How to remove the Keep Secure Search browser hijacker and its redirects
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Keep Secure Search?
Our researchers found the Keep Secure Search browser extension while inspecting deceptive download webpages. After analyzing this piece of software, we determined that it is a browser hijacker promoting the keepsecuresearch.com fake search engine.
Keep Secure Search browser hijacker overview
With Keep Secure Search installed onto our test machine, every new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar - resulted in a redirect to the keepsecuresearch.com site. Browser-hijacking software operates by making modifications to browser settings in order to promote its search engines.
Furthermore, keepsecuresearch.com is incapable of generating search results. We observed it redirecting to the legitimate Yahoo search engine (search.yahoo.com). However, keepsecuresearch.com might land elsewhere since redirects can be dictated by certain factors (e.g., user geolocation).
What is more, Keep Secure Search uses persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers.
Most browser hijackers spy on users' browsing activity, and Keep Secure Search is not an exception. Information of interest can include: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, usernames/passwords, financial/banking data, and so forth. The collected data is then monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
To summarize, the presence of data-tracking software on devices can lead to serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Keep Secure Search |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Detection Names | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Browser Extension(s) | Keep Secure Search, Secure |
| Promoted URL | keepsecuresearch.com |
| Serving IP Address (keepsecuresearch.com) | 172.67.148.205 |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Browser hijacker examples
We have analyzed thousands of browser hijackers; Keep It Smart, Cool Search, and FortSearch are just a couple of examples.
Browser-hijacking software looks legitimate and offers "handy" features. However, these functions seldom work as advertised, and in most cases - they are utterly nonoperational. Therefore, not only are browser hijackers useless, but they also pose a threat to device/user safety.
How did Keep Secure Search install on my computer?
We obtained Keep Secure Search from a dubious download webpage. Browser hijackers are often promoted through such pages and scam websites. Users typically enter these sites via mistyped URLs, webpages using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or installed adware.
Additionally, intrusive advertisements are used to proliferate browser-hijacking software. When clicked on, some of these ads can make stealthy downloads/installations.
Browser hijackers are also spread using the "bundling" marketing tactic - packing regular software with unwanted/malicious additions. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
We strongly advise researching software and downloading only from official/verified sources. Installation processes must be approached with care, e.g., by reading terms, inspecting available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all supplements.
Another recommendation is to exercise caution when browsing - as illegitimate and malicious content tends to look harmless. For example, intrusive advertisements appear legitimate yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
If you experience such ads/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Keep Secure Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Website promoting Keep Secure Search browser hijacker:
Appearance of keepsecuresearch.com redirecting to the Yahoo search engine (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is Keep Secure Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Keep Secure Search application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Keep Secure Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove keepsecuresearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove keepsecuresearch.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Keep Secure Search browser hijacker 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 suspicious applications (for example, "Keep Secure Search"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the keepsecuresearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Keep Secure Search browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Keep Secure Search browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Keep Secure Search" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Keep Secure Search" (or simply "Secure"), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.keepsecuresearch.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
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 the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "keepsecuresearch.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the keepsecuresearch.com redirect, 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 plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "Keep Secure Search", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.
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 disable "Keep Secure Search", remove hxxp://keepsecuresearch.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your 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: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with keepsecuresearch.com redirect 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 keepsecuresearch.com redirect, 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users to visit keepsecuresearch.com website?
Cyber criminals (i.e., developers of browser hijackers and fake search engines) generate revenue via redirects to sites like keepsecuresearch.com.
Is visiting keepsecuresearch.com a threat to my privacy?
Most likely, yes. Websites like keepsecuresearch.com typically collect information about their visitors.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are primarily distributed through software bundling, deceptive promotional sites, online scams, freeware and third-party download websites, P2P sharing networks (e.g., Torrent clients, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), fake updates, spam browser notifications, and intrusive adverts.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Keep Secure Search browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might be ineffective when multiple browser hijackers are present. In some instances, when one browser hijacker is removed - the others simply re-install it. What is more, removal-related settings might be inaccessible with browser-hijacking software installed. Hence, browser hijackers must be eliminated thoroughly and all at once.
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