Browse Secure add-on harvests personal information from Facebook and LinkedIn

Browse-Secure is dangerous Google Chrome extension that was available on Chrome Web Store for a while. This malicious extension promised to secure browsing sessions, but in fact, it stole information from user’s LinkedIn and Facebook accounts, including full name, contact details, and address.
Browser add-on is no longer available in Chrome store, but it is still being spread via compromised sites that display fake security alerts and offers to download Browse Secure to make browsing the web safe again. However, security experts warn that installation of add-ons promoted in such sites might lead to privacy-related issues.
The description of the Browse Secure browser hijacker promises to protect user’s online activities. Once it is installed on the device, it alters browser’s settings and might set modified Google’s startup page that includes a lock icon in the search box.
After entering queries into the search box, it initiates redirect to http://www.browse-secure.com/search?a=[extension_id]&q=[search_query] and lands on Google search. This activity allows tracking user’s interests and search keywords. This information is most likely to be used for marketing reasons.
Shady search redirect tendencies are not the main issue with the potentially unwnated program (PUP). The Browse-Secure virus was designed to steal personal information about users provided on Facebook and LinkedIn. After the installation, this malicious extension connects to the backend server in order to get needed rules to extract information from these links:
- facebook.com/me/about
- facebook.com/me/about?section=contact-info
- facebook.com/settings
- facebook.com/settings?tab=mobile
- linkedin.com/psettings/email
- linkedin.com/profile/edit-basic-info
Browse Secure virus steals the full name of a person, date of birth, gender, address, email address, and mobile number. Aggregated information is sent to the server and developers of the harmful extension. Currently, there is no information how this information is used. However, security experts assume that it might be needed for phishing attacks.
Users are advised to remove Browse-Secure from Chrome and computer immediately. This add-on puts your privacy at risk and might make your computer vulnerable. We highly recommend eliminating it with FortectIntego or another anti-malware. This method is especially useful if the hijacker was installed without your knowledge.
However, manual Browse-Secure removal method is available too. However, it’s not enough to uninstall add-on from Chrome. You will need to investigate the system and remove hijacker or spyware-related entries by following the guide below.

Browse-Secure.com site listed as insecure and harmful website
While the add-on was available in Chrome store, it was linked to Browse-Secure.com website. However, trying to reach this domain now gives a security warning. Chrome and Firefox warn about a deceptive site that contains malicious content. However, if you bypass this warning, you will end up on leadgen.chupashop.com website that offers to take Amazon’s gift card.[1]
But first, users are asked to enter their email address and confirm that they agree with Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy and be positive about sharing their contact details with “carefully selected sponsors who may contact” them. Undoubtedly, agreeing with such statements is not a good idea.
However, after installation of malicious add-on, other promotional sites might provide their shady deals too. It goes without saying that you should not accept any of them and just remove Browse Secure to avoid security risks.
Tips to spot malicious browser extension
The Browse-Secure malware was available on the official Chrome Web Store. Unfortunately, criminals often manage to bypass the legit store and include their harmful apps.[2] Security experts from Los Virus[3] suggest following these security tips before downloading any browser extensions:
- do not download extensions from websites that asks to install the add-on in order to leave;
- do not install apps from security pop-ups;
- always use legit stores;
- read Terms of Agreements, Privacy Policy and other related information about the program and its developers;
- check the information about the developers and extension outside the store. Even if it has lots of positive reviews, they might be fake. Thus, checking the info in external websites helps to find out the truth about a necessary app.
However, Browse-Secure hijack might also occur during the installation of freeware or shareware if you rely on Quick/Recommended settings. Instead of them, opt for Advanced/Custom setup and carefully follow the guide. If you receive pre-selected “optional downloads,” unmark those ticks to stop their installation.
Uninstall Browse Secure entirely
To remove Browse-Secure, you have to choose between manual and automatic elimination methods. If you feel confident in your computer skills and have plenty of time to investigate the system, you can opt for the first option. By following manual removal guide below, you should be able to get rid of the browser hijacker.
However, if you noticed that add-on is re-installed, you should switch to automatic Browse-Secure removal option and wipe out browser hijacker with reputable anti-malware. Reputable security tool will find and delete spyware’s leftovers.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

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