What is TheSafeSearch browser plugin? — Fix Guide

The TheSafeSearch search hijacker is an example of an average unwanted program; such applications are distributed enormously nowadays. In this article you will see the detailed guidance of “TheSafeSearch” hijacker removal in various methods: utilizing anti-malware software and hand-operated removal procedure.

It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!

Removing TheSafeSearch manually may take hours and may damage your PC in the process. I recommend you to download GridinSoft Anti-Malware for threats removal. Allows to complete scan and cure your PC during the trial period.

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TheSafeSearch – What is it?

“TheSafeSearch” search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)¹, that is distributed as a plugin for your internet browser. It is typically advertised as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that helps to browse some certain info, for example, about sport events, make your browser a lot more secure, allow downloading of any web video, and so on. Also, this app adds the “Managed by your organization” feature (on Chrome browsers).

Nevertheless, the “TheSafeSearch” plugin is fairly pointless because all such features are already integrated to your browser and/or Windows. Such advertising mottos are targeted at low-skilled computer users, like pensioners or schoolchildren. However frequently even professional users are getting caught on such a lure. In certain instances, this hijacker is distributed together with free programs.

TheSafeSearch Search Hijacker

Here is a short summary for the TheSafeSearch hijacker

How harmful is TheSafeSearch hijacker?

Besides its impracticality, TheSafeSearch hijacker is also fairly hazardous for web browser usage. It transforms your search engine to its particular – Thesafesearch.net, and likewise changes your background, adding its watermark on your background image (or, in some cases, changing it to default with the specified sign).

Besides visual transformations done by TheSafeSearch hijacker, you can see that some of your search inquiries are redirecting to the untrustworthy web pages, filled with links and advertisements – so-called doorway websites. Such sites can contain web links for malware downloads. The possibility of redirecting boosts if you try to open Google search page forcibly.

But all these actions are much more annoying than truly damaging. The most important risk, primarily for people who have a huge amount of secret information in their web browsers, is embedded in information collecting functions. Cookie files, chats, often-visited websites, and other activities are simply gathered by TheSafeSearch hijacker.

How to remove TheSafeSearch 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 generally quite very easy to deal with. In most cases, they have an independent application that can be seen in the list of installed apps. Due to the particular marketing tactic of TheSafeSearch hijacker, it can be quickly tracked and erased by hand. Nevertheless, if you got TheSafeSearch in the bundle with a free applications, your PC might be contaminated with a lot more harmful malware – trojans, spyware and even ransomware. That’s why I’d advise you make use of anti-malware tools to remove the TheSafeSearch PUA and all other malware.

You can utilize Microsoft Defender² – it is capable of discovering and removing various malware, including named hijacker. However, severe malware, that might exist on your computer in the mentioned case, can disable the Windows antivirus program by modifying the Group Policies. To keep away from such scenarios, it is better to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and eliminate all unwanted applications on your personal computer with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to utilize Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malicious programs, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and folders.

You can see the detected malicious programs sorted by their possible harm simultaneously with 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 each detected malicious or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of the detected malicious program. By default, all malware will be removed 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 counteracted by any virus, 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 choose, which settings will be reverted to the original.

Deleteing TheSafeSearch 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 :

1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :



2. 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 :

1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :



2. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :


After choosing this option, you will see the next message :

If you use Google Chrome

1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :



2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :



3. 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

1. 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 :



2. 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.

How to Remove TheSafeSearch?

Name: TheSafeSearch

Description: TheSafeSearch - 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 TheSafeSearch?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with TheSafeSearch (Thesafesearch.net), 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

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