Search.safesidetabsearch.com: what it is and how to remove it
Search.safesidetabsearch.com is a web address that users can see on their Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, MS Edge, Safari, or is a browser after they install a potentially unwanted program called FunSafeTab extension by Imali Media. Nevertheless, the URL might also be related to other browser hijackers, so sometimes getting rid of the extension is not enough to regain control of your search engine, new tab, and the homepage.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Search.safesidetabsearch.com: summary
| Damage | Installation of other potentially unwanted programs, data disclosure to unknown parties |
|---|---|
| Name | Search.safesidetabsearch.com |
| Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted program |
| Related extension | FunSafeTab |
| Developer | Imali Media |
| Infiltration | In most cases, users install potentially unwanted programs unintentionally – via software bundle packages, a deceptive ad, or a fake update prompt. Nevertheless, the extension can also be installed voluntarily via official sources like Google Web store |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 8 more facts
| Symptoms | A browser extension FunSafeTab installed on the web browser; search results are redirected to Yahoo and are filled with sponsored links; overall increased amount of advertising |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Search page | search.safesidetabsearch.com |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 31 January 2020 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What Search.safesidetabsearch.com changes in your browser
The second type of information is individually identifiable information, namely information that identifies an individual or may with reasonable effort identify an individual ("Personal Information"). The Personal information includes information which was either voluntarily submitted by you when and if you contact us (name, email address, etc.).
Is Search.safesidetabsearch.com dangerous? What it collects
From our report of Jan 2020 · not reviewed since
Search.safesidetabsearch.com is a browser hijacker that claims to protect you while browsing online
Search.safesidetabsearch.com is a web address that users can see on their Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, MS Edge, Safari, or is a browser after they install a potentially unwanted program called FunSafeTab extension by Imali Media. Nevertheless, the URL might also be related to other browser hijackers, so sometimes getting rid of the extension is not enough to regain control of your search engine, new tab, and the homepage.
Potentially unwanted programs like Search.safesidetabsearch.com are usually attached to freeware or shareware apps that you download from third-party websites. Due to the deceptive software bundling distribution technique, users may not even notice the entry of a browser hijacker or another PUP.
Luckily, most of the modern browsers nowadays warn users about homepage and new tab address change, so users can opt to remove Search.safesidetabsearch.com before it can even apply any changes.
Just as many other browser hijackers, FunSafeTab Search tries to attract users with its allegedly useful functionality - it includes a few customization features like the change of the background picture and embedded links that lead users to sites like Facebook, Gmail, Instagram, YouTube, etc. Just to be clear - there is nothing wrong with these links, as they would bring to official websites of well-known companies.
Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that Search.safesidetabsearch.com functionality is not something unique, and most of the web browsers, such as the new MS Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and other browsers, provide it as well. The difference is that you could actually customize your front page the way you like and apply links that you visit the most - convenient and risk-free.
Additionally, FunSafeTab also offers the capability of uploading documents and other files, which can be locked with a password. The same feature is provided for notes, although the developer claims that these files are protected with the AES encryption.
On the other side, if you decide to keep Search.safesidetabsearch.com hijacker installed, all your searches will be redirected to Yahoo, although they won't be organic. In other words, the displayed results will be those that were paid for by the developer's partners and affiliates and not the ones you would see by searching via a regular search engine.
Another reason for Search.safesidetabsearch.com removal should be the fact that it collects a variety of information about your web browsing habits with the help of such tracking technologies as cookies, web beacons, pixels, etc. The data may include:
Additionally, FunSafeTab may also gather some personal information that you provide during the registration or operation process of the app.
Search.safesidetabsearch.com uses the same design and characteristics for the whole bunch of fake search engines, including Cooliosearch.com, Search.mysearchengine.info, Search.wondrousmoviessearch.com, Search.safesidesearch.com, and many others. All of these tools pretend to help users find what they are looking for, but the truth is, they seek the ad revenue through the pay-per-click installs.
In the meantime, users might be forced to visit sponsored sites that they otherwise never would. This is especially common for less experienced users who don't see the difference between a hijacked and a genuine search engine.
To conclude, FunSafeTab (Search.safesidetabsearch.com) is not a virus or something very malicious, but it is a tool that will expose you to ads and will show you sponsored links, all while gathering information about you in the background.
In case Search.safesidetabsearch.com removal proves to be difficult, you can always scan your machine with anti-malware software that can get the work done for you.
