Secure-surf.net is a browser hijacker that is part of a large group of adware family. Secure-surf.net is a browser redirect program that can be risky when installed on the computer. This adware can replace home page with unknown search engine. This browser hijacker is bundled with suspicious free software that you may obtain from internet, especially when visiting questionable download sites. Similar to nearly all homepage hijacker, Secure-surf.net is technically not a virus. Even though it behaves like a virus, it is classed as potentially unwanted program or Adware. Once it is inside, it can perform certain changes but it does not destroy files neither contaminate other files on the PC. Adware or browser redirect such as Secure-surf.net aims only on issuing ads and redirect web pages for moneymaking purposes. Once Secure-surf.net and associated adware is installed on the PC, it directly set the homepage and search engine to said web address.
The homepage itself is not considered harmful, particularly if it is utilizing known search provider. Common sources of Secure-surf.net are third-party applications, malicious links, and fake software update. Either sources, the effect of this browser hijacker is likely inconvenient to victim. It hijacks the home page and overrides settings on known browsers like Edge, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Firefox. It also alters the default search engine that victims are force to utilize Secure-surf.net. Browser redirect and pop-up ads may also seen on affected browser from time-to-time. However, if ever it is resolving to unknown search engine other than Google, Bing, or Yahoo, there is a possibility that it can cause some harm on the computer. Redirecting to dubious search portal also endangers your online privacy.
Although, some valid programs also changes homepage and search settings on the computer, it is mostly with mandate of the computer user. In the case of Secure-surf.net, it alters these vital settings on the browser without seeking for user’s approval. If you are seeing Secure-surf.net as part of the browser, it only confirms that it is compromised. Browser hijacking intends to replace your search engine so that it can display ads on home page as well as search results. This can generate revenue for adware authors. However, users have nothing to gain aside from being annoyed by too much display of advertisements. For that ground, many users deemed Secure-surf.net as part of virus activity. Modifications are done abruptly during the initialization of the adware or downloaded freeware. Sadly, some free software does not disclose these proceedings. Due to these intrusive changes, most people suppose it as some kind of virus infection.
What does Secure-surf.net do to damage the computers?
Secure-surf.net hijacks your browser and redirects you to other malicious websites.
Secure-surf.net pops up lots of unwanted annoying popups.
Secure-surf.net slows down the PC performance severely.
Secure-surf.net opens backdoor to install other malware.
Secure-surf.net keeps updating and generating its rogue variants every day.
Secure-surf.net poses risks to privacy security.
How To Remove Secure-surf.net Browser Hijacker
Step 1. Uninstall all unknown programs from computer control panel
For Win 7/Vista
(1) You can access the Control Panel from the Start menu.
(2) click the “Uninstall a program” link under the “Programs” category
（3）Find out all unknown programs and applications related to Secure-surf.net and remove them. Note: Sometimes those malware infections may refuse to leave and display system errors. You can ignore those warnings and continue the next step.
For Win 8
1. Move your mouse cursor to the right edge of your screen >> select Search >> type in Control Panel and click it
2.Click on the “Control Panel” from the Apps search results. In the opened window select “Programs and Features“.
In the Programs and Features window select all suspicious programs and click on the “Uninstall” button.
Step 2. Check your Browser settings and remove all suspicious plug-ins, toolbars, add-ons, extensions from Internet Explorer/Google Chrome/Mozilla Firefox/Safari
For Chrome
1.Click the Chrome menu on the browser toolbar.
2.Click Tools.
3.Select Extensions.
4.Click the trash icon by the extension you’d like to completely remove (related to Secure-surf.net).
5.A confirmation dialog appears, click Remove.
For Firefox
1. Click the menu button
and choose Add-ons. The Add-ons Manager tab will open.
2.In the Add-ons Manager tab, select the Extensions or Appearance panel.
3. Select the add-on added by Secure-surf.net.
4. Click the Remove button.
5. Click Restart now if it pops up. Your tabs will be saved and restored after the restart.
For Internet Explorer
1. Open Internet Explorer;
2. Press Alt+T, or Click on Gear Icon in the right-top corner;
3. Click Manage Add-ons;
4. Select Toolbars and Extensions;
5. Find the suspicious add-on and Click Disable ;
6. Click More information button;
7. Click Remove
Besides the annoying popups and unexpected redirect problems, this Secure-surf.net also poses great risks to privacy security problems. Advanced cookies are added once this Secure-surf.net begins to active itself in the system. Day by day, the hackers can utilize the Secure-surf.net virus to capture what users are doing online. If there is anything related to sensitive information, users are under risks to privacy leakage. All in all, this Secure-surf.net should be removed completely without any delay.
