How to remove the Secure Search Pro browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is Secure Search Pro?
Our team examined the Secure Search Pro browser extension and learned that it is a browser hijacker. This app changes the settings of a web browser to promote securesearch.pro - a fake search engine. We discovered Secure Search Pro while inspecting shady web pages. Most browser hijackers are promoted and distributed using deceptive methods.
Secure Search Pro browser hijacker overview
Secure Search Pro hijacks a web browser by making securesearch.pro the default search engine, new tab page, and homepage. Moreover, it keeps its changes irreversible until it is removed from a web browser. We found that securesearch.pro shows results generated by Google, Bing, and possibly other search engines.
Securesearch.pro redirects to bing.com via my-search.com and trafficjunction.com and to google.com only via my-search.com. It is not safe to use fake search engines because they can promote potentially malicious pages by generating misleading results or showing results generated by untrustworthy search engines.
Additionally, it is common for browser hijackers (and fake search engines) to be designed to gather information about their users. Their developers might use gathered data for marketing or other purposes and sell it to third parties.
| Name | Secure Search Pro |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Secure Search Pro |
| Supposed Functionality | Improved browsing experience |
| Promoted URL | securesearch.pro |
| Detection Names (securesearch.pro) | Heimdal Security (Malicious), Seclookup (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (securesearch.pro) | 99.84.160.13 |
| 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. |
More about browser hijackers
Most browser hijackers are promoted as useful applications. However, the purpose of these apps is to modify the settings of web browsers (to force users to browse the Internet using shady search engines). Typically, users are tricked into downloading and installing/adding browser hijackers.
More examples of browser-hijacking applications are TabsMode, quick do, and Rugby Start.
How did Secure Search Pro install on my computer?
Usually, users install/add browser hijackers via fake installers, deceptive advertisements designed to run certain scripts, and installers for other software. Browsers get hijacked via installers for other programs when installations are finished without changing "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings.
Those settings usually are provided in installers that contain optional installations (e.g., browser hijackers, adware). This distribution method is known as bundling.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Do not download applications from questionable sources (e.g., unofficial pages, third-party downloaders, P2P networks, third-party stores). Always use official pages and stores to download them. Deselect unwanted downloads and installations (by changing the available settings) before downloading and installing software.
Also, do not click advertisements displayed on torrent sites, adult pages, and other dubious pages (or allow such pages to show notifications). The same applies to ads that offer to download software. If your computer is already infected with Secure Search Pro, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Securesearch.pro redirects to to bing.com via my-search.com and trafficjunction.com (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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Quick menu:
- What is Secure Search Pro?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Secure Search Pro application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Secure Search Pro browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove securesearch.pro homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove securesearch.pro redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Secure Search Pro 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, "Secure Search Pro"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the securesearch.pro website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Secure Search Pro 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 "Secure Search Pro" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Secure Search Pro", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.securesearch.pro) 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 "securesearch.pro", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the securesearch.pro 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 extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Secure Search Pro", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Secure Search Pro", remove hxxp://securesearch.pro 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 "Accept the Risk and Continue".
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 securesearch.pro 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 securesearch.pro 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit securesearch.pro website?
This fake search engine generates more revenue for its creators when the number of its visitors is higher.
Is visiting securesearch.pro a threat to my privacy?
Fake search engines and browser hijackers can be used to gather information about their users. Thus, using them can invade privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
In most cases, users add browser hijackers via browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, installers for other programs, fake installers, deceptive pages, etc.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Secure Search Pro browser hijacker?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will remove this and any other browser hijacker from your browser. It is worth mentioning that it can be difficult to manually remove apps of this type when more than one is installed/added. Sometimes, apps of this type are designed to reinstall one another. In such cases, all of them have to be removed at once. Combo Cleaner removes browser hijackers in one go.
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