What is Search Secure?
Search Secure is yet another browser hijacker that alters browser configuration without users’ agreement. For example, it manipulates your browser to change your start page or search engine, so that the affected browser visits their site or one of their choice. Also, it may display irrelevant search results, pop-up ads, and cause redirects to affiliated sites. To mislead users, the appearance of Search Secure was made similar to other popular search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo; but that’s where the resemblance stops. If you want to stop its activity, we suggest you remove Search Secure hijacker right away. For this, follow the steps described below.
Search Secure also collects the user’s personal information related to his browsing habits. All collected data is transferred to third-party companies which may use them for selfish purposes. To completely remove Search Secure and all its leftovers, you may seek assistance from the anti-malware program, it’s the most convenient way. Experienced users may use the manual way. Both methods are provided below.
How Search Secure got installed on your computer?
Search Secure injects in the browser through the bundles with free programs. A virus presented as a useful extension or app. Developers do not show information about hijacker – they hide this it within “Custom” settings or other sections of the installation processes. So, you shouldn’t give access to installation Search Secure on your device. It is the best way to avoid the implementation of hijackers. But if your system already infected by a virus, you can follow instructions below to remove Search Secure from browsers.
How to remove Search Secure?
To make sure that the hijacker won’t appear again, you need to delete Search Secure completely. For this, you need to remove the application from the Control Panel and then check the drives for such leftovers as Search Secure files and registry entries. We should warn you that performing some of the steps may require above-average skills, so if you don’t feel experienced enough, you may apply to the automatic removal tool.
Performing an antimalware scan with Norton would automatically search out and delete all elements related to Search Secure. It is not only the easiest way to eliminate Search Secure, but also the safest and most assuring one.
Norton Antivirus is a well-established tool for Mac users that can clear your computer from malware like Search Secure and all related files from your computer. Another important advantage of the program is an up-to-date database of computer threats which is perfect to protect your computer in case of a new malware attack.
Steps of Search Secure manual removal
Uninstall Search Secure from Control Panel
As it was stated before, more likely that the hijacker appeared on your system brought by other software. So, to get rid of Search Secure you need to call to memory what you have installed recently.
How to remove Search Secure from Mac
- Open a Finder window
- Click Applications line on the sidebar
- Select the application related to Search Secure right-click it and choose Move to Trash
How to remove Search Secure from Windows XP
- Click the Start button and open Control Panel
- Go to Add or Remove Programs
- Find the application related to Search Secure and click Uninstall
How to remove Search Secure from Windows 7/Vista
- Click the Start button and open Control Panel
- Go to Uninstall Program
- Find the application related to Search Secure and click Uninstall
How to remove Search Secure from Windows 8/8.1
- Right-click the menu icon in left bottom corner
- Choose Control Panel
- Select the Uninstall Program line
- Uninstall the application related to Search Secure
How to remove Search Secure from Windows 10
- Press Win+X to open Windows Power menu
- Click Control Panel
- Choose Uninstall a Program
- Select the application related to Search Secure and remove it
If you experience problems with removing Search Secure from Control Panel: there is no such title on the list, or you receive an error preventing you from deleting the application, see the article dedicated to this issue.
Read what to do if program won’t uninstall from Control Panel
Remove Search Secure from browsers
How to unlock Windows Group Policies
Before you will started to remove Search Secure from browser you should perform following instructions in Command Prompt
This step is necessary to delete Windows Group Policies created by Search Secure
- Start Command Prompt as Administrator
- To do this in Windows 10/8 or Windows 7 click Start and in the search box type cmd. Right-click on the found result and choose Run as Administrator.
- While in command prompt type:
rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers" - Press Enter button.
- Then type:
rd /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy" - Press Enter button.
- Finally, type:
gpupdate /force - Press Enter button.
Since some of the hijacker threats use a disguise of a browser add-on, you will need to check the list of extensions/add-ons in your browser.
How to remove Search Secure from Safari
- Start Safari
- Click on Safari menu button, then go to the Extensions
- Delete Search Secure or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove Search Secure from Google Chrome
- Start Google Chrome
- Click on More tools, then go to the Extensions
- Delete Search Secure or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove Search Secure from Internet Explorer
- Launch Internet Explorer
- Click on the Tools/Gear icon, then select Manage Add-ons
- Delete Search Secure or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove Search Secure from Mozilla Firefox
- Start Mozilla Firefox
- Click on the right-upper corner button
- Click Add-ons, then go to Extensions
- Delete Search Secure or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
How to remove Search Secure from Microsoft Edge
- Start Microsoft Edge
- Click the three-dot button in the upper right corner
- Choose Extensions
- Click the gear icon near Search Secure or other extensions that look suspicious and you don’t remember installing them
- Choose Remove
Reset your browsers
How to reset settings in Google Chrome
- Click on the icon in the right-upper corner
- Choose Settings
- Click Advanced settings
- Click the Reset button
- In “reset” window click the Reset button
How to reset settings in Mozilla Firefox
- Click the icon in the upper right corner
- Choose Help
- Select Troubleshooting Information
- Click the Refresh Firefox… button
How to reset settings in Internet Explorer
- Click on the Tools button
- Go to Internet options
- Go to the Advanced tab
- Click Reset
How to reset settings in Microsoft Edge
- Start Microsoft Edge
- Click the three-dot button in the upper right corner
- Choose Settings
- Under the Clear browsing data category select Choose what to clear
- Select everything and click Clear
If the above-mentioned methods didn’t help in eliminating the threat, then it’s better to rely on an automatic way of deleting Search Secure.
We also recommend to download and use Norton to scan the system after Search Secure removal to make sure that it is completely gone. The antimalware application will detect any vicious components left among system files and registry entries that can recover Search Secure.