How to remove Search Secure

Easy methods to find and delete Search Secure browser hijacker

Threat Summary

Here, you will be guided with easy & recommended methods to find and remove Search Secure adware in Windows 10/8/7 computer. Also, you can read about actually what this application is, what it does, how did you get this infection in Windows computer, and then you can go with our instructions to get rid of it.

If you are unaware, Search Secure is unwanted browser extension that is belongs to browser hijacker family. This nasty application is designed to redirect you to scam/questionable websites and collect your browsing-related data or other sensitive information. So, this malware removal is necessary.

Search Secure or ‘securesearch.site’ as browser hijacker – able to make several unwanted changes in browser’s settings

It is similar to ‘search.hr’ browser hijacker that is designed to promote addresses of some fake search engines by modifying the default homepage, new tab URLs and search engine of your browser. This nasty browser extension can be installed from other software package which is downloaded from unofficial sources.

Once installed, they will start making several changes in browser’s settings and/or System’s settings without your knowledge. As browser hijacker, it hijacks your main browser including Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari and other browsers.

This dubious application redirects you to malicious websites that are designed to run certain scripts to install PUAs, adware or malware in your computer. It redirects initially your browser’s search to ‘search.hr’, then to ‘feed2.traffisco.com’, and then to ‘search.quicknetsearch.com’. After that, this dubious browser extension redirects you to ‘PlusNetwork Page’ or ‘PlusNetwork.com’ that displays always bogus results.

‘Securesearch.site’ is also designed to monitor your online activities and collect your browsing-related data or other sensitive information. They use these collected data for market analysis. It might also cause these URLs redirections to collected related ads from ad networks. They also force you to use questionable search engine that mostly delivers sponsored results.

This rough application runs malicious advertisements in your browser and tricks you into visiting sponsored or questionable websites. It delivers ads or popups in the form of banners, coupons, fake software updates, fake security alert messages, and other types of advertisements. These malicious advertisements can also be appeared on your desktop even when browser is closed.

Some suspicious ads are designed to run certain scripts to install potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), adware or malware in your computer, while some malicious ads redirect you to other rough websites. Once clicked, the attackers behind this redirect virus also attempt to make several changes in browser’s settings, as mentioned above. It also prevents you from the revert the changes means you can’t undo the changes made.

In sort, this dubious application is not safe for your online privacy & System security. It is important to find and delete all threats or files associated with this rough application in computer as soon as possible to prevent System from further attacks.

How did you get Search Secure browser hijacker in Windows computer?

In some cases, potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), adware or malware like Settings-chrome.com browser hijacker are downloaded/installed from unofficial sources, peer-to-peer file sharing network, fake software updaters, installers, and downloaders, and other third parties’ sources. These rough applications can also be distributed through other software packages as additional offers.

If you ignore terms & conditions included in software installation setup, skip ‘Custom/Advanced/Manual’ settings and other necessary settings during installation, then you also install all additional programs included in software package into computer and this way, all malicious additional programs or unnecessary programs can also be installed.

But it is possible to avoid the installation of all malicious additions that are included in software package. To do so, you should choose ‘Custom/Advanced/Manual’ settings instead of choosing ‘Recommended/Quick/Express’ settings in software installation setup, and remove all malicious additions by unticking their checkboxes in these settings.

On other hand, this rough application or malware can also be installed from malicious advertisements that are designed to run certain scripts. So, you should be alert while browsing internet and avoid downloading/installing or updating any applications from unofficial/unknown sources, and stop clicking ads/links/buttons displayed by rough websites.

Windows computer is infected with Search Secure redirect virus: What next?

Note that cybercriminals never notify you actually when they will start trigging malware or viruses, monitoring your online activities, and collecting data. So, it is your responsibility to be alert from any attacks and double-check the sources before sharing your data.

As mentioned, PUAs, browser hijacker or malware can be downloaded/installed from unofficial/unknown websites. So, it strongly recommended you to double-research the software before downloaded/installation or purchase. Any applications must be downloaded from official sources or via direct links, and choose always ‘Custom/Advanced/Manual’ installation if you want to avoid browser hijackers or malware.

If System is already infected with this type of unwanted extensions or malware, then you can find and remove all of them with our instructions. Here, you are provided with both automatic and manual method of malware removal. Automatic method means you can find all threats including latest malware in each System location with some powerful antivirus software, and then you can delete all detected threats with single-click.

If you want to find and remove infections manually in Windows computer, then you can go with manual method offers you can find Search Secure related malware in control panel, System registry, Windows startup and other System locations, and then you can delete them.

