit weaknesses in your browser
Safari redirect virus may come in different forms as it happens to be a hybrid of adware, browser hijacker, and tech support scam. The key mission of this infection is to direct you to questionable pages. In addition, it might also disturb your browsing session with multiple ads popping up in new tabs.
Surprisingly, while Mac OS users may boast having their devices better protected from browser infection, they may fail to escape this hindrance as the malware specifically targets Safari browser. It is just another sample of its existing counterpart:
- Chrome redirect virus
- Internet Explorer redirect infection
- Bing redirect threat
- Firefox redirect malware
If you suspect that browser has been behaving oddly, detecting the source of the malware might turn out to be a tricky task. The redirect malware does not operate via a certain application, but in fact via web scripts.
In this article, you will get an insight how to determine the infection and eradicate it completely. You may as well benefit from Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego eliminating the browser hijacker. However, when it comes to Safari on macOS, you will likely find Malwarebytes useful.
New forms of Safari redirect infection
After the malware takes a liking of your browser, you may suspect its presence looking for these symptoms:
- Redirections to shopping domains and movie streaming domains with weak SSL certificates
- Occasional commercial ads popping in new tabs
- Offers to install fake Safari updates and browser add-ons
- Redirections to browser-based tech support scams
Observing the latest trends of this malware, you will likely to encounter tech support scams or find yourself in web pages urging you to update the browser.
Elaborating on the latter, you can differentiate between a genuine update suggestion and a fake one simply by inspecting the URL address. Note that official Safari updates do not come from websites with random URL addresses.
Be wary of random pages promoting Adobe Flash Player. If you cannot leave the page and it persistently, shut down via the Activity Monitor. Such behavior is not limited just to Flash Player-themed scams. You may get carried away to a website which demands to install an unknown extension for you to be able to leave.
In addition, you should be especially critical regarding websites and notifications misinforming you about a heavily infected computer. Usually, such alerts contain an indicated phone number or email address – they factors disclosing the deceptive nature of the notifications. In Windows systems, such alerts are presented as the messages issued by Microsoft.
Speaking of safari browser, do not follow the instructions presented in fake Apple notifications which urge you to call the supposed technician within 5 minutes. Some of the Safari-based tech support scams may even alarm you with warnings to ‘disable’ your Mac.
There are also variations of Safari redirect malware which behave much more destructively. You might be directed to a website which harbours exploit kits. They frequently facilitate ransomware assaults, especially those involving Cerber and CryptoMix. 
Safari redirect infection exhibits different behavior: it may come in the form of ads or fake update requests
Another variation of browser hijacker tends to spy on users’ browsing habits. It records information about usually visited web pages and search entries. Such information is highly valued by online advertising companies which process such data and generate more customized commercial ads.
Though such pay-per-click advertising benefits the companies and websites or apps which collect and transfer such data, the third party – users do not get any benefits. Due to such advertising, they might be misguided to insecure domains. Lastly, such marketing also results in cramming users’ inboxes. Note that such spam emails may contain a much more troublesome message – malware. Mobile users should be especially cautious as the redirections take a split of a second.
Ways to escape the malware
Naturally, detecting and terminating Safari redirect virus on a standalone Mac or PC is much troublesome than dealing with it on iOS tablet or iPhone. Nonetheless, you should aim at locating scripts. Scanning your system with malware elimination tool will be useful.
Note that these scripts might dwell in P2P and torrent sharing web pages as well as less troublesome domains – movie streaming sites. Note that clicking on the sponsored content with such headlines ‘everyone is cancelling their Netflix accounts because of this,’’you will not sleep all night because of this game…' might quench your curiosity but cause, later on, much more troublesome after-effects.
Lastly, you should be careful while installing new applications. While the very process slightly differs from installation process in Windows, check whether you can opt for ‘Advanced’ settings and remove the checkmarks from irrelevant add-ons.
Eliminate Safari redirect malware
The best way to remove Safari redirect virus would be to combine two methods – manual and automatic solution. Install the malware elimination tool and scan the system. Below you will find useful tips how to restore default browser settings and complete Safari redirect virus removal. Finally, check whether there are no dubious apps residing on the operating system.
You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove Safari redirect virus, follow these steps:
Uninstall Safari redirect in Windows systems
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Go to Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, open Add/Remove Programs).
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If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, click on Windows icon in the lower left corner of the screen to open Quick Access Menu. Then click Control Panel and select Uninstall a Program.
- Remove Safari redirect and programs related to it
Now, take a look at the list of programs and find Safari redirect or other programs that you do not remember installing. -
Right-click on these programs and select "Uninstall." Then click OK to save changes.
- Delete Safari redirect from Windows shortcuts
Right-click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and click Properties.
