Safe.search.tools virus - How to remove

Safe.search.tools virus (also referred to as Privacy4browsers.com redirect virus and SafeSearch Incognito rogue extension) is the fruit of all efforts that SearchTools™, LLC. have put into creating it. Our investigation proved that many preceding browser hijackers have taken up the objective of promoting the newest addition to the hijackware family. Search.safefinder.com, Search.emailaccessonline.com, Hp.myway.com, Search.newtabtvsearch.com, Search.searchdoco.com and Search.searchgofind.com have all been determined to initiate referrals to it (1).

Discover more alarming features of Safe.search.tools computer virus

Web traffic analysis of Safe.search.tools browser hijacker revealed that its popularity has increased since the beginning of May and has not stop growing. Its relentless advertising tactics have proven to be highly detectable in United States, United kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Privacy4browsers.com pop-up engages in continual appearance and it pledges to promote a SafeSearch Incognito Google Chrome extension which will allegedly allow you to browse the Internet completely anonymously. However, not only Google Chrome users have been invited to try this add-on out: Mozilla users has been presented with this unsolicited pop-up as well (2).

The Safe.search.tools virus is being popularized by many online-streaming facilities too. However, we noticed that providers of pornographic videos and other adult-oriented services have also been engaging in promoting this unreliable search platform (3). According to our observations, advertisements for rogue extension of SafeSearch Incognito will be inserted into websites like Sockshare.net, 0123movies.com, 123movies.net websites: these online-streaming services are very frequently guilty of transmitting malware-laden pop-ups. Based on statements from clients of these movie-providers (4), it is emphasized that unknown plugins could be installed automatically if browsers are set to allow this function:

“The site is incredibly frustrating when navigating without a reliable pop-up/AdBlocker installed within your Browser. However, using a blocker while visiting 123Movies, the site becomes much “smoother.” Lastly, I would highly suggest one disables plugins from running without permission while using Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla, etc. (5)”

Safe.search.tools malware has also been determined to engage in display of advertisements via its search platform. Clickadu, Propeller Ads Media, exoClick, AdsTerra, PopAds and other ad-networks have been permitted to demonstrate their promotional/sponsored material. The website has been noticed to stand in solid positions both globally and in its most infected country. Worldwide statistics find it in the place of 34,272. In America, the rank is much higher: 15,503.

However, allowing this browser hijacker to reside in your computer is not a wise idea. This becomes evident after analysis of the EULA and Privacy Policy documents:

“Furthermore, these links [third party URLs] may lead to sites or links that contain offensive and objectionable content or which may contain dangerous computer viruses. You assume, and we hereby disclaim, all responsibility for any of the content on these sites or for any damage sustained by users of these sites.”

In order to install SafeSearch Incognito extension, users will have to agree with several changes. First of all, users’ home pages, search providers, start pages will all be designated to Safe.search.tools redirect virus. Also, the extension requests to monitor every website you visit and read its content and to change settings, regarding privacy.

Take of potentially unwanted software and malware

Knowing the fact that this infections functions like a browser hijacker (6), we would find it best to get rid of it as soon as you get the chance. Run a scan with Spyhunter to find out whether this rogue has not managed to inflict more malware. If you find it better to get rid of it on your own, we advise you to learn more about the manual removal by following the guidelines we have enumerated below.

Remember: never install unknown software, especially if the developers do not reveal their true identity and leave no specific contact information. Also, remember that pop-ups are never the right source for browser extensions. However, as it appears, Chrome Web store is also not the best place to download tools blindly from.

Automatic Malware removal tools

Make sure Safe.search.tools virus does not appear

How to remove search virus using Windows Control Panel

Many hijackers and adware like Privacy4browsers.com redirect virus and SafeSearch Incognito rogue extension virus install some of their components as regular Windows programs as well as additional software. This part of malware can be uninstalled from the Control Panel. To access it, do the following.

• Start→Control Panel (older Windows) or press Windows Key→Search and enter Control Panel and then press Enter (Windows 8, Windows 10).
• Choose Uninstall Program (if you don't see it, click in the upper right next to "View by" and select Category).
• Go through the list of programs and select entries related to Safe.search.tools virus . You can click on "Name" or "Installed On" to reorder your programs and make search virus  easier to find.
• Click the Uninstall button. If you're asked if you really want to remove the program, click Yes.
• In many cases anti-malware programs are better at detecting related parasites, thus I recommend installing Spyhunter to identify other programs that might be a part of this infection.

