7 Simple Techniques to Unlock Your Browser or a Single Webpage

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A step-by-step guide for quickly unlocking your internet browser
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Is your browser frozen or locked, and do you need to unlock it? This wikiHow article guides you through unlocking a locked browser from malware and settings, and shows you what to do if you don't want anyone else touching your web browser.

Easily Unlock Your Browser

To close browser windows affected by malware or ransomware, use Task Manager on Windows or Force Quit on a Mac. It's best to handle this yourself to avoid falling for scams. If you encounter a "Private Browsing is Locked" message on an Apple device, disable Locked Private Browsing on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Section 1 of 7:

Unlocking Your Browser in Windows

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  1. 1
    Open Task Manager. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc or by right-clicking inside your taskbar and selecting "Task Manager."
    • Task Manager will open to the "Processes" tab.
    • Follow these steps if your browser is locked by malware claiming you need to pay to unlock it. Fortunately, you can unlock it yourself for free!
  2. 2
    Click on your web browser. For example, if you are using Google Chrome as your browser, click on “chrome.exe” or "Google Chrome."
    • If the menu keeps jumping around and switching names, click the Name header, and everything will be sorted by name. If you have the list sorted by CPU , Memory , Disk , or Network , the items in the menu may jump as they use more or less resources.
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  3. 3
    Click End task . It's above the list of items next to an icon of a circle with a line through it.
    • Alternatively, right-click your web browser and select End task from the drop-down menu.
    • If malware was the cause, you should use Windows Security to get rid of it.
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Section 2 of 7:

Force Quitting Your Browser on Mac

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  1. You can do this two ways: 1. Press the Command, Option, and Escape keys all at the same time on your Mac computer or 2. Click the Apple logo and select Force Quit .
  2. It will highlight in blue to indicate that it is selected.
  3. 3
    Click Force Quit . Your browser will close immediately. [1]
    • If your browser was locked due to malware/ransomware, you should restart your Mac in Safe Mode so you can dispose of the malicious code or applications that are responsible.
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Section 3 of 7:

Disabling Locked Private Browsing on iOS

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  1. 1
    Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. If you see a locked icon with the words "Private Browsing Is Locked," you can follow these steps to unlock it.
    • Note that when this setting is turned on, private windows will lock under these conditions:
      • Safari isn't running in the foreground,
      • You switch from Private Browsing,
      • Your device locks.
    • Private windows won't lock if the page you're viewing hasn't loaded yet or if you're playing audio or video through them.
    • You can open the Settings app by tapping the app icon that looks like a gear.
  2. 2
    Tap Safari . More options will appear.
  3. 3
    Toggle the switch next to "Require Face ID…" to turn it off. If the switch is grey and pointing to the left, Private Browsing is off. [2]
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Section 4 of 7:

Disabling Locked Private Browsing on Mac

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  1. 1
    Open Safari. If you see a browser window with a locked icon and the words "Private Browsing is Locked," follow these steps to unlock it and turn off Private Browsing.
    • Private windows will lock under these conditions when this setting is enabled:
      • Safari isn't the active window for a period of time,
      • Your Mac locks,
      • Your Mac goes to sleep,
      • The screensaver starts.
    • Private windows won't lock if the page you're viewing hasn't loaded yet or if you're playing audio or video through them.
    • Click the Safari icon (a blue compass) from the Dock to open it.
  2. 2
    Click "Safari" in the menu bar and select Settings . You'll find the Safari menu in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Clicking it drops down a menu with more options.
    • Clicking "Settings" opens another window.
  3. 3
    Click Privacy . This option is near the middle of the menu with an icon of a palm facing outward.
  4. 4
    Unselect the box next to "Require Touch ID…" to disable that option. It's next to the "Private Browsing" header. When this box is empty, Private Browsing is off.
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Section 5 of 7:

Disabling SafeSearch in Chrome

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  1. 1
    Open Chrome. If you find that your browser's search is locked or that SafeSearch is preventing you from finding certain searches, you can fix that. However, if you are using a computer that is managed by a school, business, or organization, there might be policies in place that prevent you from changing the SafeSearch settings.
  2. 2
    Go to the SafeSearch page. Follow this link to find your SafeSearch settings.
  3. 3
    Select Off . You'll see a notification pop-up at the bottom of your screen when your changes are saved.
    • Click "More about SafeSearch" to expand the menu and read more about the filter settings.
    • The "More about SafeSearch" will also help you figure out why you can't change the settings if you keep getting an error. [3]
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Section 6 of 7:

Turning off Restricted Mode on YouTube

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  1. 1
    Open YouTube in any browser. You can use any browser to go to YouTube and sign in.
    • Alternatively, open the mobile app and sign in if needed.
  2. 2
    Click your profile picture. It's in the top right corner and will prompt a menu to drop down.
    • In the mobile app, your profile picture is in the bottom right corner, and clicking it will show you your channel.
  3. 3
    Click Restricted Mode . You'll see this near the end of the menu next to an icon of a shield. This should also say if it's on or off.
    • In the mobile app, tap the gear icon in the top right corner, then tap General . You'll see "Restricted Mode" near the bottom of the menu.
  4. 4
    Click the toggle to disable Restricted Mode. The toggle will be grey if it's disabled, and the toggle will let you know if you're "Activating" or "Deactivating" it. [4]
    • Once you deactivate Restricted Mode, YouTube will reload.
    • Remember that the toggle only changes Restricted Mode on that device. For example, you may have disabled Restricted Mode on your computer, but it will remain on for the app.
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Section 7 of 7:

Locking Your Browser

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  1. 1
    Get a third-party browser locking app or software. If you're concerned about privacy, you can get a third-party app that adds password protection and more to your web browser. Some popular ones include:
    • Cisdem App Crypt
    • BrowserLock
      • Many of those same third-party browser lockers also have browser extensions that you can get for extra security.
      • You can also lock your Android, iPhone, and iPad using mobile apps from these services. [5]
  2. 2
    Use built-in locking tools, like Screen Time. You can lock your browser so it's only active for a certain period of time before it locks. To set this up on a Mac, follow these steps:
    • Open System Settings > Screen Time.
    • Set up a Screen Time Password.
    • Go to App Limits and enable it.
    • Click Add Limit > Create a new app limit, and click the web browser you want to lock.
    • Set a time limit and click Done .
      • You'll see an in-app notification 5 minutes before the browser locks. The option to "Ask For More Time" will be available only if you created a Screen Time password.
      • If you are using OS 10.14 or earlier, Screen Time is called Parental Controls instead.
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      Tips

      • Keep updated anti-virus and anti-malware software running on your computer at all times to stave off any attacks by malicious third parties. Having anti-malware software running in the background could limit your exposure to viruses, malware, and ransomware.
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      Warnings

      • Do not pay the fine as requested by the malware to unlock your browser. Your money will be routed to cybercriminals who may use your personal information for malicious purposes, such as identity theft.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102586
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-lamr/105028
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/chrome/thread/176613170/unlock-safe-search?hl=en
      4. ↑ https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/174084?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Desktop
      5. ↑ https://www.cisdem.com/resource/lock-browser-safari-chrome-and-firefox.html

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