The SafeFinderChoose search hijacker is an example of a typical unwanted program; such programs are distributed massively these days. In this article you will see the complete guidance of “SafeFinderChoose” hijacker elimination in different tactics: using anti-malware software and manual elimination process.
SafeFinderChoose – What is it?
“SafeFinderChoose” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)1, that is distributed as a plugin for your web browser. It is typically shared as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to browse some particular information, for example, about sport events, make your browser far more safe, enable downloading of any type of video, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).
Nonetheless, the “SafeFinderChoose” plugin is fairly pointless due to the fact that all such functions are already integrated to your web browser and/or system. Such marketing slogans are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. But sometimes even experienced users are getting caught on such an appeal. In specific scenarios, this hijacker is distributed along with free tools.
Here is a summary for the SafeFinderChoose hijacker
NAME | SafeFinderChoose |
Site | Safefinderchoose.com |
Hosting | AS22612 Namecheap, Inc. United States, Vista |
Infection Type | Browser Hijacker, Unwanted Application |
IP Address | 162.255.119.223 |
Symptoms | Changed search engine; search queries redirection |
Similar behavior | Getstreamsearch, Gamesearchonline, Thesafesearch |
Fix Tool | To remove possible virus infections, try to scan your PC |
How harmful is SafeFinderChoose hijacker?
Besides its uselessness, SafeFinderChoose hijacker is additionally fairly harmful for web browser use. It modifies your search engine to its specific – Safefinderchoose.com, and also alters your background, putting its watermark on your background image (or, in some cases, altering it to default with the specified sign).
Apart from visual transformations done by SafeFinderChoose hijacker, you may notice that a couple of your search inquiries are redirecting to the untrustworthy web pages, filled with web links and ads – so-called doorway sites. Such sites can include links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting increases if you try to open Google search page by force.
However all these activities are more irritating than truly hazardous. The largest danger, primarily for individuals who have a considerable amount of confidential information in their web browsers, is installed in information gathering capabilities. Cookie files, conversations, often-visited websites, and various other activities are simply collected by SafeFinderChoose hijacker.
How to remove SafeFinderChoose search hijacker?
- Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
- Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
- “Move to quarantine” all items.
- Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
- Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
- Restart your computer.
Browser hijackers are typically pretty easy to delete. In many cases, they have a separate application that can be found in the list of installed apps. Because of the certain marketing method of SafeFinderChoose hijacker, it can be simply tracked and erased by hand. Nevertheless, if you got SafeFinderChoose in the package with a free program, your system can be infected with far more dangerous malware – trojans, spyware or even ransomware. That’s why I’d recommend you utilize anti-malware tools to delete the SafeFinderChoose PUA and all other malware.
You can make use of Microsoft Defender2 – it is capable of finding and removing different malware, including mentioned hijacker. However, significant malware, that might exist on your computer in the discussed case, can disable the Windows antivirus program by editing the Group Policies. To minimize the chanse of such circumstances, it is far better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
To detect and delete all unwanted applications on your computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to use Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malicious apps, because it checks only the most popular registry entries and directories.
You can observe the detected malicious apps sorted by their possible harm till the scan process. But to perform any actions against malicious apps, you need to hold on until the scan is finished, or to stop the scan.
To choose the action for every detected virus or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious app. By default, all malware will be moved to quarantine.
Reset browser settings to original ones
To reset your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be intercepted by any malicious program, hence, you will surely see the result. This action can be found in the Tools tab.
After choosing the Reset Browser Settings button, the menu will be displayed, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to the original.
Deleteing SafeFinderChoose hijacker manually
Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.
To reset Edge, do the following steps :
- Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
- After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :
For Mozilla Firefox, do the next actions :
- Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
- In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :
After choosing this option, you will see the next message :
If you use Google Chrome
- Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
- In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
- Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
Opera can be reset in the next way
- Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
- After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :
As an afterword, I want to say that time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of the possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.
I need your help to share this guide.
Browser hijackers are among the largest and also disruptive kinds of malware. I published this article to help you, so I wish you will help me to make the computer world completely clean of malware. Please, share this article in the social networks you use – Twitter, Reddit, Facebook – wherever.
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Wilbur WoodhamHow to Remove SafeFinderChoose?
Name: SafeFinderChoose
Description: SafeFinderChoose - a lot of users became a victim of browser hijacker. I have a lot of friends who literally bombed me with the questions like “how to remove SafeFinderChoose?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with SafeFinderChoose (Safefinderchoose.com), which may corrupt your browser’s correct performance, and create a lot of troubles while you are working.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Browser Hijacker
User Review
( votes)References
- More information about PUAs
- Detailed review of Microsoft Defender