How to remove the Safe2Search browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Safe2Search?
Safe2Search is a browser hijacker endorsed as an easy-to-use tool for increasing browsing security. However, it operates by making changes to browser settings in order to promote the search.safe2search.com fake search engine. Additionally, Safe2Search spies on users' browsing activity. Since most users download/install browser hijackers inadvertently, they are also classified as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).
Safe2Search browser hijacker in detail
Browser hijackers assign fake web searcher addresses as browsers' homepage, new tab/window, and default search engine URLs. To elaborate on how this affects browsing, with Safe2Search installed: new browser tabs/windows opened and search queries typed - redirect to search.safe2search.com.
Illegitimate search engines are usually unable to provide search results, so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) genuine ones. This applies to search.safe2search.com as well; it redirects to the legitimate Yahoo (search.yahoo.com) search engine.
Furthermore, browser hijackers can restrict or deny access to the browser settings. Alternatively, they can undo any changes users try to make to their browsers. Due to these persistence-ensuring techniques, it is impossible to recover a browser without removing the software hijacking it.
What is more, Safe2Search has data tracking abilities. Information of interest includes (but is not limited to): URLs visited, webpages viewed, search queries typed, IP addresses/ geolocations, and personally identifiable details. The gathered data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of data-tracking software on devices can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | Safe2Search |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Safe2Search |
| Supposed Functionality | Increased browsing security |
| Promoted URL | search.safe2search.com |
| Detection Names (search.safe2search.com) | Emsisoft (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Browser hijackers in general
YourSearchConverter, RadioSearchPro, DigitalPDFConverterSearch, and Start Movie DS are some examples of browser hijackers. They appear legitimate and harmless. Users are enticed into download/installation with offers of various "handy" functionalities, which are seldom operational.
Practically all PUAs use nonexistent features to lure users. The sole aim of unwanted apps is to generate revenue at user expense. Hence, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can modify browsers, cause redirects, run intrusive advertisement campaigns (adware), and collect private information.
How did Safe2Search install on my computer?
Some PUAs (e.g., Safe2Search) have "official" promotional sites from which they can be downloaded and/or purchased. Intrusive advertisements are also used to proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission.
PUAs are most commonly spread via download/installation setups of other programs. This false marketing tactic of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is called "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., skipped steps, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to research software before download/installation. Additionally, all downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - often offer bundled content.
When downloading/installing, it is advised to read terms, explore possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive advertisements appear ordinary; however, they redirect to questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so forth).
In case of encounters with such ads and/or redirects, the device must be inspected and all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with Safe2Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Safe2Search browser hijacker asking for various permissions:
Website promoting Safe2Search browser hijacker:
Appearance of search.safe2search.com redirecting to the Yahoo search engine (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is Safe2Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Safe2Search application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Safe2Search browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove search.safe2search.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove search.safe2search.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Safe2Search browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
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:
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:
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:
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.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "Safe2Search"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the search.safe2search.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Safe2Search browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Safe2Search" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Safe2Search", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search.safe2search.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "search.safe2search.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.safe2search.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the 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.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "Safe2Search", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable "Safe2Search", remove hxxp://search.safe2search.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with search.safe2search.com redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
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...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon 
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the search.safe2search.com redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
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.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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