Safesearch4.ru virus (Improved Instructions)
Safesearch4.ru virus Removal Guide
What is Safesearch4.ru virus?
Analysis of Safesearch4.ru browser hijacker
If this page appears when you launch your browser, your device is infected with a PUP
Safesearch4.ru virus looks like a search engine. Though it says to be “Inspired by Google”, in fact, it is a browser hijacker. It means that it is distributed in insidious ways. In addition, it fails to provide you relevant search results. Moreover, using this hijacker for a longer while, you might get bothered by constant redirects to suspicious domains.
Therefore, the risk to catch a virus or two highly boosts up. That is why we urge users to remove the potentially unwanted program immediately. And with this article, we'll explain how to do that in detail. As the title suggests, the hijacker has its several “predecessors” already with safesearch1.ru being one of them
All of them share the same front page designs and operation features. In fact, it has been a prevalent tendency for browser hijackers, which pretend to be the affiliate products of Google, to include the logo of the company and mark it with “Google Custom Search.” You should know that it is simply a marketing trick.
If you want to use the real search engine from the mentioned company, just enter the official web page. There is no need to deviate to similar questionable search engines. If you delay getting rid of this hijacker, redirect tendencies will become a more and more persistent problem.
Name | Safesearch4.ru virus |
---|---|
Type | Browser hijacker, PUP |
Symptoms | Redirects to untrustworthy sites; modified browser settings; intruscive and deceptive ads |
Distribution | Software bundling, file-sharing platforms |
Elimination | Remove the infection with trustworthy anti-malware software or our instructions posted below |
Since the hijacker applies its “layer,” it starts to control your browsing traffic. In short, you get misguided to the domains of the affiliated partner companies. Safesearch4.ru/start.html is supported by third parties so it is obligated to advertise their web pages.
However, such an advertising technique has major flaws. The redirect domains might be poorly protected from cyber infections so they might get attacked by malware. If you stay on the redirected web page too long, your computer gets threatened by computer viruses. Thus, quick elimination of the hijacker should become a priority.
In addition, you might be encouraged to start the procedure soon after finding out that the hijacker spies on your online activities. It does so with the assistance of cookies, pixels, etc. They collect information about visited domains, locate IP addresses and track how often you browse the Web.
This information might be traded with online advertising companies which later on cram your computer screen with pay-per-click ads. Therefore you need to remove Safesearch4.ru ASAp. By doing that with proper AV tools like Malwarebytes and SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, you can rest assured that the threat is completely terminated.
In case you want to get your hands dirty and complete the browser removal process yourself, at least let us help you by providing instructions which are posted below. Afterward, use system diagnostics software such as the time-tested FortectIntego to repair system inconsistencies.
How does the PUP get into devices?
Users enable safesearch4.ru hijack when installing new applications. Due to reckless installation habits, they miss the add-ons, which often are futile programs and tools. If you are willing to prevent the infiltration of any PUP, you should follow these recommendations. Download the programs from their official sources and find out the official publisher.
Secondary distributors might promote infected versions of the program. Afterward, upon proceeding to the installation guide, opt for “Custom” settings. They will reveal optional applications. Likewise, you will be able to uncheck unwanted tools.
Quick Safesearch4.ru removal
You might choose from two options: manual and automatic elimination of safesearch4.ru virus. If you are looking for a quick and effective solution, you should simply install a security application. Update the software and let it root out the hijacker.
You might also remove the browser hijacker manually. The guidelines are presented below. Do not forget that precision and attention are vital factors ensuring its complete removal. Next time you install new software, check its ratings and user reviews.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. 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.
Getting rid of Safesearch4.ru virus. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
If you suspect that there might be lingering files of the infection, you can eliminate the registry keys by completing the following commands.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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
After going through the steps, the browser will be restored to its default settings.
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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Safesearch4.ru registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting browser hijacker
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.