isearch.safefinder.net Virus

What is isearch.safefinder.net?

The isearch.safefinder.net browser hijacker infiltrates Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) via free software downloads. Browser redirects to this website are caused by a potentially unwanted application called 'SafeSearch Smartbar' created by Linkury Inc.

Internet users often install SafeSearch adware inadvertently without their consent when downloading and installing freeware. At time of research, this browser plugin was distributed using deceptive freeware 'download clients' and fake downloads. For example, fake Java updates or fake Internet browser updates.

After successful infiltration, SafeSearch Smartbar modifies users' Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default search engine fields to isearch.safefinder.net

Developers of this add-on claim that it enhances users' Internet browsing experience by enabling quick website translations, content sharing, and notifications regarding malicious websites. While such functionality may seem legitimate, computer users should be aware that SafeSearch Smartbar is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted application.

This browser settings-changing adware is also known to track users' Internet browsing activity by recording IP addresses, web pages visited, and other information.

This monitoring can lead to privacy issues and identity theft. SafeSearch Smartbar is not technically a virus or malware, however, it is browser settings-changing adware, and therefore, you are advised to eliminate it from your Internet browser/s.

The isearch.safefinder.net browser hijacker is similar to other browser settings-changing adware, which infiltrates Internet browsers through free software downloads. Examples include Trovigo.com, sweetpacks.com, and Yahoo toolbar.

The Internet search engine used by this browser hijacker returns dubious results and clicking on these can result in installation of additional adware or even malware infections. To avoid installation of browser settings-changing plug-ins such as these, express caution when downloading and installing free software.

Today, most free software download websites use 'download clients' offering installation of advertised browser plug-ins together with the chosen free software, and therefore, it is important to inspect each download step and opt out of adware installation by clicking the 'decline' button.

When installing freeware, choose the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' installation options - this will reveal installation of any bundled adware. Computer users who experience browser redirects to isearch.safefinder.net should use this removal guide to eliminate this browser hijacker from their Internet browser/s.

isearch.safefinder.net browser hijacker installer:

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Quick menu:

• What is isearch.safefinder.net?
• STEP 1. Uninstall SafeFinder Smartbar, application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove isearch.safefinder.net add-on from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove isearch.safefinder.net plugin from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove isearch.safefinder.net extension from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove isearch.safefinder.net extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

isearch.safefinder.net virus 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 "SafeFinder Smartbar", select this entry and click " Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes browser redirects to the isearch.safefinder.net website) scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

isearch.safefinder.net homepage and default search engine removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click on the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Manage Add-ons". Look for the "SafeFinder Smartbar" and "SafeFinder SmartbarEngine", select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click on the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove feed.safefinder.net and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Click on the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer) select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "Web Search" (feed.safefinder.net).

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the safefinder smartbar by linkury, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate "SafeFinder", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) select "Settings". In "On startup" section click "set pages", hover your mouse over feed.safefinder.net and click the x symbol. Now, you can add your preferred website as your homepage.

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" section click "Manage Search Engines...", remove "Web" (isearch.safefinder.net) and add or select your preferred domain.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the safefinder smartbar by linkury, 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 on the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "SafeFinder".

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click "Firefox", then select "Options", in the opened window remove feed.safefinder.net and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change 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: "isearch.safefinder.net"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with safefinder smartbar by linkury 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 safefinder smartbar by linkury, 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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