SecuryBrowse (Virus Removal Guide) - updated Feb 2019
SecuryBrowse Removal Guide
What is SecuryBrowse?
SecuryBrowse is an extension and a browser hijacker that provides fake sense of security for netizens
SecuryBrowse is a browser hijacker that causes constant redirects to commercial sites next to its seemingly-useful features.
SecuryBrowse is a potentially unwanted program – a browser extension designed for Google Chrome. However, the infiltration technique of this PUP is rather interesting. It first gets installed via software bundling and then redirects users to trafficadvance.net which asks them to implement the extension. Once installed, SecuryBrowse virus will change homepage and the new tab URL to https://search.securybrowser.com and redirect all searches to Yahoo. While it's description sounds flashy – “Contextual Security Advisory based on browsing and search activity” the application is merely a browser hijacker which seeks monetary benefit from targeted advertising. Additionally, SecuryBrowse might provide users with a false sense of security due to its blocking of the allegedly dangerous sites. In reality, the app denies entry to websites based on keywords and not the actual threats.
Name | SecuryBrowse |
---|---|
Type | Potentially unwanted program |
Sub-type | Browser hijacker |
Related site | trafficadvance.net |
Homepage change to | Search.securybrowse.com |
Distribution | Software bundles, the official website |
main functionality | Promises to protect users from malicious websites |
REal activity | Changes Chrome's settings, redirects to sponsored websites, tracks users' browsing activity to display customized results |
Elimination | Use our instructions below |
Optimiazation | Use FortectIntego to make sure the system is running as intended |
While SecuryBrowse is not a malicious program, you should remember that it might cause some unwanted actions on your machine. According to researchers[1], the first signal is its warning in the Privacy Policy saying that it travels around together with a related search engine which can be installed in a bundle:[2]
By downloading/installing “SECURYBROWSE”, you will be installing a software application onto your computer which might appear on your desktop or within one or more of your Internet browsers. “SECURYBROWSE” products will allow you to search the Internet, and may provide you with additional features as further described in this EULA. During the download of a “SECURYBROWSE” Product you may also be offered the opportunity to set your browser homepage, start page, new tab page and/or default search setting(s) to our search service.
If your browser is redirecting you to various commercial sites and a default search engine or a start page was set to search.securybrowse.com, it is the first sign that you have a browser hijacker[3] on your computer. While SecuryBrowse may seem useful, beware that it can track information related to your browsing.
Additionally, SecuryBrowse virus starts filling your searches with in-text links, banner ads and similar content used to generate pay-per-click income. While there is nothing bad about it, there is no guarantee that sites promoted thru this service are all safe:
Remove SecuryBrowse virus if you notice that your homepage and new tab options were changed. At the moment, the PUP is attacking Google Chrome web browser. However, there is no guarantee that other browsers won't be affected as well. The easiest way to fix your computer is to run a full system scan with anti-malware tools like FortectIntego.
SecuryBrowse removal is important to do and the sooner you do that, the better. The more time this browser hijacker spends on your system, the more unwanted changes you may find out. This is not the program that can change significant parts of the system, but there is a possibility that the PUP can redirect you to highly questionable sites.
SecuryBrowse is a program that can modify your browser settings.
Software bundling provides unwanted programs a perfect opportunity to slip into computers unnoticed
There are two ways used by this PUP to enter the system. First of all, you can get it from its official site as a great addition to your web browser. However, you can also discover it on your system without downloading it. This method is known as bundling as it hides optional components in a software which is completely safe and legitimate. PUP developers typically make arrangements with freeware providers and rely on software bundling technique to spread their PUPs without a warning.
During the installation of the software, there is always a possibility to choose Advanced or Custom option and opt out of unwanted components. Such a tip is also provided by Secure Browse developers:
If you do not wish to reset your setting(s), you can decline/opt-out of the setting(s) change by unchecking the appropriate checkbox during the download process for the relevant “SECURYBROWSE” Product.
Skipping through these important steps can lead you to numerous changes in web browsers. Make sure you choose Advanced or Custom installation settings that will help you to see the whole list of additions.
SecuryBrowse elimination steps
To remove SecuryBrowse virus from your computer, you need to use reputable anti-malware tools. It is the easiest way to check the system for unwanted components that may be hiding in the background. However, make sure you use only reputable software and use it only after updating to its latest version. In the future, it will help you to detect all potential threats and before they manage to enter your device.
Proper SecuryBrowse removal also requires resetting your web browser to its previous state. Potentially unwanted programs tend to renew themselves after rebooting the computer, so make sure you fully perform PUP's removal from the system.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. 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.
Getting rid of SecuryBrowse. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Get rid of this browser hijacker from your Windows OS:
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
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.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- 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” -Verbose
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.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Eliminate unwanted redirects by following SecuryBrowse removal steps:
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- 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.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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
Follow these steps if you want to delete Search.securybrowse.com for good:
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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of SecuryBrowse registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting browser hijacker
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
- ^ ZonderVirus. Zondervirus. Spyware news.
- ^ Bundled software. Webopedia. Online Tech Dictionary.
- ^ Browser hijacking. Techopedia. IT and business education.