Secure Browsing Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Secure Browsing?
Secure Browsing is presented as an application that significantly improves Internet browsing security - "Secure Browsing This browser application is designed to secure your browser, while surfing the internet." On initial inspection, Secure Browsing might seem legitimate, however, this app often installs without users' consent.
In addition, it generates intrusive online advertisements and monitors browsing activity. For these reasons, it is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).
This adware generates pop-up, banner, and other similar intrusive advertisements. None originate from users' visited websites and often conceal underlying web content, thereby significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience.
In addition, there is a high probability that these displayed ads will lead to malicious websites - clicking them risks further adware or malware infections. In addition, Secure Browsing collects various information relating to Internet browsing activity. Some of the recorded data will be personally identifiable and shared with third parties who misuse personal data to generate revenue.
This situation can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We, therefore, strongly advise that you uninstall Secure Browsing immediately.
This PUP is identical to Security Guard, Safe Browsing, Win Guard, and other adware. All of these applications promise identical features, however, none provide users with any real value. Secure Browsing, and other apps created by the same developers, are designed to generate revenue.
Rather than enabling the functionality promised, Secure Browsing, and the other apps listed above, generate intrusive online advertisements and track Internet browsing activity.
How did Secure Browsing install on my computer?
The developers of Secure Browsing employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling'. In this way, they hide PUPs within the 'Custom/Advanced' download or installation settings. Users who skip this section simply expose their systems to risk of infection, thereby compromising their privacy.
Developers' revenue is dependent on the number of apps distributed and, therefore, these installations are rarely disclosed.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent this situation, the download and installation processes should be closely analyzed. Select the 'Custom/Advanced' settings, observe each step, and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.
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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
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 Secure Browsing?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Secure Browsing application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Secure Browsing adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Secure Browsing ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by Secure Browsing' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Secure Browsing extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Secure Browsing adware 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 "Secure Browsing", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Secure Browsing ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Secure Browsing adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, Secure Browsing did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by secure browsing, 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 "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by secure browsing, 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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by secure browsing 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 ads by secure browsing, 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 ads by secure browsing or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
▼ Show Discussion