Secure Way: what it is and how to remove it
Secure Way is a browser hijacker capable of manipulating your search engine. It changes your homepage to a different one and alters your default search provider.
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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Secure Way: summary
| Distribution | Software bundles, third-party websites, deceptive ads, fake Flash Player updates |
|---|---|
| Name | Secure Way |
| Type | Browser hijacker, search hijacker |
| Symptoms | Installed unknown browser extension or application; possible homepage and new tab address changes; redirects to ad-filled, scam, phishing, and other dangerous websites |
| Dangers | Redirects to malicious websites can result in unwanted site notifications, personal information disclosure to unknown parties (cybercriminals), monetary losses, installation of other potentially unwanted programs/malware |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| 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 6 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Search page | search.secureway.club |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge and Firefox |
| First seen | 4 August 2021 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Is Secure Way dangerous? What it collects
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Secure Way is a browser hijacker that can read data on your visited websites
Secure Way is a browser hijacker capable of manipulating your search engine.
It changes your homepage to a different one and alters your default search provider. Add-ons like this can be distributed on trustworthy web stores such as "Chrome Web Store" by making it seem that it adds a lot of value for the user when in reality, it gives little to no benefit. Adding this extension to your browser makes it vulnerable to unwanted modifications.
Browser extensions can be very useful for surfing the web, making tasks that normally require more time get achieved quicker. On the other hand, some browser additions can be malicious - they can read personal information such as passwords or credit cards.
Some can change important settings inside your search engine and send collected data back to developers, advertisers, or third parties without you knowing. Nonetheless, most browser hijackers only read non-personal information - this might also be a certain privacy breach, however.
The main objective of hijackers is to make the extension look as appealing as possible so that people would willingly add it to their browser themselves. Then hopefully, after downloading the add-on, the user will grant the application a variety of different permissions.
Without reading them, users might not realize they had let Secure Way change their search settings to search.secureway.club. From that point on, many people might be confused when suddenly their default search engine becomes a different one.
Generally, a browser extension is not malicious in itself. Google Chrome alerts users about changes being made to the browser and they can decline or change settings at any time. However, some users might not fully understand these alterations and accept permissions without really looking into them.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Different ways users get their browsers hijacked by extensions
Sometimes it can be difficult for people to identify their browser has been hijacked.
Malware could be running in the background without their knowledge. Fraudsters can try to redirect users to advertiser sites where they receive revenue for generating clicks and they might look like normal pop-up ads.
Often, this results from the "privacy paradox" - an inconsistency between people having deep concerns about their privacy and their actual behavior and steps taken to ensure that privacy. According to research, people are actually quite careless about internet safety even though they think they care a lot. Most people do not read the privacy policies of software they download and skip through the installation process without checking any information.
Apart from that, malicious browser extensions can be downloaded by visiting shady websites, clicking on fake update links, or software bundling. In most cases, this happens when a user wants to download free software from third-party distributors and rushes through the installation process. It is important to check all files included in the package as some of them might not be necessary.
We are not trying to discourage you from getting browser extensions but you should definitely make sure the ones you use are safe.
If you want to remove an unwanted extension from Google Chrome manually follow the instructions posted down below.
Delete from Chrome
Clear cache and web data from 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 the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
- 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.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Secure Way
- Malware or adware infections can diminish the performance of your computer or cause serious stability issues.
Check your browser and PC
- Address:
search.secureway.club
How to remove Secure Way
How to remove Secure Way 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
In Chrome open
chrome://extensions, in Edgeedge://extensions, and in Firefox the menu > Extensions and themes.Remove every extension you do not remember adding, especially search, new tab, coupon, PDF, weather or video downloader add-ons. Check every browser and every profile, because each keeps its own list.
If an extension has no Remove button or comes back, a browser policy holds it (see "Managed by your organization" in the procedure below). The pages are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
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.secureway.club
In Chrome open Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, make an engine you trust the default, and delete
search.secureway.clubfrom the list.In Edge type
search engineinto the search box at the top of Settings and open Manage search engines; in Firefox use Settings > Search. Then check the homepage and the new tab page in the same settings, because hijackers change all three.If search.secureway.club is back after a restart, an extension, a program or a policy still sets it, so finish the other steps and check again. The settings are the same on 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
Secure Way rarely comes alone: it is usually installed by, or together with, a free program. In Windows 11 open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, in Windows 10 Settings > Apps > Apps & features, and sort by install date.
Uninstall every entry from the day the trouble began that you did not install on purpose, for example a download manager, a converter or a browser you never chose.
Keep drivers and entries from Microsoft, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA or your PC's maker unless you are sure.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 4: Reset the browser
A reset removes what the steps above could miss:
- changed start pages
- site permissions
- hidden settings
In Chrome open Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults; in Edge Settings > Reset settings; in Firefox Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox.
Tip: Bookmarks and saved passwords stay, while extensions are turned off and the search engine and start page return to the defaults.
