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Remove Secure-Finder.org virus (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge) - Free Instructions

removal by Alice Woods - - | Type: Browser hijacker
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1 solved questions
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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 ReimageIntego. 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.

The picture of Secure-Finder.org virus

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 may remove virus damage with a help of ReimageIntego. 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.

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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.

  1. Click Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs). Click 'Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features' (if you are 'Windows XP' user, click on 'Add/Remove Programs').
  2. 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. 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'.
  3. Uninstall Secure-Finder.org and related programs
    Here, look for Secure-Finder.org or any other recently installed suspicious programs.
  4. Uninstall them and click OK to save these changes. Right click on each of suspicious entries and select 'Uninstall'
  5. Remove Secure-Finder.org from Windows shortcuts
    Right click on the shortcut of Mozilla Firefox and select Properties. Right click on browsers' icon and select 'Properties'
  6. Go to Shortcut tab and look at the Target field. Delete malicious URL that is related to your virus. Select 'Shortcut' tab and delete 'http://isearch.babylon.com...' or other suspicious URL

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.

Uninstall 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.

If your macOS is displaying some infection symptoms, proceed with the following guide:

Remove Secure-Finder.org from Applications folder:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for Secure-Finder.org-related entries.
  3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)Uninstall from Mac 1

To fully remove Secure-Finder.org, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
  3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries related to Secure-Finder.org and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the Secure-Finder.org-related entries.Uninstall from Mac 2

Erase Secure-Finder.org from Internet Explorer (IE)

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 Secure-Finder.org and other 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 again to complete Secure-Finder.org removal.Reset Internet Explorer

Get rid of Secure-Finder.org virus 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 Secure-Finder.org-related extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click on Uninstall at the bottom.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 Privacy & security.
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.Clear Edge browsing data

Reset MS Edge if that 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

If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.

  1. Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
  2. Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
  3. Right-click on them and pick DeleteAdvanced MS Edge reset 1
  4. Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  5. When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:

    Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -VerboseAdvanced MS Edge reset 2

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 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.Reset Chromium Edge

Delete 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.

  1. Remove dangerous extensions
    Open Mozilla Firefox, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Add-ons → Extensions. Click on menu icon and select 'Add-ons'
  2. Here, select Secure-Finder.org and other questionable plugins. Click Remove to delete these entries. Select 'Extensions' and look for malicious entries. Click 'Remove' to get rid of each of them
  3. Change your homepage if it was altered by virus:
    Click on the menu (top right corner), choose Options → General.
  4. Here, delete malicious URL and enter preferable website or click Restore to default.
  5. Click OK to save these changes. When in 'General' tab, delete malicious URL from 'Home Page' section or click on 'Restore to Default' button. Click 'OK' to save changes
  6. Reset Mozilla Firefox
    Click on the Firefox menu on the top left and click on the question mark. Here, choose Troubleshooting Information. Click on menu icon and then on '?'. Select 'Troubleshooting Information'
  7. 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. Click on 'Reset Firefox' button for a couple of times

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.

  1. Delete malicious plugins
    Open Google Chrome, click on the menu icon (top right corner) and select Tools → Extensions. Click on menu icon. Select 'Tools' and 'Extensions'
  2. Here, select Secure-Finder.org and other malicious plugins and select trash icon to delete these entries. Look for malicious entries and delete each of them by clicking on the Trash bin icon
  3. Change your homepage and default search engine if it was altered by your virus
    Click on menu icon and choose Settings.
  4. Here, look for the Open a specific page or set of pages under On startup option and click on Set pages. After clicking on menu and 'Settings', select 'Set pages'
  5. Now you should see another window. Here, delete malicious search sites and enter the one that you want to use as your homepage. Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
  6. Click on menu icon again and choose Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section. When in 'Settings', select 'Manage search engines...'
  7. When in Search Engines..., remove malicious search sites. You should leave only Google or your preferred domain name. Click 'X' to remove malicious URLs
  8. Reset Google Chrome
    Click on menu icon on the top right of your Google Chrome and select Settings.
  9. Scroll down to the end of the page and click on Reset browser settings. When in 'Settings', scroll down to 'Reset browser settings' button and click on it
  10. Click Reset to confirm this action and complete Secure-Finder.org removal. Click on 'Reset' button to complete your 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.

  1. 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. Click on 'Safari' and select 'Preferences'
  2. Here, select Extensions and look for Secure-Finder.org or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them. Go to 'Extensions' and uninstall malicious add-ons
  3. 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.
  4. 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. When in 'General', delete malicious URL and enter your desired domain name
  5. Reset Safari
    Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... Click on 'Safari' and select 'Reset Safari...'
  6. 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. Select all options and click on 'Reset' button

Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are

There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.

Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.

Data backups are important – recover your lost files

Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.

While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.

About the author
Alice Woods
Alice Woods - Likes to teach users about virus prevention

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Contact Alice Woods
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References
Removal guides in other languages
es Desinstalando Secure-Finder.org

This entry was posted on 2017-01-19 at 01:00 and is filed under Stealing programs, Viruses.

  1. SImon says:
    January 20th, 2017 at 2:25 am

    It was quite a challenge to remove it!

  2. Garry says:
    January 20th, 2017 at 2:25 am

    Your instructions saved me lots of time. Thanks!

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