How to remove ByteFence Secure Browsing (Virus Removal Guide)
What is ByteFence Secure Browsing?
ByteFence Secure Browsing is recognized as a malicious browser extension by reputable antivirus engines due to suspicious data collection habits and browser redirects. The extension is distributed and published by the makers of known malware ByteFence.
The ByteFence Secure Browsing extension is self-described as a free browser plugin that protects you from browsing to malicious URLs and allows you to safely search the web. However, these claims are false as the extension simply redirects you to a website they control such as secured-search.com and then to a popular search engine such as us.search.yahoo.com. This is a common tactic that many malicious browser extensions utilize in order to track what people search for online before showing directing them to a proper search engine. In no way is this a secure search method.
In addition, the ByteFence Secure Browsing browser extension has permission to read and change all your data on the websites you visit, display notifications, change your search settings to: secured-search.com, read and change your bookmarks, manage your downloads, and manage your apps, extensions, and themes.
With the high volume of data collection maintained by the ByteFence Secure Browsing extension users may experience unwanted phone calls, junk mail at home, and spam email messages.
Furthermore, when the ByteFence Secure Browsing extension is installed it will change the default internet browser’s default search provider, homepage (start page), and new tab page. This causes the infected web browser to redirect to third-party websites when a new browser window is opened, a new tab is opened, or a search is made in the Omni box.
Here are a few known symptoms that may occur when the ByteFence Secure Browsing is installed:
- Pop-up advertisements
- Pop-up notifications
- Hijacked homepage
- Hijacked search provider
- Hijacked new tab page
- Constant browser redirects
- Suspicious browser extensions installed
- Suspicious programs on your PC
- Slower browsing experience
- Slow and sluggish PC
It must also be mentioned that the ByteFence Secure Browsing extension does not function as advertised; it does not recognize malicious URLs and therefore cannot protect users from malicious websites. The ByteFence Secure Browsing extension appears to only be designed to advertise the malicious and dubious ByteFence antivirus program.
How to remove ByteFence Secure Browsing (Virus Removal Guide)
In this ByteFence Secure Browsing removal guide, we advise you to first remove the ByteFence Secure Browsing extension, then scan your computer for malware with reputable antivirus software. Follow the steps below to remove this extension and other threats that are present on your computer.
Remove ByteFence Secure Browsing extension
Scan your computer for malware with ESET Smart Security
Clean up and repair settings with CCleaner Professional
More removal and repair options
Remove ByteFence Secure Browsing extension
Google Chrome
- Run Chrome.
- Open the menu and go to More tools > Extensions.
- Locate the extension and click the Remove button.
Mozilla Firefox
- Run Firefox.
- Open the menu and go to Add-ons.
- Locate the extension and click the Remove button.
Scan your computer for malware with ESET Smart Security
1. Download and install ESET Smart Security. *When installing ESET Smart Security, select the option to enable detection of potentially unwanted applications (if applicable).
2. Once ESET Smart Security is installed, open the program and navigate to the Computer scan tab.
ESET Smart Security may automatically update and perform an initial scan. The ‘initial scan’ takes longer to complete than a normal computer or removable media scan. It is recommended to perform a second scan following the initial scan.
3. Click Scan your computer to scan all local disks and clean threats.
Clean up and repair settings with CCleaner Professional
1. Download and install CCleaner Professional.
2. Once CCleaner Professional is installed, open the program and navigate to the Easy Clean tab.
3. Click the Analyze button to find trackers and junk files that CCleaner Professional can remove.
4. When the analysis is complete, click the Clean All button.
5. Next, go to the Registry tab and click the Scan for Issues button.
6. When the scan is complete, click the Fix selected Issues… button.
7. As a precaution, click Yes to back up the registry before making changes to it and save the Reg File (.reg) file to your computer.
8. Click the Fix All Selected Issues button and then click Close once all problems have been removed.
More removal and repair options
ESET Smart Security is one of the top Antivirus and internet security program on the market and CCleaner Professional is arguably the only respected Windows System Utility program; However, in rare cases, even the best Antivirus program can miss small trace files and potential threats.
Perform a second-opinion scan with HitmanPro.Alert
HitmanPro.Alert is a powerful anti-malware program that detects and removes known malicious files, trackers, and registry entries related to viruses, rootkits, trojans, ransomware, adware, worms, spyware, and other malware. What makes HitmanPro.Alert stand out is that it will remove a large sample of malicious or potentially malicious files than most antimalware and antivirus programs.
- Download and install HitmanPro.Alert.
- Once HitmanPro.Alert is installed, open the program and click the Scan Now button.
- When the scan is complete, click the Quarantine Selected button.