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Now, go to Shortcut tab and find Target field. Then delete the URL that is associated with your virus.
Follow the same steps as explained above with all other shortcuts of Internet browsers, including Google Chrome and Internet Explorer. Please check Start Menu, Desktop, and taskbar to find all shortcuts.
Uninstall Safari redirect in Mac OS X system
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Users who use OS X should click on Go button, which can be found at the top left corner of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Safari redirect or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Delete Safari redirect from Internet Explorer (IE)
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Delete suspicious browser add-ons
Launch Internet Explorer, and then open IE by clicking on the Gear icon, which is located at the top right corner of the Internet browser. Then, click Manage Add-ons.
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Manage Add-ons window will appear on your screen. Now, search for Safari redirect and other questionable browser add-ons. Right-click them on each of them and select Disable.
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If virus altered your homepage, change it:
Click the Gear icon at the top right corner of the Internet browser and then click Internet Options. Stay in General section. -
Now, delete malicious URL and enter
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Reset all Internet Explorer settings
Click on Gear icon and then opt for Internet options. Then go to Advanced section. - Click Reset.
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A new window appears, and then you have to tick Delete personal settings and click Reset to finalise Safari redirect removal.
Eliminate Safari redirect virus from Microsoft Edge browser
Reset settings in Microsoft Edge (Technique No.1):
- Open Microsoft Edge browser, then click on More button, which is situated at the top right edge of the screen
- Select Settings from the drop down menu.
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When the Settings panel appears, find Clear browsing data section and hit Choose what to clear button.
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Then mark all components that you wish to delete and after that hit Clear.
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Right-click the Start button (that has Windows logo on it) and choose Task Manager.
- Go to Processes tab and look for Microsoft Edge.
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Right-click on it and select Go to details. If there is no Go to details option, select More details and carry out previous instructions.
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Once Details tab appears, look for entries that contain Microsoft Edge name. Right-click on such individual entries and choose End Task option to terminate them.
Reset Microsoft Edge (Technique No.2):
In case the Technique No.1 did not help you to fix the problem, use advanced Edge reset option.
- Important: you must backup your files before you use these tips
- Locate this folder on your PC:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe. -
Select all items in this folder and right-click with your mouse. Select Delete.
- Click on the Start button (that has Windows Logo on it) and in Search my stuff field, type in window power.
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With the right button of your mouse, click on every entry and select Run as administrator.
- Once you get Admin's rights, Windows PowerShell window should show up shortly. Paste this line:
after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and hit Enter.Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
After completing these steps, Microsoft Edge should be Safari redirect-free.
Delete Safari redirect from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
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Delete suspicious browser extensions
Launch Mozilla Firefox, and then open menu (click a button at the top right corner). Then, go to Add-ons → Extensions.
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Now, locate Safari redirect and other suspicious extensions. Click Remove to eliminate them.
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If virus altered your homepage, change it:
Open Firefox menu (click the button at the top right corner), and go to Options → General. - Delete malicious URL and then enter the address of the website that you want to set as your homepage.
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Click OK to save the changes.
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Reset all Mozilla Firefox settings
Click on the Firefox at the top left corner and then click the question mark. Then, select Troubleshooting Information.
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Reset Firefox to its default state message should appear then. You will see Reset Firefox button. Click this button a few times and finalise Safari redirect removal.
Delete Safari redirect from Google Chrome
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Remove malicious extensions
Launch Google Chrome, and then open menu (click a button at the top right corner). Then, go to Tools → Extensions.
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Now, look for Safari redirect and other suspicious extensions and then click the trash icon to remove them.
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If virus altered your homepage, change it:
Open menu and select Settings. -
Find Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup section and click Set pages.
- An additional window should pop-up. Here, remove dubious URLs and add a new page that you wish to set as a homepage.
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Open Chrome menu and go to Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
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In Search Engines..., configure default search engine settings. Remove untrustworthy ones. We advise you to leave only Google or another reputable website of your choice.
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Reset all Google Chrome settings
Open menu by clicking the button at the top right corner of Google Chrome, and go to Settings. -
Scroll down to find Reset browser settings button. Click on it.
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Click Reset to approve this action and finish Safari redirect removal.
Delete Safari redirect from Safari
Carefully complete the steps to eradicate Safari redirect malware. In case you got misguided to a browser tech support scam, open Activity Monitor, find the process indicating the browser activities and cshuit down the process by clicking Force Quit.
- Delete suspicious browser extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences.
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Here, select Extensions and look for Safari redirect or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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If virus altered your homepage, change it:
Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General. -
Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by Safari redirect, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the "http://" before typing in the address of the page.
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Reset all Safari settings
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari....
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Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Safari redirect removal process.
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