Searchsafe.com Redirect

What is searchsafe.com?

Searchsafe.com is supposedly an Internet search website that does not track Internet search queries, thereby allowing users to remain anonymous. In fact, searchsafe.com is categorized as a browser hijacker and there are a number of reasons for these negative associations.

Firstly, claims to provide useful features are simply to give the impression of legitimate and useful software - these claims are false. Furthermore, the developers distribute this rogue app by employing the 'bundling' method, thus, searchsafe.com is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP).

After successful installation, this browser hijacker demonstrates dubious behavior and is a potential threat to users. Searchsafe.com modifies Internet browser settings, diminishes browser or even computer performance, causes unwanted redirects, displays intrusive ads, and tracks Internet browsing activity.

After infiltration on popular Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox), this browser hijacker assigns the default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL to searchsafe.com. Furthermore, it installs small applications called 'helper objects' designed to prevent users from reverting these changes.

When users open the Internet browser, or simply a new browser tab, they are redirected to searchsafe.com without their consent. This greatly diminishes the Internet browsing experience. Claims that searchsafe.com does not track Internet searches are false.

In fact, search queries is the main information type gathered by this website. It also records websites visited, pages viewed, Internet browser type, cookies, operating system type, installed software, and other types of data. This collected information might be personally identifiable (for instance, containing bank account details) and can be misused by third parties.

Therefore, the Internet browsing session can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Be aware that searchsafe.com contains various advertisements (possibly infectious) that may be in the form of buttons, gadgets, apps, links to other sites, etc. Clicking these advertisement can lead to high-risk computer infections through redirections to bogus sites.

Searchsafe.com is a potential threat to users' browsing privacy and personal identity, and therefore, should never be used. If you feel that your browser is hijacked, and you are continually redirected to this site, follow the instructions below to eliminate this threat immediately.

There are hundreds of browser hijacking apps, all of which have similar or identical behavior. Plug-ins such as searchsafe.com, myemailxp.com, hotsearches.info, myweatherxp.com, and many others claim to improve users' Internet browsing experience, however, they are designed to infiltrate the system, generate ads, cause unwanted browser redirects, and collect personal data.

These applications employ the 'Pay Per Click' (PPC) advertising model - when users click displayed ads, developers receive specific payments. Collected data is later sold to third parties - another means to generate revenue. Browser hijacking apps are often bundled with free software on freeware download websites such as downloads.com, soft32.com, softonic.com, etc.

These sites employ small 'download programs' as traffic and free services monetization tools. Download programs supposedly 'simplify and speed-up' the download procedure, however, these programs are used to distribute third party software.

How did searchsafe.com install on my computer?

The developers of this browser hijacker employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling', which allows them to stealthily install it together with regular (usually free) software without users' permission. This method is often used to monetize freeware download websites, or the actual free software.

Research shows that many users rush the download and installation procedures of free software. The bundling method is thus very effective to conceal third party software within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options (which are mostly skipped by users). In some instances, this additional software is hidden - users are not provided with any information regarding the installation.

The developers aim to distribute as many rogue apps as possible, and therefore, are not concerned with proper discloser of installations. Lack of attention when downloading and installing software often leads to inadvertent installation of bogus apps such as browser hijackers.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

This type of application should be downloaded from the official website only. If you must download from a freeware download website, inspect each step of the free software download procedure, since these sites often force users to use download programs that include third party applications together with the chosen software.

Note that some freeware download websites provide a direct download link, which should be used rather than download programs. Furthermore, pay close attention when installing software, and select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options - this will reveal any third party software listed for installation and allow you to opt-out.

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Quick menu:

• What is searchsafe.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall potentially unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove searchsafe.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove searchsafe.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove searchsafe.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove searchsafe.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Searchsafe.com redirect removal:

Windows 11 users:

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:

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:

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:

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.

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently-installed potentially unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes browser redirects to the searchsafe.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Searchsafe.com homepage and default Internet search engine removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser hijackers:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Remove searchsafe.com related Internet Explorer add-ons:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select such entries and click "Remove".

Fix Internet Explorer shortcut target:

This browser hijacker changes the "Target" field of the Internet Explorer shortcut. To fix this, locate the shortcut on your Desktop and click the right mouse button over it. In the opened menu, choose "Properties". In the opened window, locate the Target field and eliminate text (hxxp://www.searchsafe.com/...), which is entered after "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe".

Change your homepage:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://www.searchsafe.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open every time you launch Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing" or any other preferred search engine as your default, then remove "Search".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchsafe.com browser hijacker, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Remove searchsafe.com related Google Chrome extensions:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Fix Google Chrome shortcut target:

This browser hijacker modifies the "Target" field of the Google Chrome shortcut. To fix this, locate the shortcut on your Desktop and click the right mouse button over it. In the opened menu, choose "Properties". In the opened window, locate the Target field and eliminate all text (hxxp://www.searchsafe.com/...), which is entered after "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe"

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, click "set pages", hover your mouse over hxxp://www.searchsafe.com and click the x symbol. Now, you can add your preferred website as your homepage.

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in "Search" section, click "Manage Search Engines...", remove "searchsafe" and add or select your preferred Internet search engine.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchsafe.com browser hijacker, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the 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.

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

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

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Remove searchsafe.com related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove any recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Fix Mozilla Firefox shortcut target:

This browser hijacker changes the "Target" field of the Mozilla Firefox shortcut. To fix this, locate the shortcut on your Desktop and click the right mouse button over it. In the opened menu, choose "Properties". In the opened window, locate the Target field and eliminate all text (hxxp://www.searchsafe.com/...), which is entered after "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) then select "Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://www.searchsafe.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "searchsafe"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with searchsafe.com browser hijacker removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

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

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

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

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

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

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

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...

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

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the searchsafe.com browser hijacker, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

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.

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

Summary:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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