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Safer-Surf Ads

Also Known As: Ads by Safer-Surf
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Safer-Surf?

Developed by Revizer Technologies Ltd, Safer-Surf is a browser add-on claiming to prevent children from entering websites containing adult content. Although this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that this software is considered to be a rogue browser extension.

Safer-Surf is compatible with Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox and employs a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional applications together with the chosen software) to install on Internet browsers without users' permission.

Following successful infiltration, Safer-Surf generates various intrusive online advertisements including banner, pop-up, sponsored link, and shopping deal ads.

Furthermore, users' Internet browsing activity is continually monitored, since this rogue browser add-on records various personally identifiable information such as IP and MAC addresses, locations, hardware information, default search engines, search queries entered, URLs visited, pages viewed, and other similar details.

This behavior may lead to serious privacy issues, identity theft, or malware infections. To protect children from entering adult websites, use legitimate anti-virus or anti-spyware software (which includes parental controls), rather than unidentified browser extensions. 

safer-surf adware

To avoid installation of unwanted browser toolbars and rogue plug-ins, which may cause intrusive online advertisements or redirects to potentially dangerous websites, Internet users should pay close attention during the download and installation of free software - closely observe each step of the process and decline permission for changes to your browser settings.

Although Safer-Surf is not directly linked to malware or virus infections, there is a high probability that ads caused by this rogue browser add-on are infective. Therefore you are strongly advised to remove this potentially unwanted application from your Internet browsers.

Most potentially unwanted applications such as Safer-Surf install together with the free software downloaded from freeware download websites including download.com, soft32.com, softonic.com, and many others.

Furthermore, most current freeware download websites employ small programs called 'download clients' to monetize their free services by offering installation of promoted browser extensions together with the chosen free software. In most cases, careless download and installation of freeware leads to adware or malware infections.

This situation can be prevented by closely inspecting each step when downloading freeware and clicking the 'Decline' button when installation of additional programs is offered. When installing downloaded software, select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options and opt-out of installation of any additional applications.

If you have already installed Safer-Surf, and observe random intrusive online advertisements when surfing the Internet, follow this removal guide to eliminate Safe-Surf adware from your Internet browsers.

Deceptive free software installers used in Safer-Surf adware distribution:

safersurf adware installer sample 3 safersurf adware installer sample 2 safersurf adware installer

Safer-Surf adware generating intrusive online ads ('Ads by Safer-Surf'):

safersurf adware generating banner ads

safer-surf adware genrating in-text ads

SaferSurf potentially unwanted application generates ads from the following sources: Dealply, Superfish, Jollywallet, Text Enhance, GetDeal, Daily Offer Service, IRobinhood, PriceSparrow, and CouponBuddy.

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Quick menu:

Safer-Surf adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

SaferSurf uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "Safer-Surf", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes Safer-Surf ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove Safer-Surf adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Google Chrome logo Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing SaferSurf from Google Chrome step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome options icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate: "Safer-Surf", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Removing SaferSurf from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by safer-surf, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logo Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing SaferSurf from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click on the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window remove "Safer-Surf".

Removing SaferSurf from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by safer-surf removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, firefox menu icon in the opened menu, click Help.

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

removing adware from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

removing adware from safari step 2 - removing extensions

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

resetting safari step 1

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by safer-surf, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

  • If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

declining installation of adware while downloading free software sampleCommonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Ads by Safer-Surf QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by Safer-Surf on your mobile device.
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