Safesurfs.com. How to delete? (Removal tutorial)
The most threatening features of Safesurfs.com virus
Safesurfs.com is a browser hijacker that was noticed infecting Internet browsers for the first time last year. Since then, this virus hasn’t stopped its activity and can be called one of the most aggressive browser hijackers. The virus gets into a computer without asking permission and modifies specific settings on each of Internet browsers. It can infect four popular browsers: Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari. As soon as this job is finished, safesurfs.com starts providing altered search results filled with unreliable content. The majority of these search results are sponsored websites, so, by clicking one of these links, you might be redirected to the malicious site and get your computer infected. If you do not want to put your PC at risk, you should not open these links. Keep in mind that the developers of this potentially unwanted program are interested only in advertising and generating traffic to their sites. While we can’t say that Safesurfs.com intentionally promotes malicious websites, the problem that its owners do not care about the credibility of promoted third parties persists. The only way to keep your PC safe and reset your browsers to previous settings is to remove Safesurfs.com virus from your computer. For that you can use Reimage.
Nevertheless, one of the most unpleasant features of this virus is its capability to track its users. This activity is described in the program’s Privacy Policy but we are almost sure that the most of safesurfs.com users haven’t read it yet because of two reasons. Firstly, this potentially unwanted program was installed on their computers without users’ permission. Secondly – the majority of users do not read the Privacy Policy or Terms of Agreement delivered by software developers in general. Unfortunately, but you must realize that Safesurfs.com hijack can result in leakage of various data, such as your computer’s IP address, its geolocation, your search terms, mostly visited websites, viewed pages, search queries, etc. Usually, this information is used for marketing purposes. However, there is a possibility that developers will share it with third parties that will use it for unfair purposes. If you don’t want to let suspicious people get information about you, you should consider Safesurfs.com removal from your computer.
How did this virus infiltrate my computer?
Safesurfs.com redirect problem might occur right after downloading free software from the internet. For tricking users into installing this hijacker on their computers, its developers use marketing method called ‘bundling.’ It requires combining this potentially unwanted program with other programs as optional component. The majority of computer users do not pay enough attention to software installation process. For this reason, they let PUPs get into computer’s system without even noticing this. To protect your computer from viruses or potentially unwanted programs, you have to follow every installation step. Users often apply ‘Default’ installation settings. However, you should switch to ‘Advanced’ or ‘Custom’ installation option, read the Privacy Policy, Terms of Agreement, and other information. If you find suspicious statements, you should cancel the installation of the freeware and look for another program.
Safesurfs.com removal
Removing potentially unwanted programs might be a tricky task. For this reason, we recommend you to remove safesurfs.com virus from your computer automatically by using reliable anti-spyware software. It deletes PUPs with all their files and registry data. Besides, it will protect you from similar intruders in the future. However, not all users want to remove the virus with additional software. If you are one of those who can’t even think about installation of additional software on your computer, you can also consider manual SafeSurfs.com removal option. For that, we provided a step-by-step guide bellow.
If you want to uninstall Safesurfs.com automatically, you can use one of these programs: Reimage, Plumbytes Anti-MalwareWebroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus, Malwarebytes Anti Malware Computer security experts recommend these programs because they can detect and remove potentially unwanted programs and viruses from your computer, including all dangerous and malicious components related to them. Besides, these programs guarantee immediate and ongoing system protection.
To remove Safesurfs.com, follow these steps:
Uninstall Safesurfs.com 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 Safesurfs.com and programs related to it
Now, take a look at the list of programs and find Safesurfs.com or other programs that you do not remember installing. -
Right-click on these programs and select "Uninstall." Then click OK to save changes.
- Delete Safesurfs.com 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.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariUninstall Safesurfs.com 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 Safesurfs.com or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Delete Safesurfs.com 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 Safesurfs.com 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 Safesurfs.com removal.
Delete Safesurfs.com from Microsoft Edge
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 Safesurfs.com-free.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariDelete Safesurfs.com 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 Safesurfs.com 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 Safesurfs.com removal.
Delete Safesurfs.com 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 Safesurfs.com 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 Safesurfs.com removal.
Delete Safesurfs.com from Safari
- 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 Safesurfs.com 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 Safesurfs.com, 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 Safesurfs.com removal process.
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