Safesurfs(dot)net is a potential hoax search engine of a browser hijacker. While using Safesurfs(dot)Net, users get redirected through another hijacker. That’s probably a way to collect traffic information. If your homepage has been set to the SafeSurfs(dot)net search engine, your browser is likely hijacked. You can learn how to resolve the problem by reading this article
| Name |
|
| Main Domain Address |
SafeSurfs.Net |
| Solution #1 |
The easiest way to remove and other browser hijackers from your computer is with the help of an anti-malware tool. This software will also protect your computer from severe cyber threats like ransomware |
|
Solution #2 |
You can remove the browser hijacker by hand by carefully following all the guidelines of our step-by-step guide below. |
| Distribution |
PUPs, malicious ads, bundle packs. |
Safesurfs(Dot)Net – Distribution
There are a few ways in which Safesurfs(dot)net can get into a computer. The most common one is through bundled installs. That’s a popular method of “smuggling” unwanted software into the systems of inattentive users. It works by putting Potentially Unwanted Programs or PUPs, into the same installation .exe as a useful program. That way, if a user installs an application without checking the Custom or Advanced options in the wizard, he automatically agrees to the addition of these PUPs.
Another popular way of distributing hijackers such as SafeSurfs(dot)net is by malicious internet advertising on suspicious websites like torrent trackers, file sharing, sites with NSFW content. Avoid clicking on banners, pop-ups or any other type of web ads on these sites. Also, don’t download “special” applications for using mirror file-sharing sites.
SafeSurfs(Dot)Com – More Details
The main page of the Safesurfs(dot)net browser hijacker bears the same name. Here’s a screenshot:
On first glance, SafeSurfs(dot)net looks like a legit search engine, but if you look closely, some troubling signs begin to emerge. For starters, the buttons bellow the search bar contain redirects, which is probably a way to track advertising traffic. Another red light is that the search engine lacks its own database and redirects to Yahoo instead.
Probably the biggest indicator that Safesurfs(dot)net is a hoax search engine, and a browser hijackers are the lack of a Privacy Policy or Terms of Use on the main page. The inclusion of these documents is virtually unanimous for all legitimate websites. Their absence is very suspicious.
Hoax search engines are often used to collect data on their users or to display intrusive ads. They can collect a huge amount of data from the user, including their:
- Browser type
- Web searches
- IP address
- Interaction on social network sites
- Name and address
- ZIP code
- Physical Location
- Time zone
- Internet Service Provider
- Browser History
Developers of browser hijackers don’t care where this personal information goes, and they can sell it to whoever’s buying. The most common buyers of this information are unethical advertisers.
As you can see, browser hijackers like Safesurfs(dot)net aren’t only useless; they’re harmful to you and your computer system. That’s why their immediate removal is strongly advisable.
Safesurfs(Dot)Com – Removal
Removing a browser hijacker can be quite tricky, but it’s possible. You need to remove the hijacker completely, along with all of its components. You can try deleting all the little bits and pieces by hand, though that’s often time-consuming and can leave leftover files. The other way to remove hijackers and similar cyber-threats is to download an anti-malware tool. That will remove the malicious content and keep your system safe from this type of threat in the future.
How to Enter Safe Mode
How to Enter Safe Mode in the Windows XP, Vista, 7 Operating Systems
- Unplug devices such as USB flash drives, Memory Sticks, DVD’s, CD’s, anything that can be bootable
- Now you have to decide which of the following methods is right for your computer. If you have:
- –One operating system on your PC, then press F8 repeatedly when you see the first boot screen after restarting your computer. If the Windows logo appears, repeat the same action until you enter the
–Multiple operating systems on your computer. This is very similar to booting with a single operating system. Press F8 repeatedly when you see the first boot screen. You just have to use the arrow keys to choose which system you should boot. - When the Advanced Boot Options appear, you should select the Safe Mode option with the arrow keys. Confirm the selection by pressing Enter
- Log into your computer using the Administrator account
While you’re in safe mode, your screen will be windowed.
Booting into Safe Mode on the Windows 8, 8.1, and 10 Operating Systems
- Open the Start menu
- Hold down the Shift button and left-click on the Power icon, then click Restart
- After the reboot, the Startup menu will appear. From there, choose Troubleshoot
- From the Troubleshoot menu choose Advanced Options
- Once you’re in Advanced Options, click on Startup Settings
- Click Restart
- A menu should appear after the reboot. Choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding key number. The PC will restart and boot into Safe Mode.
Remove/Uninstall SafeSurfs(dot)netfrom Windows
Here’s a way to remove the program. This method will work regardless if you’re on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP. Simply selecting the program and pressing delete won’t work, as it’ll leave a lot of small files. That’s bad because these leftovers can linger on and cause all sorts of problems. The best way to delete a program is to Uninstall it. Here’s how you can do that:
- Hold the “Windows” button (It’s between CTRL and Alt on most keyboards) and press “R.” You’ll see a pop-up window
- In the textbox, type “appwiz.cpl”, then press “Enter.”
- The “Programs and features” menu should now appear. It’s a list of all the programs installed on the PC. Here you can find the program, select it, and press Uninstall.
Follow these instructions and you’ll be able to uninstall it successfully.
How to Remove SafeSurfs(dot)net from Your Browser
Before resetting your browser’s settings, you should know that this action will wipe out all your recorded usernames, passwords, and other types of data. Make sure to save them in some way
Internet Explorer
- Start Internet Explorer
- Go to the Tools menu and click on Manage add-ons.
- In the Manage add-ons window, bellow Add-on Types, select Toolbars and Extensions
- If you see a suspicious toolbar, select it and click Disable
- In Manage Add-ons window, in Add-on Types, Select Search Providers
- Chose a search engine and click Set as default
- Select the unknown search engine and click Remove and Close
- Open the Tools menu, select Internet Options
- In the General tab, in Home page, enter your preferred page
- Click Apply and OK
- On the desktop, right-click on Internet Explorer icon and select Properties
- In the Properties window, under the Shortcut tab, in Target delete the text after iexplore.exe
- Click Apply, click OK to save
- Click Close
- Start Google Chrome
- On the upper-right corner, there a Customize and Control Google Chrome menu icon. Click on it, then click on Settings
- Click Extension under Chrome
- In the Extensions menu, click on the unknown extensions, then click on the trash bin icon
- Under Chrome, Click on Settings
- In Settings, under on Startup click Set pages
- In the Startup pages menu, select the suspicious entries and click on X
- Click OK
- In Settings, under Appearance select the Show home button and click Change
- In the Home page menu, click Use New Tab page and press OK
- In the Settings window under Search, click on Manage search engines
- Once you enter Search engines, select your search engine of choice and click Make default
- In the default search settings list, find the unknown search engine and click on X
- Click Done
- Start Mozilla Firefox
- In the upper right corner, click on the Open menu icon and select Add-ons
- Inside the Add-ons Manager select Extensions
- Search the list of extensions for suspicious entries. If you find any, select them and click Disable
- Click on the Open menu icon, then click Options
- In the Options window, under General tab, Click Restore to Default
- Click OK
- In the Firefox window, right next to the URL field, click the down arrow icon. Select Manage Search Engines
- In Manage Search Engines List window, select the unknown search engine and press Remove
- Click OK
