How to remove safepixsearch.com from hijacked browsers

What is safepixsearch.com?

Our analysis shows that safepixsearch.com is a fraudulent search engine. It is distributed via the Pix Search browser extension, which takes control of web browsers (hijacks them) by altering settings. Visiting safepixsearch.com can redirect users to unsafe websites. For these reasons, users are advised to avoid both safepixsearch.com and the Pix Search browser-hijacking extension.

Safepixsearch.com and Pix Search browser hijacker overview

Safepixsearch.com does not generate search results itself - it simply redirects queries to other websites. While it may sometimes lead to legitimate engines like search.yahoo.com, it can also send users to unsafe sites (e.g., pages designed to steal money or sensitive information), making it a fake and potentially malicious search engine.

The Pix Search extension, which promotes safepixsearch.com, functions as a browser hijacker by changing certain browser settings, including the homepage, default search engine, and new tab page. It may be built to block attempts to undo these modifications. Thus, users may not be able to remove safepixsearch.com while Pix Search is present/added.

Furthermore, Pix Search can read and change data on safepixsearch.com. This allows the extension to potentially alter what the user sees on the site, track interactions, or inject its own content or scripts, which can be used for tracking, data collection, or malicious purposes.

Additionally, Pix Search may gather data, including browsing activity, search queries, and personal information, which may be sold to third parties or misused for malicious purposes. Therefore, if a browser is hijacked by Pix Search, the extension (and safepixsearch.com) should be removed as soon as possible to prevent potential issues.

Conclusion

Safepixsearch.com is a fake search engine that redirects queries to other sites, sometimes unsafe ones. The Pix Search extension promotes it and acts as a browser hijacker, changing settings, tracking activity, and potentially collecting personal data. To avoid security and privacy risks, both Pix Search and safepixsearch.com should be removed immediately.

Here are additional examples of fake search engines: browsingsafety.net, searchsafelypro.net, and search.safelysearch.net.

How did Pix Search install on my computer?

Browser hijackers and other unwanted programs are often included with free or unreliable software. Users who do not carefully choose installation settings may unintentionally install or add the offered browser hijackers (or other components). This distribution method is called bundling.

Misleading advertisements, fake pop-ups, untrustworthy websites, unofficial app stores, peer-to-peer networks, and third-party downloaders are other common ways browser hijackers are distributed. Users frequently add them without realizing it.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Regularly update your operating system and applications to patch security vulnerabilities. Use trusted antivirus or anti-malware programs to perform routine scans. Only download software from official sources or well-known app stores, and carefully review installation steps to prevent adding unwanted programs.

Avoid visiting suspicious websites and do not click on their links, pop-ups, or ads. Additionally, block notifications from untrustworthy or suspicious websites. If your computer is already infected with Pix Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Safepixsearch.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):

Permissions asked by Pix Search browser hijacker:

Website promoting Pix Search browser hijacker:

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:

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.

Quick menu:

• What is safepixsearch.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Pix Search application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Pix Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove safepixsearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove safepixsearch.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Pix 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the safepixsearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Pix Search browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Pix Search" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Pix Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.safepixsearch.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 "safepixsearch.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the pix search 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 extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Pix Search", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Pix Search", remove hxxp://safepixsearch.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 "Accept the Risk and Continue".

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 pix search 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 pix search 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users visit safepixsearch.com website?

Driving users to safepixsearch.com mainly serves financial interests, including ad revenue, data collection, and redirection to risky websites.

Is visiting safepixsearch.com a threat to my privacy?

Visiting safepixsearch.com can result in privacy risks and other issues, as the fake search engine may collect various types of user data and redirect users to websites designed to steal information.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are frequently bundled with untrustworthy programs or spread via misleading ads, pop-ups, and unofficial download channels like third-party sites or app stores. Most users add them unknowingly by not checking installation settings and proceeding with defaults.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Pix Search browser hijacker?

Combo Cleaner is effective at detecting and removing browser hijackers. Since multiple hijackers can be designed to reinstall each other, removing all of them together is crucial (if there is more than one hijacker present).