Reset every browser on the PC, including Edge, which Windows 11 and Windows 10 always have.
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
A scan finds the parts of Secure Way that the manual steps cannot see. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, start a Full scan and quarantine what it reports.
Follow it with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now, which restarts the PC and checks the disk while Windows and the malware are not running.
It takes about 15 minutes and works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. If either scan finds something, run the full scan again after removal until it comes back clean.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Delete from Mozilla Firefox
Reset the homepage:
The instructions for other web browsers can be found at the bottom of this post
- 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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Making sure your browser add-on is safe
There are ways you can prevent your browser from being hijacked that are not particularly difficult.
You can protect your personal data by taking precautionary measures.
- Always take the time to do some research on the add-on you want. Check if it is not out-of-date, as older tools can be not as secure as new ones.
- Definitely identify if the extension comes from a reputable source such as "Google Web Store" or "Firefox Browser Add-ons". That doesn't mean that browser add-ons coming from unknown developers are all malicious, but you should be more careful with them. Be wary of requests that seem unreasonable considering what the add-on supposedly should be providing.
- Update your browsers regularly, often developers release patches to fix bugs or eliminate software vulnerabilities.
From our report of Aug 2021 · not reviewed since
Automatic removal and remediation options
If you want to remove the Secure Way search engine add-on go to your browser settings and eliminate it manually.
If you do not understand how to do it, the removal can be performed automatically so you don't have to worry about correctly performing the removal steps - use or another reputable security app. You can perform a full system scan quickly.
Cleaning web browsers is extremely important, so if the above-mentioned steps are too complicated for you, you can instead employ for the job. Besides, the app can also fix malware-caused damage and Windows errors for your convenience.
Questions about Secure Way
Is it safe to keep search.secureway.club as my search engine?
It is not recommended. Searches through search.secureway.club 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.secureway.club, 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.secureway.club come with a program I installed?
Most likely, yes. Search hijackers such as search.secureway.club 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.
What is search.secureway.club?
It is the search page used by the browser hijacker Secure Way. It has no search index of its own: it forwards your queries to another search engine and adds ads and tracking along the way.
People rarely choose it on purpose; it becomes the default search engine, home page or new tab after an extension, program or policy changes the browser settings. The page itself is not malware, but it should not be in your browser if you did not set it. The steps above remove the source and restore your settings.
Is search.secureway.club dangerous?
It is not designed to infect the PC, but it is not neutral either. It logs searches, adds sponsored results that are hard to tell apart from real ones, and its ad partners are not checked as strictly as those of major search engines.
Some hijacker pages have shown ads for fake updates, tech support scams and unwanted software. The main harm is to privacy. Remove Secure Way, and if you entered personal data on sites reached through its results, check those sites carefully.
Do I have to fix every browser?
Yes, every one where the search engine or start page changed. In the cases we checked, Secure Way affected Chrome, Edge and Firefox.
Each browser stores its own search settings and extensions, so fixing one does not fix the others, and Windows-level changes such as shortcuts can affect each browser differently. Work through them one at a time:
- remove the extension
- check the policies
- restore the search engine
- start page
If you sync a browser, stay signed in so the fix spreads to your other computers.
Did search.secureway.club record my searches?
Almost certainly. Logging is the point of a hijacker search page: each query, with your IP address, browser details and the result you clicked, is valuable to advertisers.
The operators of search.secureway.club can store and share that data under their own privacy policy, which you never agreed to knowingly. There is no way to delete it from their side. What you can do is stop the flow:
- remove Secure Way
- clear cookies and site data for search.secureway.club
- treat sensitive searches made in the meantime as known to a third party
Why can't I change my search engine back?
Because something keeps setting it. If an extension controls the search engine, Chrome and Edge show a note that an extension is controlling this setting, and your change is reverted. If a policy controls it, the field is greyed out and the browser shows Managed by your organization.
Remove the extension first, then the policies, and only then change the search engine; the change will stay. If it still reverts, look for a program in Installed apps or a scheduled task that reinstalls the extension.
Why does my search page look slightly different?
Because it is not your search engine's own page. Secure Way sends searches to search.secureway.club, which may copy the colours and layout of a known search engine while adding its own ads and tracking. Small differences give it away:
- an unfamiliar address
- more ads than usual
- a different logo
- a search box with a brand name you do not recognise
Remove the hijacker and set your search engine again from the browser's settings to get the real page back. Then delete the hijacker's entry from the saved search engines list.
Can I just block search.secureway.club?
You can, but it treats the symptom. Blocking the domain in a firewall or the hosts file makes searches fail instead of redirecting, while the extension or program that set it keeps running and collecting data.
Hijacker operators also switch to new domains in updates, so a block may stop working within weeks. Remove the source instead, then set your own search engine. If you want extra protection afterwards, turn on Potentially unwanted app blocking in Windows Security, which stops many hijacker installers before they run.
Will Fortect remove Secure Way?
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 Secure Way, 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
- Wikipedia: Browser hijacking (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)