by Ventsislav Krastev | October 21, 2016 | 0 Comments browser hijacker, browser redirect, PUP

A hoax browser search engine has been detected by malware researchers several days ago. The search engine exhibits a strange behavior and has the ability to display advertisements, modify web browser settings and also display advertisements that may turn out to be harmful. Since Safesearch4.ru is classified as a potentially unwanted program and is together with what many refer to a browser hijacker. Users who see the homepage of Safesearch4.ru are advised to immediately take down this PUP using the information provided in this article.

Threat Summary

Name	Safesearch4.ru hijacker
Type	Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description	Each browser application on your computer can be affected. The hijacker will redirect you and show various advertisements.
Symptoms	Browser settings which could be modified are the homepage, the search engine and the new tab window.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installations, Bundle Packages
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Safesearch4.ru hijacker.

How Did I Get Safesearch4.ru Hijacker

The most likely method that may have gotten the suspicious web page to open every time you start Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer is called bundling. Since it is very similar to another hijacker – Safesearch1.ru, it involves the adding of indirectly dangerous programs like Safesearch4.ru on the computer of the user disguised “as free extras”. These programs are also known as fake “helpers”, apps that aim to improve the online experience, like seemingly useful toolbars and other forms. Such bundled installers may be downloaded without the user realizing they are bundled. Usually this happens when third-party websites who provide widely downloaded freeware, like well-known media players, torrent programs and even antivirus programs, ironically enough. These websites make money by including the free installers of those fake helpers in the form of either an installation step having a convincing statement as if the app is a part of the installation process:

“Add Safesearch4.ru to improve your browsing experience.”
“Insall Safesearch toolbar utility to help you find what you are looking for faster”.

Since these type of threats are classified as low-level, antivirus programs may do nothing to stop them, because of their sheer size in numbers. This is why users are advised to use advanced tools for removing them.

Safesearch4.ru Hijacker – More Information

When it has been successfully situated onto an affected computer, the hijacking software begins to modify Windows Registry Entries heavily. It may primarily target the subkeys of the web browsers that are installed on a given PC, for example:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\chrome.exe\
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\Google Chrome\
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Google Chrome
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Vendor\Name\Extensions
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Vendor\Name\Extensions
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Vendor\Name\Extensions
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Mozilla\Firefox\Extensions
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Mozilla\Thunderbird\Extensions
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Firefox\Extensions
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Mozilla\Firefox\Extensions
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Thunderbird\Extensions
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Mozilla\Thunderbird\Extensions
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MozillaPlugins\plugin-id
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\MozillaPlugins\plugin-id

The modifications of those subkeys and the values in them as well as some other tweaks may change the home page of the web browser to the default home page of Startsearch4.ru:

The page Startsearch4.ru itself is nothing special. For starters, it is created to faintly resemble Google and includes Google Custom Search which is essentially a searching service by google, indicating the search engine does not have it’s original searching database. In addition to this, the search engine also does not possess it’s own custom HTTPs encryption which is a strong indicator that the software is a hoax search engine due to the fact that most official search engines are properly secured.

Another very suspicious behavior the suspicious hijacker connected with Startsearch4.ru exhibited was that it uses cookies to collect different information, like:

Search history.
Online clicks.
Banners.
Possibly user information, if entered.

The software also does not have a privacy policy which increases the risk of using Safesearch4.ru, because it may be the opposite of safe. Another indicator that the program is solely created for the interests of it’s owner is that it displays ad-supported search results that may be based on what you search, here is what we received when searching for something online:

In addition to that, Safesearch4.ru also advertises third-party software with a suspicious character directly on it’s home page.

Safesearch4.ru – Conclusion and Removal Instructions

As a bottom line, the suspicious Safesearch4.ru search engine is an indicator that your computer is at risk. It may display advertisements that lead to dangerous websites that may either be scamming or directly infect your computer with malware.

Not only this, but Safeseaarch4.ru is primarily created for profit, this is why it may cause multiple redirects or advertisements in other forms to generate traffic to hoax websites or generate funds via pay-per click or other schemes.

This is why it is strongly advisable to remove Safesearch4.ru hijacker from your computer in full. To do this, you should follow the instructions which we have posted below. They are carefully designed to guide you in removing this PUP manually and if you do not have the experience or the time, automatically with a specific anti-malware tool.

Ventsislav Krastev

Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.

How to Remove Safesearch4.ru hijacker from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Safesearch4.ru hijacker

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall Safesearch4.ru hijacker and related software from Windows

Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Safesearch4.ru hijacker on your computer.

The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Safesearch4.ru hijacker there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.

Step 4: Scan for Safesearch4.ru hijacker with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of Safesearch4.ru hijacker from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Safesearch4.ru hijacker and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Safesearch4.ru hijacker:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Safesearch4.ru hijacker. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Safesearch4.ru hijacker. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

Go to Finder.
In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.

In case you cannot remove Safesearch4.ru hijacker via Step 1 above:

In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Safesearch4.ru hijacker. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:

→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.

Step 2: Scan for and remove Safesearch4.ru hijacker files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Safesearch4.ru hijacker, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for Safesearch4.ru hijacker:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Safesearch4.ru hijacker from Google Chrome.

Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"

Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase Safesearch4.ru hijacker from Mozilla Firefox.

Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.

Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall Safesearch4.ru hijacker from Microsoft Edge.

Step 1: Start Edge browser.

Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.

Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".

Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.

Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Safesearch4.ru hijacker from Safari.

Step 1: Start the Safari app.

Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.

Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".

Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.

Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.

Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Safesearch4.ru hijacker will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate Safesearch4.ru hijacker from Internet Explorer.

Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.

Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'

Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.

Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.

Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.