- IP address
- Web browser type
- Language
- Timestamp
- Search queries
- Clicks, and other usage information.
From our report of Jan 2020 · not reviewed since
Search.safesidetabsearch.com hijack operation principles
The main symptom of Search.safesidetabsearch.com hijack is the web browser's (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, Opera, etc.) modifications.
This misleading search engine is typically spread via freeware in the form of an extension. Thus, once it is installed, it changes the web browser's homepage, search engine, new tab window, and other less important parameters.
Consequently, instead of Google, Bing, or Yahoo, you may encounter with Search.safesidetabsearch.com web page all the time. The homepage of this page offers a security scan of a certain domain and provides some quick links to security-related software, allows checking the Internet speed, access social networks directly, and so on. Besides, it also provides Yahoo-based search results that may not look suspicious at all.
However, as we have already pointed out, search results developed by the Search.safesidetabsearch.com virus may include a bunch of sponsored links and advertisements linked to irrelevant or even unsafe third party web pages.
It's crucial to highlight the fact that IMALI – N.I. MEDIA LTD does not take any responsibility for the content that is displayed via this search engine, which means that the data may be false, and after clicking on the, you will be able to blame yourself only. Therefore, do not take that risk!
From our report of Jan 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Search.safesidetabsearch.com
- In case your computer is experiencing lag, crashes, BSODs, errors, and other issues, you can scan it with to repair the Windows OS
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
search.safesidetabsearch.com
How to remove Search.safesidetabsearch.com
How to remove Search.safesidetabsearch.com and get your search engine back
Remove the extension first.
The search settings only stay fixed once nothing on the PC can change them again.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
Search.safesidetabsearch.com often works through an extension, so go through the extension list of each browser:
chrome://extensionsedge://extensions- Extensions and themes in Firefox
Switch suspicious extensions off one at a time and reload the page where the problem shows, then remove the one that stops it, and any other you did not add.
Remember the other browsers and profiles on the PC. If Remove is missing or greyed out, a policy forces the extension, which the policy step deals with. Windows 11 and Windows 10 show the same pages.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Put the search engine back and delete search.safesidetabsearch.com
Searches that pass through
search.safesidetabsearch.commean the browser's default search engine was replaced. Chrome: Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, then Make default on Google, Bing or another engine you chose, and Delete on search.safesidetabsearch.com.Edge has the same list under Manage search engines (search the Settings page for it), and Firefox under Settings > Search.
Look at On startup and the homepage settings too and remove the hijacker's address there. Nothing in this step differs between Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 3: Uninstall programs you did not mean to install
Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11, or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10, and sort the list by install date. Look at what appeared around the day the problem started and uninstall every program you do not recognise or did not choose.
Free converters, PDF and video tools, "system optimizers" and unknown browsers are the usual carriers of Search.safesidetabsearch.com. If a name is unclear, search for it before you remove it, so you do not uninstall a driver or a Windows component.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 4: Reset the browser
Finish the browser part with a reset, which puts the search engine, start page, new tab page and site permissions back to their defaults and switches extensions off. Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.
Edge: Settings > Reset settings. Firefox: Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox, which also removes its extensions. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are kept, and the menus are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.
Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Uninstall from Windows
To get rid of Search.safesidetabsearch.com virus on Windows machines, follow these instructions:
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.
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.
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.
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)
Reset Mozilla Firefox to ensure that the hijacker is completely eliminated:
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.
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.
Delete from macOS
If you are using macOS, you should follow these steps to get rid of FunSafeTab:
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.
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.
Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.
Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.
From our report of Jan 2020 · not reviewed since
Ways to remove and avoid hijackers like Search.safesidetabsearch.com
The 2-spyware team highly recommends you remove Search.safesidetabsearch.com virus as soon as possible as it may deliver unsafe search results and present with tons of pop-up ads linked to third-party pages.
In most of the cases, this fake search infects random web browsers with the help of other freeware/shareware. In other words, it may be hidden under software packages and disclosed on the list of 'optional downloads, which is not necessarily checked.
To prevent your PC from being hijacked by Search.safesidetabsearch.com, you have to opt for an advanced or custom installation mode and monitor the installation carefully. If, however, you did the installation of the desired freeware incorrectly and allowed Search.safesidetabsearch.com PUP to land on your web browser accidentally, perform its removal right away. For that, you can use the guide provided below.
Questions about Search.safesidetabsearch.com
Is it safe to keep search.safesidetabsearch.com as my search engine?
