Securesurf.biz virus. How does it act?
Securesurf.biz browser hijacker is an unpleasant program that should be removed from the computer system as soon as possible. It belongs to the category of “potentially unwanted programs” (PUP) and acts like a computer parasite that changes browser settings without notifying the computer user in a direct way. This PUP modifies browser’s homepage, default search engine settings in order to promote SecureSurf search engine. If you have noticed such changes in your browser, act immediately and uninstall this hijacker from the system, as it can only cause problems for you.
Just like the majority of browser hijackers, this one also promotes a bogus search engine in order to make the user click on sponsored links and promote specific Internet pages. These sponsored links typically arrive together with search results each time the user makes a search query. We have noticed that this search engine redirects the user to search.safefinder.com site, and only then provides search results, which ostensibly are powered by Yahoo. The reason why we do not recommend you to use this search engine is that original links might be removed from search results and replaced with vague ones, leading to affiliate websites that might be untrustworthy. To put it simply, you might find yourself visiting an entirely different page after clicking on one of the search results. We recommend you to be very careful because Securesurf.biz redirects can connect you with sites that are highly dangerous. Beware, because insecure web pages can suggest bogus free downloads, such as rogue applications, malicious software updates, and similar content that can harm your computer system. There is no need to say that redirects are annoying as well – especially when you are trying to reach particular information in a rush.
If your computer has been affected by this hijacker, it is likely that pop-up ads, banners, and in-text ads will start to appear in your browser during browsing sessions. If this is something that you are experiencing, then most likely you have installed an adware-type program together with this browser hijacker. To remove Securesurf.biz and annoying ads, scan your PC with an anti-malware program like FortectIntego.
How did I infect my PC with potentially unwanted programs?
Speaking of PUPs, we want to warn you that you do not necessarily have to go to a specific Internet page and download them to your computer in order to have them on your computer system. Sadly, a lot of these programs spread via software bundling, which means that their developers bundle them with other software and distribute them together. So when you open an installer of a free program, make sure you check whether it is bundled with any additional pieces of software. To do that, proceed to the “Settings” step and select Custom or Advanced option. In case these settings reveal one or two choices to install additional software, deselect them.
How to remove Securesurf.biz?
Do not let this bogus search engine deceive you and better start using a more reliable search engine instead. Luckily, Securesurf.biz virus is not one of the most dangerous computer programs, and both inexperienced and advanced computer users can uninstall it manually. What is more, we have already prepared Securesurf.biz removal instructions and provided them below this post. To complete the removal, run a system scan with an anti-malware program. If you experience any issues while deleting components of this malware, submit a question to our support team via “Ask Us” page.
Uninstall from Windows
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.

Delete from macOS
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.
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.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
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)
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.

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.

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.

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