Safer Browser – the browser hijacker that is associated with tons of other Safer Technologies products

Safer Browser is the potentially unwanted program that gets installed by users either knowingly or using deceptive techniques. The program gets bundled with freeware or promoted with the help of intrusive advertisements. When this PUP gets on the system, it changes the homepage settings and makes maxwebsearch.com or any similar website the default search engine on every browser you use. Unfortunately, this intruder also can install other hijacking tools, browser extensions, toolbars or add-ons. This is why Safer Browser won't uninstall that easily. You need a thorough system check that indicates all associated programs and disables them all at once.
| Name | Safer Browser |
|---|---|
| Type | Browser hijacker |
| Category | Potentially unwanted program |
| Symptoms | Changes browser settings, alters default search engine, homepage, and new tab preferences |
| Associated products can be indicated by | “Powered by Safer Browser” |
| Distribution | Software bundles, deceptive ads or websites |
| Elimination | Use anti-malware tools to scan the system thoroughly and remove Safer Browser |
You should remove the Safer Browser ASAP. It is a potentially unwanted program that may enter your computer unnoticed and then hijack each of your web browsers, including Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. This can hardly be unnoticed because once installed it replaces your browser's default page with SaferBrowser Search page or any of these websites:
- Search.myspeedtestxp.com,
- Search.mytelevisionxp.com,
- Search.myclassifiedsxp.com,
- Search.mysportsxp.com.
It also sets one of these websites as your default search engine. If you are one of these people who has already discovered that each of their web browsers was attacked by SaferBrowser virus, you should check your computer with the reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego.
Safer Browser uninstall should help you to prevent redirects to unknown websites, annoying pop-up ads, and other unwanted activities that are usually initiated by browser hijackers.[1] But the process often is complicated due to the additional PUPs that got installed or changes in the startup or registry.
Just like almost each of potentially unwanted programs, Safe Browser may start tracking your browsing on the web for getting more knowledge about your browsing habits. It may collect information about your search terms, most visited websites, data that you enter on each of these sites, location or IP addresses, etc.[2]

Experts[3] don't recommend ignoring this because you can never know who is capable of reaching accumulated data and for what purposes it can be used. Third-party advertisers, other commercial companies or PUP sponsors can use this information for creating the promotional content. This is a reason you should perform Safer Browser removal.
If you don't want to allow unreliable parties to know your email address or your search queries, you should avoid installing Safer Browser on your computer. If it has already hijacked each of your web browsers and now is causing SaferBrowser redirects and similar issues, you should follow a guide below and perform all steps in the right order.
Safer Browser virus is the potentially unwanted program that associated many other browser hijackers like Search1. Any related application can be easily identified by “Powered by Safer Browser” on the main website. You can immediately know that the program is designed to redirect your online traffic and generate money from views.[4]

Browser hijackers come prepacked with freeware
If you want to avoid unnoticeable installation of such programs as browser add-ons, extensions, plugins, toolbars, etc. you have to be very careful when installing programs on your computer. In most of the cases, hijackers are spread using freeware and shareware, so make sure you dedicate some time for monitoring installation of the freeware.
What can be done for PUP prevention? You should always do a couple of things:
- Read EULA and Privacy policy of the freeware that you are going to install;
- Please, always select Custom or Advanced installation of the freeware because these two methods will help you to opt out of unwanted attachments;
- In most of the cases, attachments are disclosed as 'optional components,' so you should uncheck all checkboxes that claim that you want to install them on your computer. Otherwise, you will install not only a single program that you need. You will also download a bunch of additional components that may additionally try to initiate such suspicious activities as various system's modifications and similar things.
Get rid of Safer Browser virus and all hijacker symptoms
If Safer Browser virus has appeared on your Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or other web browsers, you can choose between two removal options – manual and automatic. Our security experts have indicated all the removal peculiarities in a comprehensive manner, so you can always try manual termination first.
However, even if it looks to be successful, you are strongly advised to check the system with anti-malware. After reading user complaints, it becomes clear that this PUP seldom spreads on its own. You need a good tool for Safer Browser removal, so all related threats get deleted.
Not only it may be accompanied by other adware or PUPs, but can also install Safer Browser Protector, which can prevent you from removing the adware completely. Thus, be wise and remove Safer Browser with the help of a trustworthy anti-malware program.
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.

Did this guide help?
5 comments
Brooke Armsby
Terrible!! Cant remove it from my Chrome. So ugly to corrupt web browsers settings without permission asked!
wendell
THIS IS THE WORST EXTENSION!!! It adds itself silently without your permission and spies on your information. Go to Google Chrome Settings, Extensions, Disenable, and Delete to remove. Terrible, shady company. Be careful when installing freebies
JamesEdgley
Hi! did someone manage to get rid of this hijacker without anti-malware? I dont want to waste my time, so if those instructions are worthless, Im going to install anti-malware without a delay. By the way, which one you did use for Safer Browser uninstall?
Teresa Davis
JamesEdgley, my husband has tried to initiate Safer Browser removal manually. However, as we have later found out, he missed various additional components unnoticed that has helped this hijacker to get back soon again. So if I were you, I would use anti-malware without wasting time. I personally have SpyHunter. It works great!
Kathy
I used the removal Guide, and it worked but the guide wont come off now!! Removal Safer Browser Virus Removal Tool i believe it is called.. It is up in the browser i believe, cause it show up in the top part ALL the time..Sometimes in the area to look up something the first time you turn it on. Does anyone know what to do