How to remove Safe.search.tools virus from macOS

Delete search virus from your applications.

1. Open Finder.
2. In the menu bar, click Go.
3. Select Applications from the dropdown.
4. Find the Privacy4browsers.com redirect virus and SafeSearch Incognito rogue extension virus app.
5. Select it and right-click it (or hold the Ctrl and click the left mouse button).
6. In the dropdown, click Move to Bin/Trash. You might be asked to provide your login password.

TopHow To remove Safe.search.tools virus from Google Chrome:

• Click on the 3 horizontal lines icon on a browser toolbar and Select More Tools→Extensions
  
• Select all malicious extensions and delete them.
  
• Click on the 3 horizontal lines icon on a browser toolbar and Select Settings
  
• Select Manage Search engines
  
• Remove unnecessary search engines from the list
  
• Go back to settings. On Startup choose Open blank page (you can remove undesired pages from the set pages link too).
• If your homepage was changed, click on Chrome menu on the top right corner, select Settings. Select Open a specific page or set of pages and click on Set pages.
  
• Delete malicious search websites at a new Startup pages window by clicking “X” next to them.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings

If you are still experiencing any issues related to Privacy4browsers.com redirect virus and SafeSearch Incognito rogue extension virus, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on a Chrome’s menu button (three horizontal lines) and select Settings.
• Scroll to the end of the page and click on theReset browser settings button.
  
• Click on the Reset button on the confirmation box.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

How To remove Safe.search.tools virus from Firefox:Top

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla window and select the “Add-ons” icon (Or press Ctrl+Shift+A on your keyboard).
  
• Go through Extensions and Addons list, remove everything Safe.search.tools virus related and items you do not recognise. If you do not know the extension and it is not made by Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, Oracle or Adobe then you probably do not need it.
  
• If your homepage was changed, click on the Firefox menu in the top right corner, select Options → General. Enter a preferable URL to the homepage field and click Restore to Default.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to Privacy4browsers.com redirect virus and SafeSearch Incognito rogue extension virus, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla Firefox window. Click on the Help button.
  
• ChooseTroubleshooting Information on the Help menu.
  
• Click on theReset Firefox button.
  
• Click on the Reset Firefox button on the confirmation box. Mozilla Firefox will close and change the settings to default.
  

If the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program to identify malicious entries.

How to remove Safe.search.tools virus from Microsoft Edge:Top

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Microsoft Edge window. Select “Extensions”.

• Select all malicious extensions and delete them.

• Click on the three-dot menu on the browser toolbar and Select Settings

• Select Privacy and Services and scroll down. Press on Address bar.

• Choose Manage search engines.

• Remove unnecessary search engines from the list: open the three-dot menu and choose Remove.

• Go back to Settings. Open On start-up.
• Delete malicious search websites at Open specific page or pages by opening the three-dot menu and clicking Delete.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to Privacy4browsers.com redirect virus and SafeSearch Incognito rogue extension virus, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings

• Click on Edge's menu button and select Settings. Click on the Reset Settings button on the left.
• Press the Restore settings to their default values option.

• Click on the Reset button on the confirmation box.

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

How to remove Safe.search.tools virus from Safari:Top

Remove malicious extensions

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences.
  
• Select Extensions and uninstall Privacy4browsers.com redirect virus and SafeSearch Incognito rogue extension virus and other suspicious extensions.
  
• If your homepage was changed, click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences and choose General tab. Enter preferable URL to the homepage field.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings(older versions) If you are still experiencing any issues related to Safe.search.tools virus, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Reset Safari…
  
• Select which options you want to reset (usually all of them come preselected) and click on the Reset button.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

References:

1. Analysis. Similarweb.com.
2. I have been asked to download from f31056.privacy4browser.com; is this genuine? Support.mozilla.com.
3. Analysis. Similarweb.com.
4. Is 123Movies Safe? A Review of the Free Movie Streaming Site. Thehightechsociety.com. 
5. Is 123movies safe? Mywot.com.
6. Browser hijacking. Microsoft.com.