But manual method is time consuming process and requires lot of technical knowledge. So if you don’t have enough time to implement manual steps, you can go with automatic method. After System scan is completed, please check if the trouble is resolved, and if not, then you can re-scan your computer for malware or viruses with antivirus software.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows Click Here For Mac

Important Note: This malware asks you to enable the web browser notifications. So, before you go the manual removal process, execute these steps.

Google Chrome (PC)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the Menu button
• Select “Settings”. Scroll the mouse downward to choose “Advanced” option
• Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward and then select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
• Find each suspicious URLs and click on three dots on the right side and choose “Block” or “Remove” option

Google Chrome (Android)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the menu button and then click on “Settings”
• Scroll down further to click on “site settings” and then press on “notifications” option
• In the newly opened window, choose each suspicious URLs one by one
• In the permission section, select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button

Mozilla Firefox

• On the right corner of the screen, you will notice three dots which is the “Menu” button
• Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” in the toolbar present in the left side of the screen
• Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then choose “Settings” option next to “Notifications”
• In the newly opened window, select all the suspicious URLs. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block”

Internet Explorer

• In the Internet Explorer window, select the Gear button present on the right corner
• Choose “Internet Options”
• Select “Privacy” tab and then “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
• Select all the suspicious URLs one by one and click on the “Remove” option

Microsoft Edge

• Open the Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots on the right corner of the screen to open the menu
• Scroll down and select “Settings”
• Scroll down further to choose “view advanced settings”
• In the “Website Permission” option, click on “Manage” option
• Click on switch under every suspicious URL

Safari (Mac):

• On the upper right side corner, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences”
• Go to “website” tab and then choose “Notification” section on the left pane
• Search for the suspicious URLs and choose “Deny” option for each one of them

Manual Steps to Remove Search Secure:

Remove the related items of Search Secure using Control-Panel

Windows 7 Users

Click “Start” (the windows logo at the bottom left corner of the desktop screen), select “Control Panel”. Locate the “Programs” and then followed by clicking on “Uninstall Program”

Windows XP Users

Click “Start” and then choose “Settings” and then click “Control Panel”. Search and click on “Add or Remove Program’ option

Windows 10 and 8 Users:

Go to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click. In the “Quick Access” menu, choose “Control Panel”. In the newly opened window, choose “Program and Features”

Mac OSX Users

Click on “Finder” option. Choose “Application” in the newly opened screen. In the “Application” folder, drag the app to “Trash”. Right click on the Trash icon and then click on “Empty Trash”.

In the uninstall programs window, search for the PUAs. Choose all the unwanted and suspicious entries and click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

After you uninstall all the potentially unwanted program causing Search Secure issues, scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs or possible malware infection. To scan the PC, use the recommended the anti-malware tool.

How to Remove Adware (Search Secure) from Internet Browsers

Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from IE

Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and click on “Remove”.

Additional Option

If you still face issues related to Search Secure removal, you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.

Windows XP users: Press on “Start” and click “Run”. In the newly opened window, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on the “Advanced” tab and then press on “Reset”.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the start search box and press enter.  In the newly opened window, click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.

For Windows 8 Users: Open IE and click on the “gear” icon. Choose “Internet Options”

Select the “Advanced” tab in the newly opened window

Press on “Reset” option

You have to press on the “Reset” button again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE

Remove Doubtful and Harmful Extension from Google Chrome

Go to menu of Google Chrome by pressing on three vertical dots and select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. You can search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.

Optional Method

If the problems related to Search Secure still persists or you face any issue in removing, then it is advised that your reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dotted points at the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.

At the bottom, notice the “Reset” option and click on it.

In the next opened window, confirm that you want to reset the Google Chrome settings by click on the “Reset” button.

Remove Search Secure plugins (including all other doubtful plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla

Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”.  Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.

Optional Method

If you face problems in Search Secure removal then you have the option to rese the settings of Mozilla Firefox.

Open the browser (Mozilla Firefox) and click on the “menu” and then click on “Help”.

Choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button

The next step is to confirm that really want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to its default by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.

Remove Malicious Extension from Safari

Open the Safari and go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.

Click on the “Extension” and select all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall”.

Optional Method

Open the “Safari” and go menu. In the drop-down menu, choose “Clear History and Website Data”.

In the newly opened window, select “All History” and then press on “Clear History” option.

Delete Search Secure (malicious add-ons) from Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all the recently installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”

Optional Method

Open the browser (Microsoft Edge) and select “Settings”

Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button

Click on “show more” and then select everything and then press on “Clear” button.

Conclusion

In most cases, the PUPs and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only choose developers website only while downloading any kind of free applications.  Choose custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.