This article`s main purpose is to help users get rid of SafeSurf once and for all. The removal steps can be applied to Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and every version of Windows as well.

What you need to know if your browser has been invaded by SafeSurf?

If every time you open your browser your screen is overcrowded with annoying and obtrusive adverts there is a very high change you have the SafeSurf program running on your computer. SafeSurf is connected with a specific type of software named browser hijacker and it`s additionally installed in your browser. Such browser hijacking programs are infamous for being very intrusive and incredibly annoying at the same time. One of their most irritating features is heavily disturbing your browsing process. Moreover, some of them may change your browser settings, for example, your front page. If this happens you won`t be able to change your front page back unless the browser hijacking program is removed from your PC.

What SafeSurf actually intends to do?

The main purpose of the developers of browser hijacking programs is actually to make money via the pay-per-click method. This is the idea behind the incredibly annoying and infuriating ads that occur on your screen. They are trying to drive people so mad that they would give up and try to remove them by clicking on them. Anyway, we will explain why NOT to do that later on. Also, we have included a few very easy to follow steps to help you quickly get rid of the program.

Is SafeSurf a virus or a malware?

Actually, the answer is: neither. While some people think that SafeSurf is a virus and other think it`s a malware, in the end, they are all wrong. SafeSurf is considered to be some vicious, destructive, malicious program which is trying to destroy your system, steal your passwords and sky on you. As explained above, the purpose of browser hijacking programs is to make money and certainly not to destroy your machine. The difference between viruses and programs like SafeSurf is enormous. While malicious software, like Trojan Horses and Ransomware, are trying my all means to harm your PC, encrypt your files and ask for money to get it back, SafeSurf is nothing compared to them. It is pretty much innocuous but this doesn’t mean and you have to consider yourself lucky for having it. Not at all. It is just not likely that it would damage your system in any way.

You should still keep an eye for potential threats

Even though we said that browser hijackers are incredibly annoying but harmless, you should still keep in mind that they might still contain some security risks. The thing is, some of the ads that are invading your browser might redirect you to another webpage with unreliable and even dangerous contents, like ransomware, which will definitely compromise your machine`s security. That is why we strongly recommend you not to click on the ads no matter how annoying they are and you just want to close them. The chances to run across a harmful advert are slim but you still wouldn’t want to risk it, would you?

How are browser hijacker programs being distributed?

This is a very important question you should be familiar whit as it may be really helpful when it comes to protecting yourself. Below, we have listed the most commonly used tactics for spreading programs like SafeSurf.

• Hidden links – they are all over websites with unreliable contents. Sometimes, if you click on a hidden link you would witness an unwanted program downloading itself onto your PC and you wouldn’t even manage to react fast enough to stop it. So, stay away from sites with questionable origin and contents and if you somehow run across a page like this, think twice before clicking anywhere. Moreover, there is no chance you haven`t run across that really big and brightly colored Download buttons on some website. They seem appealing and make you think that by clicking on them you will get the file you wanted. But very often, this is just a trick to mislead you and once you click on them you are either redirected to some shady page or again an unwanted program has started downloading itself onto your machine.
• Spam emails – they are used for the distribution of all kind of unwanted programs and malware. Even though you have a spam folder sometimes malicious messages land directly in your regular inbox. That’s why if you receive an email from unknown sender carefully check it and if it look questionable to you, you`d better directly delete it without opening it.
• Program-bundling – this is the most effective and popular technique for distributing browser hijacker programs like SafeSurf. The method allows gluing the intrusive program to another program which is free do download or really cheap. If you use the regular installation settings you would get browser hijacker installed on your PC alongside with the other program. We recommend always to use the advanced settings for the installation process as in this way you can remove any added content that you think may be suspicious. All you have to do is uncheck any content that seems unwanted and proceed with the installation.

SafeSurf Removal (Chrome, Firefox)

Before starting the real removal process, you must reboot in Safe Mode. If you know how to do this, skip the instructions below and proceed to Step 2. If you do not know how to do it, here is how to reboot in Safe mode:

For Windows 98, XP, Millenium and 7:
Reboot your computer. When the first screen of information appears, start repeatedly pressing F8 key. Then choose Safe Mode With Networking from the options.

For Windows 8/8.1
Click the Start button, next click Control Panel —> System and Security —> Administrative Tools —> System Configuration.‌

Check the Safe Boot option and click OK. Click Restart when asked.
For Windows 10
Open the Start menu and click or tap on the Power button.

While keeping the Shift key pressed, click or tap on Restart.

SafeSurf shows unwanted ads on Chrome, Firefox and IE. Please, follow the guide precisely. If you miss some of the steps below, there is a chance that SafeSurf will come back at a later moment. These are the steps you must follow precisely to remove SafeSurf ads from the browser:

Remove From Mozilla Firefox:

Open Firefox, click on top-right corner , click Add-ons, hit Extensions next.

Look for suspicious or unknown extensions, remove them all.

Remove From Chrome:

Open Chrome, click chrome menu icon at the top-right corner —>More Tools —> Extensions. There, identify the malware and select chrome-trash-icon(Remove).

Remove From Internet Explorer:
Open IE, then click IE gear icon on the top-right corner —> Manage Add-ons.

Find the malicious add-on. Remove it by pressing Disable.

Right click on the browser’s shortcut, then click Properties. Remove everything after the .exe” in the Target box.

Open Control Panel by holding the Win Key and R together. Write appwiz.cpl in the field, then click OK.

Here, find any program you had no intention to install and uninstall it.

Run the Task Manager by right clicking on the Taskbar and choosing Start Task Manager.

Look carefully at the file names and descriptions of the running processes. If you find any suspicious one, search on Google for its name, or contact me directly to identify it. If you find a malware process, right-click on it and choose End task.

Open MS Config by holding the Win Key and R together. Type msconfig and hit Enter.

Go in the Startup tab and Uncheck entries that have “Unknown” as Manufacturer.

Still can not remove SafeSurf from your browser? Please, leave a comment below, describing what steps you performed. I will answer promptly.