It is not recommended. Searches through search.safesidetabsearch.com usually still return results, but the operator sees every query, often stores it with an identifier for your browser and shows extra ads or paid links. Some hijacked results lead to fake downloads or scam pages.
You also did not choose it, which means something changed your settings without asking and may still be installed. Set your own search engine back, remove the extension or program that set search.safesidetabsearch.com, and check the browser's other settings, such as the start page and notification permissions, for further changes made at the same time.
Did search.safesidetabsearch.com come with a program I installed?
Most likely, yes. Search hijackers such as search.safesidetabsearch.com usually arrive with free software, where an extra offer is pre-ticked in the installer, or as an extension that promises something useful, such as file conversion, maps, recipes or streaming.
Look at Settings, Apps, Installed apps sorted by install date: whatever was installed just before the search engine changed is the main suspect. Uninstall it, then remove any extension you do not recognise. In future, choose the custom or advanced option in installers and untick extra offers, and install extensions only from the official store pages of publishers you know.
Why do my searches go to search.safesidetabsearch.com?
Because the browser's default search engine was changed to it. Search.safesidetabsearch.com did that through an extension, a program or a browser policy, and as long as that source remains, the setting points to search.safesidetabsearch.com.
The page then passes your query to a real search provider, so the results look almost normal, with extra sponsored links on top. Changing the search engine back on its own does not last, because the source resets it. Remove the extension or program first, then the policies if any, then set your own search engine.
Is it safe to keep searching with search.safesidetabsearch.com?
We would not. Every query you type is logged by its operators and shared with their advertising partners, and the sponsored links at the top are chosen for payment, not relevance. Results that look like a download page or a support site may lead to scams.
The page will not damage Windows by itself, but there is no benefit in keeping it: the results come from another search engine anyway. Remove Search.safesidetabsearch.com and use that search engine directly, by typing its address or choosing it in the browser settings.
Which browsers does Search.safesidetabsearch.com affect?
We saw it in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. That does not mean the other browsers on your PC are safe: hijacker installers usually change every browser they find, and browser sync can carry an extension to other computers signed in to the same account.
Check the search engine, home page, new tab, extensions and policies in each browser you have, including ones you rarely open. Chrome and Edge profiles count separately, so switch to each profile and check it as well before you call the job done.
What does search.safesidetabsearch.com know about me?
It knows what you searched for while it was your search engine, when, from which IP address and with which browser, and usually which results you opened. Tracking cookies let it connect those searches into a profile. It does not see your saved passwords or files.
After removing Search.safesidetabsearch.com, delete the cookies and site data for search.safesidetabsearch.com so the profile cannot be continued, and remove it from the browser's list of saved search engines. Signing out of important sites and back in also replaces session cookies.
Will resetting the browser remove Search.safesidetabsearch.com?
A reset disables extensions, restores the default search engine, start page and new tab, and clears temporary data and cookies. It keeps bookmarks, history and saved passwords. For many hijackers that is enough.
It does not remove a program installed in Windows, policies in the registry, changes to the hosts file or DNS, or edited shortcuts, so Search.safesidetabsearch.com can come back after a reset if one of those remains. Do the reset after removing the program and policies, not instead of it.
Would an ad blocker stop Search.safesidetabsearch.com?
Not really. An ad blocker can hide some of the sponsored results on search.safesidetabsearch.com, but it does not change your search engine back or remove the extension that set it. Your searches would still pass through the hijacker's servers and be logged.
Some ad blockers include tracking filters that block parts of the redirect chain, which can break searches altogether. Remove Search.safesidetabsearch.com with the plan above; an ad blocker is a reasonable extra afterwards, from the official store only and from a developer with a long track record.
Should I just switch to another browser?
It may not help. Installers that add hijackers usually target every browser on the PC, and system-level changes such as the hosts file, DNS or proxy affect all browsers at once. A new browser also leaves the hijacker's program and extension in place, collecting data in the old one.
Remove Search.safesidetabsearch.com properly first. After that, use whichever browser you prefer; Chrome, Edge and Firefox all let you set and protect your own search engine. Import your bookmarks only after the old browser is clean.
Will Fortect remove Search.safesidetabsearch.com?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Search.safesidetabsearch.com, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- How-To Geek: PUPs Explained: What is a "Potentially Unwanted Program"? (read October 6, 2026)
- Comparitech: What is AES encryption and how does it work? (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 6, 2026)