Safesurfs.net hosts a set of popular online services. It provides instant access to search engines, social networks, and online superstores. The concept has too many implementations as such online hubs collect information on browsing habits.
This data is a precious commodity if sold freely. The implications of such data marketing challenge your privacy and even security. It is good to note the identity of the party behind the website is unknown. Hence, in the case of any abuse, there is nobody to blame.
To say the least, few users are happy about visiting the above URL. It keeps on loading into their browsers, though. The power behind the tie proves to be a tiny application. Marketed as a browser helper object, the program actually hijacks the web-navigation software. It exercises extended control over any browser. That is to say; the hijacking is not limited to the above redirect only.
The payload assigned to the malicious browser helper object includes communication with the remote server. The same node receives the data from Safesurfs.net. The communication is mutual. The affected computer not only sends packets but also receives them. You can imagine the content of incoming data.
Removal of Safesurfs.net is not about your browsing convenience. It is critical to remove Safesurfs.net; otherwise, you tolerate huge privacy and security risks.
The adware arrives on host machine leveraging a variety of infiltration tactics. That suggests a number of actors engaged in the hijacker propagation. The most common infection vector leverages a so-called bundled download. The scenario features a download of any popular free content. For instance, users may at will download a free tool for grabbing YouTube video. There are countless options of the relevant software.
The publisher of video grabber allows third parties to attach their content to the download manager for reward. That’s it! A smart installation wizard guides unsuspecting victims to the quick introduction. If you choose default installation conditions, the adware infiltrates your PC with your formal consent. That, of course, does not mean you are not authorized to get rid of Safesurfs.net hijacker. Quite in contrary, kindly follow the guidance below to kill the bad redirect. The procedure fits any browser and destroys the very kernel of cyber infection.
Automatic removal of Safesurfs.net infection
The benefits of using the automatic security suite to get rid of this infection are obvious: it scans the entire system and detects all potential fragments of the virus, so you are a few mouse clicks away from a complete fix.
- Download and install recommended malware security suite
- Select Start Computer Scan feature and wait until the utility comes up with the scan report. Proceed by clicking on the Fix Threats button, which will trigger a thorough removal process to address all the malware issues compromising your computer and your privacy.
Get rid of Safesurfs.net using Windows native uninstall feature
- Select Control Panel entry in the Windows Start menu. Go to Programs and Features (Windows 8), Uninstall a program (Windows Vista / Windows 7) or Add or Remove Programs (Windows XP)
- On the Uninstall or change a program screen, find the entry for Safesurfs.net or any similar-looking new application. Select it and click Uninstall/Change
- Be advised this technique works well for the regular applications but might be inefficient for removing malicious programs.
Remove Safesurfs.net virus from web browser
The workflow below is intended to eliminate malicious objects, such as add-ons or plugins, from the browsers that got impacted. Given the persistence-related features of this particular infection, the optimal workaround is to restore the affected browser’s settings to their original state. This will prevent the virus from further interfering with your preferences.
Safesurfs.net removal from Google Chrome
- Click the Chrome menu icon and select Settings
- When the Settings screen opens, find the link that says Show advanced settings and click on it
- Proceed by clicking on the Reset browser settings button
- For you to evade any unintended consequences of the reset, Chrome will display a note about the settings and fragments of browsing data that will be lost. Read the notification and click Reset in case you agree
- Restart Chrome.
Safesurfs.net removal from Mozilla Firefox
- Open Firefox and select Troubleshooting Information on the Help drop-down list
- Locate the sub-section titled Give Firefox a tune up and click on the Refresh Firefox button to proceed. Then confirm the transaction on the respective popup
- Restart Firefox.
Safesurfs.net removal from MS Internet Explorer
- Select Internet Options under Tools in IE
- Select the Advanced tab on Internet Options screen and click on the Reset button
- The browser will now display the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog. Review the points on what the resetting includes. Activate the option saying Delete personal settings and click on the Reset button as shown on the image
- Restart the computer
Verify thoroughness of the removal
Having carried out the instructions above, add a finishing touch to the security procedure by running an additional computer scan to check for residual malware activity.
