Remove Safewebsearches.com virus (Free Instructions) - Free Guide
Safewebsearches.com offers you “safe search” services
Safewebsearches.com virus functions as a search tool which promotes safe surfing. It is commendable that the tool is compatible with security plug-ins and uses Yahoo database. Despite these factors, cyber security experts classify it as a browser hijacker.
Here are main features how you can distinguish such PUPs:
- Promoted in other domains or as add-ons to freeware
- Often contains such URL names as “search.safesearch…”, “search fast”, etc.
- Contains third party links to Amazon, Netflix, eBay, news portals
- Offers to install additional browser extensions
- Contains ambiguous or no privacy at all
Regarding these features, this PUP does not comply with the majority features. On the other hand, consider Safewebsearches.com removal. Reimage Reimage Cleaner or Malwarebytes does it for you faster. Let us present you the key arguments.
Harmless but might annoy you with ads
Indeed, this tool might be praised for its usage of Yahoo search base and compatibility with security plug-ins.
Furthermore, it presents explicit terms of use as well as privacy policy. On the other hand, these advantages do not overweigh the fact that Safe Search is still considered to be a potentially unwanted application.
The privacy policy disclaims of sharing[1] any information about you with third parties, but mentions that it compiles non-personal data. It includes browsing data, frequent search entries, visited domains. According to the document, the tool uses such information for maintaining such services. On the other hand, you may notice more pop-up ads[2] while browsing.
Additionally, though this search engine is quite harmless, you may still get annoyed by safewebsearches.com redirect tendency. Due to it, there is a risk to be directed to an insecure domain. These are the main arguments why it is recommended to remove safewebsearches.com.
Even if you choose "safe search" option, same search results and the same quantity are displayed.
Promotion and distribution
Since this domain still shares quite low popularity, it is likely that you may have noticed its promotion in one of its partner websites.
Additionally, there is a probability that it might be advertised as an optional download option along with freeware and shareware. Thus, it is highly important to pay attention while installing any software.
Note that even such well-known legitimate applications as Skype or Java also distribute PUP-like programs. Carefully proceed to every stage of installation. Choose “Advanced” method to see optional applications.
Get rid of Safewebsearches.com
Luckily, you do not need to meddle with tiresome uninstallation process. You can delete it using two options – manual or automatic Safewebsearches.com removal. If you are in a hurry, the latter method will surely be more efficient. Launch an anti-spyware application to get rid of all web scripts and cookies associated with the hijacker.
You can also remove Safewebsearches.com virus by deleting these files manually with the assistance of below-guide. It also explains how to perform full browser reset. German netizens[3] are likely to run into this hijacker more often.
You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner . 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.
To remove Safewebsearches.com virus, follow these steps:
Remove Safewebsearches.com from Windows systems
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Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
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If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, then right-click in the lower left corner of the screen. Once Quick Access Menu shows up, select Control Panel and Uninstall a Program.
- Uninstall Safewebsearches.com and related programs
Here, look for Safewebsearches.com or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove Safewebsearches.com from Windows shortcuts
Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties. -
Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus.
Repeat steps that are given above with all browsers' shortcuts, including Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. Make sure you check all locations of these shortcuts, including Desktop, Start Menu and taskbar.
Eliminate Safewebsearches.com from Mac OS X system
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If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Safewebsearches.com or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Get rid of Safewebsearches.com from Internet Explorer (IE)
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Remove dangerous add-ons
Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top right corner of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons. -
You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Safewebsearches.com and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the gear icon (menu) on the top right corner of the browser and select Internet Options. Stay in General tab. -
Here, remove malicious URL and enter preferable domain name. Click Apply to save changes.
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Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
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When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Safewebsearches.com removal.
Erase Safewebsearches.com virus from Microsoft Edge
Reset Microsoft Edge settings (Method 1):
- Launch Microsoft Edge app and click More (three dots at the top right corner of the screen).
- Click Settings to open more options.
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Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
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Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
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Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
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Right-click on it and choose Go to details option. If can’t see Go to details option, click More details and repeat previous steps.
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When Details tab shows up, find every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right click on each of them and select End Task to end these entries.
Resetting Microsoft Edge browser (Method 2):
If Method 1 failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method.
- Note: you need to backup your data before using this method.
- Find this folder on your computer:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
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Select every entry which is saved on it and right click with your mouse. Then Delete option.
- Click the Start button (Windows logo) and type in window power in Search my stuff line.
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Right-click the Windows PowerShell entry and choose Run as administrator.
- Once Administrator: Windows PowerShell window shows up, paste this command line after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
Once these steps are finished, Safewebsearches.com should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
Delete Safewebsearches.com from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Carefully follow the instructions to eliminate safewebsearches.com web scripts.
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select Safewebsearches.com and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General. - Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
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Click OK to save these changes.
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Reset Mozilla Firefox
Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. -
Now you will see Reset Firefox to its default state message with Reset Firefox button. Click this button for several times and complete Safewebsearches.com removal.
Uninstall Safewebsearches.com from Google Chrome
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select Safewebsearches.com and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
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Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
Click on menu icon and choose Settings. -
Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages.
- Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage.
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Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
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When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
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Reset Google Chrome
Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings. -
Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings.
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Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Safewebsearches.com removal.
Remove Safewebsearches.com from Safari
- Remove dangerous extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. -
Here, select Extensions and look for Safewebsearches.com or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
Open your Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu section. Here, select Preferences as it was displayed previously and select General. -
Here, look at the Homepage field. If it was altered by Safewebsearches.com, remove unwanted link and enter the one that you want to use for your searches. Remember to include the "http://" before typing in the address of the page.
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Reset Safari
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Safewebsearches.com removal process.
About the author
References
- ^ Douglas Heaven. The ethics issue: Should we abandon privacy online?. NewScientist. Science news, and science articles from New Scientist.
- ^ Sapna Maheshwari. In Advertising Paradise, Reality Is Just a Conversation Away. The New York Times.
- ^ How to remove computer viruses. Dieviren.IT News, Reviews, and Malware removal guides.
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