Secure-Finder.org virus. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
Should you trust Secure-Finder.org search engine?
Secure-Finder.org virus, also known as Secure-Finder.com virus, is represented as a search engine and browser extension[1] that offers to protect your privacy while browsing the Internet. Developers claim they created a tool that differs from popular and well-known search engines because it cannot see user’s search logs[2] and do not create user’s profile. In other words, they give a chance to surf the Web anonymously for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari users. Secure Finder uses a “patent-pending process” allows detecting when you use “disrespectful” search engine and re-routs your search queries to its secure search results page. However, these so-called privacy-enhanced search results are delivered by Plusnetwork.com, which is known as a browser hijacker. The relationship between these two websites is suspicious and do not promise anything good. Indeed, this browser extension is also known as a potentially unwanted program and a browser hijacker. One of the main reasons why it is classified as a hijacker is its distribution method. Secure-Finder.org browser hijacker spreads bundled free applications that users can download from the Internet. Hence, they do not intentionally install this extension and find difficulties with its elimination.
Questions about Secure-Finder.org virus
After Secure-Finder.org hijack[3], users find out that this website replaced their current browser’s homepage and search engine. The problem is, hijacker prevents users from setting their preferred domains and rejects all their customizations. It happens because hijacker can install helper objects that protect it from simple elimination. However, Secure-Finder.org removal is still possible with strong anti-malware programs, such as Reimage. While this potentially unwanted application resides on your PC, you won’t be able to use any popular and reliable search engine. Even though this one claims to protect your searches and keeping away from your non-personally identifiable and personally identifiable[4] information, you should still do not trust them. It might deliver altered search results and include sponsored links instead of real and organic links. Usually, browser hijackers are created for boosting traffic to various websites or promoting them, and the easiest way to do it is to trick users into clicking links included in the search results. The problem is that these links might lead to the malicious websites[5] where your computer might be infected with ransomware, or you might be scammed. You should not let any application stay on your PC if it got inside the system without your knowledge. Therefore, remove Secure-Finder.org and choose more reliable search provider.
When did hijack occurred?
So-called Secure-Finder.org virus needs assistance to travel and get inside computers. Various free programs downloaded from the Internet helps it infiltrate careless users’ computers. Potentially unwanted applications are attached as optional programs in the software package. If users install new software using Recommended/Quick setup, they agree to install all extra apps. Indeed, it happens without their knowledge because installation wizard does not disclose about additional applications. However, if you choose Advanced/Custom setup, you can opt out all other unknown and suspicious programs that are suggested for you. All you have to do is not to rush through the setup because you might skip this important and have to deal with modifications in the browser and possible Secure-Finder.org redirect issues.
How to remove Secure-Finder.org from the PC?
The easiest way to remove Secure-Finder.org is to opt for automatic option and run a full system scan with professional malware removal program. Make sure that you update your chosen software before system scan. If you need advice what tool to choose, you can find our recommendations below. However, if you do not want to use additional software for Secure-Finder.org removal, you can opt for manual elimination option and delete browser hijacker from the program’s list. Don’t forget that it might have installed additional applications or browser extensions, so you should look up for unknown entries as well.
You can remove virus damage automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, Malwarebytes MalwarebytesCombo Cleaner, Plumbytes Anti-MalwareMalwarebytes Malwarebytes. We recommend these applications because they detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove Secure-Finder.org virus, follow these steps:
Remove Secure-Finder.org from Windows systems
Go to Control Panel and look for the Secure-Finder.org virus and other suspicious applications that might be related to the hijacker. Then, check all web browsers installed on your PC, uninstall all unknown extensions and reset their settings.
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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 Secure-Finder.org and related programs
Here, look for Secure-Finder.org or any other recently installed suspicious programs. -
Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes.
- Remove Secure-Finder.org from Windows shortcuts
Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties.
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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.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariUninstall Secure-Finder.org from Mac OS X system
Mac OS X users catch browser hijacker; however, if you are one of the unlucky ones who managed to do it, follow the instructions to remove Secure-Finder.org virus.
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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 Secure-Finder.org or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Erase Secure-Finder.org 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.
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You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Secure-Finder.org 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 Secure-Finder.org removal.
Get rid of Secure-Finder.org 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. -
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, Secure-Finder.org should be removed from your Microsoft Edge browser.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariDelete Secure-Finder.org from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
From the list of extensions remove The Secure Finder extension and other suspicious entries that might have been installed on Mozilla Firefox. Then, reset browser’s settings and set your preferred homepage and default search engine.
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Remove dangerous extensions
Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions.
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Here, select Secure-Finder.org 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.
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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.org removal.
Eliminate Secure-Finder.org from Google Chrome
Follow these steps to remove Secure Finder browser extension from Google Chrome and reset browser’s settings. However, don’t forget to uninstall all unknowns and suspicious plugins, add-ons or toolbars because they might be responsible for another hijack.
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Delete malicious plugins
Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions.
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Here, select Secure-Finder.org 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 Secure-Finder.org removal.
Remove Secure-Finder.org from Safari
This step-by-step guide will help you to fix Safari after the hijack. Remove Secure Finder from the Safari and look for other suspicious entries that might be related to the hijacker. Once you uninstall all questionable entries, reset browser’s settings.
- 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.
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Here, select Extensions and look for Secure-Finder.org 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 Secure-Finder.org, 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....
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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.org removal process.
About the author
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References
- ^ What are Browser Extensions and How they Affect your Privacy?. Betternet Blog. The blog about online security and privacy.
- ^ Understanding Search Logs. Google Help Center.
- ^ Browser Hijacking. The Computer Technology Documentation Project.
- ^ Margaret Rouse. Personally identifiable information (PII). SearchFinancialSecurity. Information security, news and tips.
- ^ Costin Raiu. Browsing malicious websites. Securelist. Information about Viruses, Hackers and Spam.
January 20th, 2017 at 2:25 am
It was quite a challenge to remove it!
January 20th, 2017 at 2:25 am
Your instructions saved me lots of time. Thanks!