Skip to content
  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Jun 2020

How to remove Safeservesearch.com

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Alice Woods · Likes to teach users about virus prevention

Safeservesearch.com – a browser hijacker which promises to protect your privacy

The picture of Safeservesearch.com

Safeservesearch is a shady search tool created by Plasko Interactive Ltd. It has been spotted spreading in software bundles as Privacy Switch Chrome extension. Once inside, it alters browser’s settings, sets new startup page, and display intrusive commercial content on the browser.

However, developers of the SafeSearch, or PrivacySwitch, present it as a legitimate search engine that promises to protect your privacy. Developers of Safeservesearch virus are trying to make you think that using this fake search engine has multiple benefits, including increased computer safety and privacy protection while using “Top of the line encryption.”

The fake search engine promotes the “Privacy Switch” which, when enabled helps to protect your privacy and enchants browsing experience. However, it is far from the truth. In case of continual use, safeservesearch.com does the complete opposite.

Despite the fact it promises to stop search tracking; this potentially unwanted program (PUP) collects non-personally identifiable information[1] itself in order to improve search results and display targeted ads. To achieve this goal, the hijacker might alter browser’s settings and take control over it.

Safeservesearch.com virus is not dangerous itself. However, it is the third-party content you get exposed to, while using this fake search engine, does. If the PUP sneaks into your system, it might perform the following:

  • Make changes to the system. It can potentially add redirects to current desktop icons or create new ones.
  • Alter browser settings (set your browser search engine, new tab URL, and homepage to http://www.safeservesearch.com) and prevent users from reverting them.
  • Record non-personally identifiable data (IP addresses, URLs visited, search queries, etc.) The collected data might be sold to third parties for advertisement purposes.
  • Display numerous suspicious ads. The affected browser might display many intrusive ads, even if the program is disabled. These ads can link to websites of dubious content or download and install malware/PUPs.
  • Redirect to unknown third-party websites. Ironically, it is stated in Terms of Use, that using Safeservesearch might lead to third-party content which Plasko Interactive Ltd has no responsibility for and the company cannot be accountable for any damages caused
  • Run background processes and slow down your machine. In some cases, developers of adware misuse systems’ resources for such activities as cryptocurrency mining.[2]
  • Lead to browser crashes and slow response times.

Evidently, browser hijack can cause various problems to users. Therefore, we advise Safeservesearch.com removal as soon as it enters your system. The easiest way to achieve this is by using anti-malware/anti-spyware tool as FortectIntego or similar. Using security software is especially recommended if you haven’t downloaded this extension yourself, but it arrived on the system in the bundle.

However, if you do not want to proceed with the automatic removal of this PUP, you could follow our step-by-step guide at the end of this article. Our team has prepared instructions that will help you to remove Safeservesearch.com from the browser and set your preferred homepage.

Image of Safeservesearch.com hijacker

Careless freeware installation may lead to hijacked web browser

Privacy Switch browser extension has an official website. However, the download button redirects to non-existent Chrome Web Store page. Thus, it’s impossible to download this add-on directly. Though, the PUP has other ways to sneak into the system unnoticed.

Safeservesearch hijack might occur when users download and install free programs. Inexperienced users often download free software from the internet and rush through steps while installing it.

Users tend to use Quick/Recommended settings (as advised by developers) as an easy way to skip lengthy processes. Therefore, many PUPs install into users machines without them knowing about it. It is highly recommended always to use Advanced/Custom settings, read through installation instructions carefully and opt out of any questionable programs.

Cyber security specialists from bedynet.ru[3] also advise staying away from questionable freeware download sources, P2P networks, torrents, and do not install any software from pop-ups or shady websites.

Eliminate Safeservesearch.com redirect virus from your computer

Safeservesearch removal is not complicated. We have written a step-by-step guide which will escort you with complete virus removal. Please follow every step carefully and in the correct order as browser hijack might reappear after improper removal.

The manual way of removing might be time-consuming and a bit confusing to inexperienced users. Hence we can offer you to remove Safeservesearch.com automatically. All you have to do is obtain an anti-malware software which will detect and remove any related components.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

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

Remove the unwanted program:

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

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

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

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

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

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

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

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

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

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

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

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

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

Be the first to comment

Spyware news
Privacy preferences

We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze traffic. Some cookies enable embedded content like videos and social posts. Choose what you allow — you can change this anytime.