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Surf Safely Ads

Also Known As: SurfSafely Adware
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Surf Safely?

Developed by Intriguing Apps, Surf Safely is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) claiming to protect user-browsing by blocking malware and spyware infections. Although this rogue browser add-on may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that Surf Safely is considered to be adware.

This PUP employs a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) to install on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without users' permission.

Following successful infiltration, Surf Safely generates various intrusive online advertisements including interstitial, banner, targeted video, pop-up ads, and offers to download other PUPs considered to be adware. There is a high probability that clicking these advertisements will lead to high-risk adware or malware infections.

Surf Safely adware

Surf Safely continually monitors users' Internet browsing activity by recording various software and hardware information including search queries entered into search engines (Bing, Google, etc.), URLs visited, pages viewed, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (to track geographic locations), unique identifier numbers, and other similar details that may be be personally identifiable.

Surf Safely is similar to other rogue browser add-ons claiming to improve users' Internet browsing experience by enabling certain functions. Safe Browse, Browse Secure, Protect Surf, and Web Safeguard are just a few examples amongst many others.

None of these, including Surf Safely, add any real value for the user - their purpose is to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online advertisements. The behavior of these rogue browser add-ons may result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft, and therefore, you are strongly advised to uninstall Surf Safely from your Internet browsers.

At time of research, Surf Safely was distributed via fake downloads (Java updates, browser updates, etc.) and other rogue browser plug-ins such as Coupon Server, Browser Guardian, Solid Savings, and other savings and coupon related adware.

It was also distributed via small download programs called 'download clients' used by freeware download websites including download.com, soft32.com, softonic.com, etc.

Download clients are employed to monetize these websites' free services, since they offer installation of advertised (according to Intriguing Apps, '100% virus-free') browser extensions together with the chosen free software. Thus, careless download and installation of freeware risks computer infection with adware or malware.

This situation can be prevented by closely inspecting each step of the freeware download process and never accepting installation of any additional programs offered.

If you are installing downloaded software, select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options, rather than 'Typical' or 'Quick' - this will reveal any bundled applications listed for installation and allow you to decline them. Internet users who have already installed Surf Safely should read the following removal guide to eliminate this adware from their Internet browsers.

Deceptive free software installers used in Surf Safely adware distribution:

surfsafely adware installer sample 3 surfsafely adware installer sample 3 surfsafely adware installer sample 2 surfsafely adware installer

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Quick menu:

Surf Safely 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.

surf safely adware uninstall via Control Panel

In the uninstall programs window, look for "Surf Safely" (or other potentially unwanted applications - at time of testing, Surf Safely ads were generated by various coupon ads-displaying adware), select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

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

Remove Surf Safely adware from Internet browsers:

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

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing Surf Safely ads from Internet Explorer step 1

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "Surf Safely", select this entry and click "Remove". Note that Surf Safely ads can be caused by other adware. In the Manage Add-ons window, remove all suspicious browser add-ons.

Removing Surf Safely ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the surfsafely adware, 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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

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

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

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

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing Surf Safely ads 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: "Surf Safely", select this entry and click the trash can icon. Note that Surf Safely ads can be caused by other adware. In the "extensions" window of Google Chrome, remove all suspicious browser extensions.

Removing Surf Safely ads from Google Chrome step 2

If you are unable to remove Surf Safely (or any other add-on) and it is greyed-out ("Installed by enterprise policy"), follow this removal guide - how to remove a Google Chrome extension that is "Installed by enterprise policy"?

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the surfsafely adware, 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 logoRemove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing Surf Safely ads from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click 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 "Surf Safely". Note that Surf Safely ads can be generated by other adware. In the "Add-ons Manager" window, remove all suspicious browser add-ons.

Removing Surf Safely ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with surfsafely adware 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 surfsafely adware, 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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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

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

QR Code
SurfSafely Adware QR code
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