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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Browser Hijackers
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Jan 2020

How to remove Website Security Checker

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Linas Kiguolis · Expert in social media

Website Security Checker – a browser hijacker that sets the default engine to browsersecuritycenter.com

Website Security Checker

Website Security Checker is categorized as a browser hijacker[1] that presents itself as an extension that detects malicious websites. The program is promoted as a free browsing tool that offers online protection. However, the true aim of this PUP is to set the default search engine to browsersecuritycenter.com. It is known that the new search provider shows search results via Bing.com which is a legitimate engine. Regarding this fact, there is no point to use Website Security Checker instead of regular search engines as the app will bring more disadvantages than positive things. The promised security feature is just one small benefit from all the potentially unwanted activities that can be performed by the PUP.

Name Website Security Checker
Type Browser hijacker/potentially unwanted program
Aim To modify browser settings such as the default search engine, new tab URL, homepage. Also, to provide intrusive advertising posts, redirect the user to affiliate locations, and collect information that relates to the user's browsing sessions
Search engine Once web browsers such as Google Chrome and others are hijacked, the default search engine is set to browsersecuritycenter.com which redirects search query results to Bing.com
Spreading The browser extension can be found on Google Chrome Web Store, however, it is more likely to appear through bundled freeware or shareware, infectious hyperlinks and advertisements
Elimination There are two ways to get rid of the browser hijacker: manual and automatical. You can employ reliable removal software or use the manual step-by-step guidelines that have been appended to the end of this article
Repair tip If you have discovered any signs of system compromisation, you can try repairing the affected components with the help of software such as FortectIntego

Website Security Checker is a rogue extension that is promoted on the Google Chrome Web Store. Even though you can directly download the app from this directory, it is more likely to infiltrate your computer system by using a deceptive marketing strategy known as “software bundling”[2] and come in a package of freeware or shareware.

Website Security Checker Search applies changes to web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. The default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL are set to browsersecuritycenter.com. Then, users are forced to use the new search zone for completing search queries. 

Continuously, Website Security Checker virus adds bogus extensions and plug-ins to the browser settings. These products initiate rogue modifications in the search sections and can be responsible for other activities such as the display of advertising content during online sessions, redirecting to affiliate domains, etc.

Website Security Checker can also insert tracking objects such as beacons, pixels, and HTTP cookies.[3] These products can start recording browsing-related data such as most commonly clicked hyperlinks, adverts accessed, websites visited, bookmarks saved, offers searched, platforms entered, IP address, browser type, OS type, geolocation, etc.

Website Security Checker browser hijacker

The developers of Website Security Checker might use this type of information for getting the user involved in targeted advertising campaigns. The browser hijacker can display a wide range of offers and deals that are related to the user's online and browsing information. This way the developers can gather more clicks on their ads.

Additionally, redirecting can also occur from Website Security Checker and browsersecuritycenter.com domain. The redirects aim to take the user to sponsored websites and affiliate sources. However, the worst part about these redirecting sessions is that you can accidentally land on a malware-laden website and get your computer infected with dangerous malware.

Continuously, Website Security Checker might bring other PUPs to your computer system such as adware, browser hijackers, etc. The fact that you have caught this type of infection unknowingly signifies that your machine lacks required security which can sooner or later relate to a more complex computer virus intrusion.

The best way to avoid the risk of additional PUP invasion is to remove Website Security Checker from your computer system and web browsers. This can be completed with the help of reliable antimalware tools or by using the manual step-by-step guidelines that are added at the end of this article. In case you spot some system corruption, try fixing the damaged content with FortectIntego.

Another reason to perform the Website Security Checker removal is the possibility that you will be facing frequent browser and computer struggles due to the enormous number of adverts, redirects, and other activities that are provided at the same time. This might happen if the energy of the central processing unit of your machine raises over 60%.

Website Security Checker virus

Spreading strategies used by browser hijacker developers 

Cybersecurity specialists from LosVirus.es[4] claim that browser hijackers can sometimes be found as extensions on official web shops such as the Google Chrome Web Store, App Store, and others. However, this is not the most common method of how potentially unwanted programs get delivered to computers.

Browser hijackers and other PUPs are commonly distributed via a deceptive strategy known as “software bundling” when the app comes as an additional product attached to a freeware or shareware package. This often happens when the “Recommended” downloading option is set as default.

Avoid downloading programs and services from third-party websites that are unknown or provide a questionable look. Also, always ensure that you have set the downloading configuration to “Advanced” where you will be able to track all incoming products and opt-out the unwanted ones.

Continuously, browser hijackers can also get distributed through infectious advertisements and hyperlinks that are found on rogue third-party websites. You should always be aware of web sources that are marked as unsafe to proceed with. Also, keep antimalware always running on your computer so that it can alert you about possible infections.

Website Security Checker virus removal techniques

You should perform Website Security Checker removal if this app has appeared on your computer system and web browsers without your own consent. The browser hijacker might have brought bogus components to web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Explorer that also need to be cleaned.

Also, you can diminish all the changes that were performed to your browser settings only be getting rid of the PUP permanently. You can use automatical software to remove Website Security Checker from your computer. These products will help you to get rid of the cyber threat within a couple of minutes.

You can also get rid of Website Security Checker virus with the help of manual step-by-step guidelines. We have provided some instructing steps below that should help you to clean both your browsers and computer system. However, if you are running into a lack of time, you should stick with the automatical elimination technique instead.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

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 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.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove 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 extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.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 Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the 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

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, search 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.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

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