Remove Secure-finder.com virus (Improved Instructions)
Everything you need to know about Secure-finder.com virus
Secure-finder.com virus is presented as reliable browser extension and search engine that respects users’ privacy and allows browsing the Internet anonymously. However, its description and good intentions have not convinced security specialists, and they categorized it as a browser hijacker. Users can install this extension from the official website; however, many people complain that Secure-finder.com appeared as their homepage and default search engine out of nowhere. Indeed, this PUP travels bundled with freeware. The hijacker takes full control over all web browsers that are installed on the affected computer. Then, it delivers ads, promotional links, and other commercial content. The program is free, but you should remember that free stuff is not always good, reliable and safe to use. This browser hijacker is not dangerous itself; however, Secure-finder.com redirect issues may lead to serious problems. For example, you may encounter unexpected redirects, click on misleading ad or sponsored search result that leads to a malicious website.
Questions about Secure-finder.com virus
Developers try to convince users that using this search engine, their searches are redirected to the safe Secure Finder’s search page. However, this page is not secure or reliable at all. When you type search query to the search bar, you are redirected to Plusnetwork.com. We have already talked about this browser hijacker that you should avoid. The relationship between these two search engines is questionable and suspicious, so we recommend Secure-finder.com removal as soon as this domain appears on your browser. You should never keep the program that managed to get inside the computer without your consent. According to the Privacy Policy, this search engine and browser extension do not collect or share personally identifiable information about users. Well, they reveal that in some cases they can obtain this information unintentionally if users search for their names, surnames or similar information. Maybe data monitoring is not an issue; however, you can never be sure if this browser hijacker did not allow installing other PUPs, malware or third-party tracking cookies without your knowledge. Even though it’s a minor computer infection, it still is annoying, bothering and has some potentially dangerous features. It’s better to scan the computer with Reimage Reimage Cleaner or other reputable malware removal utility and remove Secure-finder.com immediately.
How does it spread?
Previously we have mentioned that Secure-finder.com virus has an official website that offers to install this browser extension. Therefore, you may have made a mistake and installed this toolbar yourself. However, if you are looking for alternative search engine and read other users’ reviews, you will avoid this suspicious application. However, most of the time Secure-finder.com hijack occurs unexpectedly when users install software using quick or recommended settings. Browser hijacker spreads bundled with freeware and shareware, so it’s important to select Advanced/Custom installation setup every time you install new programs. These settings allow seeing the list of optional programs and reject their installation. Keep in mind that quick or recommended installation hides additional apps and installs them by default.
How to remove Secure-finder.com?
Probably, you have tried to restore your browser’s settings, change your default homepage and search engine. Nothing has worked, right? This bogus website was still here and didn’t want to get away. Indeed, browser hijacker is designed to prevent users from resetting changes. However, this problem can be easily solved by initiating Secure-finder.com removal. Keep in mind that you have to remove browser hijacker, the program that let it inside and other suspicious applications that may have been installed without your consent. It may be a tricky task, but our team has prepared a step-by-step guide below. However, if this job still seems complicated, opt for automatic removal and let anti-malware program remove Secure-finder.com for you.
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 Secure-finder.com virus, follow these steps:
Eliminate Secure-finder.com from Windows systems
Our team prepared detailed and illustrated instructions for Secure-finder.com removal. Follow them carefully and attentively. Don’t forget that you have to remove not only browser hijacker but also the program that brought it inside. Besides, look for other suspicious applications and browser extensions because it is capable of installing additional entries without your knowledge.
-
Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
-
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 Secure-finder.com and related programs
Here, look for Secure-finder.com or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove Secure-finder.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.
Remove Secure-finder.com from Mac OS X system
-
If you are using OS X, click Go button at the top left of the screen and select Applications.
-
Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Secure-finder.com or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Uninstall Secure-finder.com from Internet Explorer (IE)
Secure Finder may have installed additional add-ons that can initiate another hijack, deliver annoying ads or track your activity. Follow the steps below and get rid of these entries.
-
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 Secure-finder.com and other suspicious plugins. Disable these entries by clicking Disable:
-
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.
-
Reset Internet Explorer
Click on the gear icon (menu) again and select Internet options. Go to Advanced tab. - Here, select Reset.
-
When in the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Secure-finder.com removal.
Erase Secure-finder.com virus from Microsoft Edge
Follow these steps and remove all suspicious entries from Mozilla Firefox.
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.
-
Once Settings window shows up, click Choose what to clear button under Clear browsing data option.
-
Here, select all what you want to remove and click Clear.
-
Now you should right-click on the Start button (Windows logo). Here, select Task Manager.
- When in Processes tab, search for Microsoft Edge.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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, Secure-finder.com should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
Get rid of Secure-finder.com from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Sort the list of extensions by date and look for suspicious add-ons, plugins or extensions. If you see any, remove them because they may be related to Secure-finder.com hijacker.
-
Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. -
Here, select Secure-finder.com and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries.
-
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.
-
Click OK to save these changes.
-
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 Secure-finder.com removal.
Delete Secure-finder.com from Google Chrome
Look through the list of recently installed extensions to the Googe Chrome. Do you find any? Cannot remember installing them? Remove them without hesitation.
-
Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. -
Here, select Secure-finder.com and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries.
-
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.
-
Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
-
When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name.
-
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.
-
Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Secure-finder.com removal.
Eliminate Secure-finder.com from Safari
Remove all suspicious and questionable extensions from the Safari as shown below.
- 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 Secure-finder.com or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
-
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 Secure-finder.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.
-
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 Secure-finder.com removal process.
About the author
Your opinion regarding Secure-finder.com virus
You must be logged in to post a comment.
December 1st, 2016 at 9:10 am
It hijacked my browser :/
December 1st, 2016 at 9:11 am
Your instructions were helpful, thanks.