Safebrowsing.biz is meant to track back your search queries and log other online activities. A sophisticated application dropped into computer systems supports the above website. Once introduced, the newcomer modifies a bunch of Internet settings ensuring automated redirects to the URL.
The page annoys its visitors as they are forced to view it instead of the new tab and default search and home page. Needless to say, the name of the website sound as a refined mockery.
So far, we have considered the issue in terms of how irksome it could be. Is it safe? That could be the question.
In fact, it is not safe at all. The website belongs to the pool of domains utilized by the hackers for collecting your browsing data. The logs recorded that way are sold to the advertisers who claim to be legitimate entities. The latter rather limit the use of the data to match the ads displayed at the websites you surf with your alleged profile. So, what’s wrong with your safety?
The greatest issue about the redirect to Safebrowsing.biz is that it may further send you to the websites promoted by the third parties. Those third party pages are not a verified content. True, the initial URL does not contain any viral codes to be dropped into your PC. However, the pages it refers to may readily be compromised or initially designed to contain a viral script. Hence, the removal of Safebrowsing.biz goes beyond the privacy and browsing convenience. It is also a matter of ensuring the safety of your browsing.
The redirects to Safebrowsing.biz occur in a certain browser. Thereby, the victims tend to associate the scam with a particular web-surfing software. To make things clear, the redirects are powered by a hijacker virus. The infection is a stand-alone application. It does not belong to any browser.
On the other hand, the malicious application actually affects the browser settings. A proper way to get rid of Safebrowsing.biz redirect shall target both the hijacker and the settings it has modified. Please consult the guidance below for further insight.
Automatic removal of Safebrowsing.biz 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 Safebrowsing.biz 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 Safebrowsing.biz 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 Safebrowsing.biz 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.
Safebrowsing.biz 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.
Safebrowsing.biz 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.
Safebrowsing.biz 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.
