What is SafeSearch.net and should you use it?
SafeSearch.net virus happens to be a potentially unwanted program which disguises as a reliable search engine. According to the features, specialists classify it as a browser hijacker. In other words, it tends to misguide to potentially infected web pages. Such redirect tendency is not only annoying but it may cause serious browser and computer hijack issues [1]. The primary purpose of this PUP is affiliate marketing. Once this hijacker invades the computer, it infects, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer. It may be downloaded from various download sources or may also enter the computers along with other freeware and shareware programs. So, if you are looking for a search site and consider installing this one, we highly recommend you do a small research on it first. Read Terms of Use and Privacy Policy [2], netizens’ comments and other relevant information. The latter information provides valuable insights which help you decide whether a program or a website is reliable. If you are already using this site as you search provider, and its functionality does not meet your expectations, use a security tool, FortectIntego, to remove it. You can also follow a detailed SafeSearch.net removal guide provided at the end of this article.
Even if you have no intention of downloading or using it, this hijacker may appear as your homepage. After that, the PUP takes control of your browsing traffic. You may start noticing that links provided by the SafeSearch.net redirect you to unknown or even suspicious domains. Be careful since search results delivered by this site may be paid and include sponsored links in priority. This browser plug-in may also install cookies and continuously track you and your online activities. Later on, such data transfer may result in the flood of customized ads. Several shady plug-ins and extensions overcrowd browser’s ability to process information quickly. What is more, SafeSearch may target more Chrome users since the latter browser has dominated the market since last year [3]. Finally, keep in mind that such and similar programs use computer’s resources, cause slow downs and increase system’s vulnerabilities. Recent observations revealed that the PUP also shifted its attention towards Mac OS users. So they can no longer surf the web recklessly. IIt seems that the crooks have realized a huge potential in hijacking these users since they enjoyed relatively fewer cases of system hijack [4]. Thus, we recommend you to remove SafeSearch.net from your computer without a delay.

The distribution tendencies
Freeware and shareware are commonly bundled with additional components, such as add-ons, plug-ins, toolbars, and extensions. Unfortunately, such additional components are not reliable and should not be installed. The distribution method is known as “bundling.” Its principle lies in attaching unwanted applications to legitimate applications. Likewise, welll-known software may also harbor unwanted and even questionable add-ons. If you are not careful enough and miss these additional attachments, later on, you may need to waste time on the elimination of these components. Whenever you are installing any new application, select “Advanced” or “Custom” installation option. Carefully follow the installation wizard. Monitor every check box and opt out of additional components. Likewise, you will be ale to avoid SafeSearch.net hijack in the future. In case, the PUP has already infiltrated your computer, check the removal guide. Start surfing the net more attentively. First of all, avoid visiting websites that you are not familiar with and close suspicious websites immediately [5].
SafeSearch.net elimination guide
Remove SafeSearch.net virus manually or automatically. You can do that by scanning your computer’s system with a security utility. After the scan, the software will remove SafeSearch.net and its related files from your computer. However, for the most efficient removal, you have to make sure that your antivirus is updated to its latest version. If you prefer getting rid of the viruses manually, check detailed SafeSearch.net removal instructions below. Note that your participation plays a significant role in ensuring overall security of the computer. More elaborate and devastating computer threats may disguise in “bundled” software, so you need to stay vigilant.
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?
3 comments
CarlosRodriguez
Appreciate the removal guide, thank you for uploading it for free :)
Brantley Neil
Thanks to SpyHunter, no more SafeSearch.net ! Im so happy!
Theodore
I cannot be the only one who cannot get rid of he virus