How to remove SafeMail potentially unwanted application (PUA)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is SafeMail?
During a routine investigation of untrustworthy websites, our research team discovered the SafeMail PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).
This app is promoted as a tool for checking the validity and reputation of email addresses. However, the promised functionality is not operational. PUAs often possess harmful capabilities and they often infiltrate systems alongside other suspicious software.
SafeMail overview
Potentially unwanted applications are often disguised as existing or legitimate-sounding programs. However, they rarely function as advertised, and in many cases – the promised features are nonexistent.
SafeMail promises to check the reputation of email addresses, i.e., advise blocking, give a trust score, verify validity, detect suspicious/inappropriate words, etc. However, during our analysis, the app provided false results – thus, its functionality is nonoperational.
As mentioned in the introduction, PUAs often have hazardous abilities. The most prevalent functions include collecting information (e.g., browsing histories, Internet cookies, log-in credentials, credit card numbers, etc.), displaying ads (adware), and changing browser settings to promote fake search engines (browser hijackers). It is possible that SafeMail has unmentioned, harmful capabilities.
It is pertinent to mention that installation setups carrying unwanted software are often bundled (packed together) with dubious programs or browser extensions.
To summarize, the presence of software like SafeMail on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
| Name | SafeMail potentially unwanted application |
| Threat Type | PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program), PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application) |
| Supposed Functionality | Email reputation checking tool |
| Detection Names (installer) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Detection Names (app) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | A program that you do not recall installing suddenly appeared on your computer. Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Rogue redirects. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution Methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling). |
| Damage | Monetary loss (unnecessary purchase of fake software), privacy issues, unwanted warning pop-ups, slow computer performance. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Potentially unwanted application examples
We have written about countless unwanted apps; PrivateBrowsing, Klio Verfair Tools, SafeGuard Browser, GuardMate, and Caveqn App are merely some of our latest articles.
The purpose of PUAs is to generate revenue for their developers/publishers, and they typically do so through nefarious means. Hence, the presence of unwanted software on machines can endanger their integrity and user privacy.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
We downloaded SafeMail from a deceptive webpage. PUAs are promoted through genuine-looking download pages and scam sites (i.e., ones using lures like present system infections, missing software updates, etc.).
Most visitors enter these webpages via redirects caused by websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, and installed adware.
The bundling marketing method – packing regular program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is also used in PUA proliferation.
These pre-packed installation setups can be downloaded from freeware and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other untrustworthy sources. The risk of allowing bundled content into the system is increased by rushing through installations (e.g., ignoring terms, skipping steps/sections, using "Easy/Express" settings, etc.).
Intrusive advertisements proliferate unwanted software as well. Some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform sneaky downloads/installations upon being clicked.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. When installing, it is essential to read terms, study possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt out of supplements (e.g., apps, extensions, tools, etc.).
Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since the Internet is rife with well-disguised fake and malicious content. For example, despite their harmless appearance – intrusive advertisements redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, etc.).
Should you keep encountering ads/redirects of this kind, check the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Results provided by SafeMail application when an email address is checked:
SafeMail application's installation folder:
Deceptive website promoting SafeMail application:
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 SafeMail?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Removal of potentially unwanted applications:
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 "SafeMail" and other suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove rogue extensions from Internet browsers:
At time of research, SafeMail did not install any unwanted browser extensions, however, some unwanted applications can be installed together with adware and browser hijackers. If you experience unwanted ads or redirects when browsing the Internet, continue with the removal guide below.
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
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 all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the safemail potentially unwanted application, 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 and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with safemail potentially unwanted application 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, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
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 upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the safemail potentially unwanted application, 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:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on safemail potentially unwanted application or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of an unwanted application?
Unwanted apps are designed to generate revenue for their developers/publishers through dubious and even nefarious means. For example, these programs can endorse content (via ads, redirects, etc.), promote suspicious or bogus in-app purchases, trick users into buying fake activation keys, collect/sell private data, and so forth.
Is SafeMail unwanted application legal?
Most likely, yes. Usually, unwanted apps are considered legal because their EULAs (End User License Agreements) inform users of the software's modus operandi.
Is having SafeMail installed on my computer dangerous?
Unwanted applications typically have harmful capabilities, and this might be true of SafeMail. These apps also tend to be bundled with (packed alongside) other suspect and even dangerous software. Generally, unwanted programs are associated with system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove SafeMail unwanted application?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate all kinds of threats, including unwanted and malicious apps. It is noteworthy that manual removal (performed without security programs) might not be an ideal solution. In some cases, even after an application has been manually removed – various file leftovers remain hidden within the system. What is more, these remnants can continue to run and cause issues. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate undesirable software thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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