| Name | guard-search.com |
| Type | search engine, free application |
| Short Description | Guardbox promises to guard users against online frauds and phishing attacks. It installs its own search engine. |
| Symptoms | The search provider is changed to guard-search.com. |
| Distribution Method | Via freeware packages (bundling), or from its official website. |
| Detection tool | Download SpyHunter, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By guard-search.com |
Guardbox.net or guard-search.com is a search engine developed by IncrediMail, Inc. It may take over the user’s browser without his permission or knowledge. Hence, it may be regarded a browser hijacker. Guard-search uses results by Bing. However, as explained in the Privacy Policy section, the developers of the search provider may obtain certain information from its users and thus, may compromise their online anonymity.
Why Do I Have guard-search.com as My Homepage?
One of the primary reasons users end up having unpermitted search providers set as default is their downloading habits. In most cases, the average user who has decided to download a free software product, doesn’t pay attention to its Download Agreement, Privacy Policy, EULA, etc. Thus, he ends up having unwanted software installed on his machine – mostly PUPs and ad-supported applications.
This scenario applies to a prevalent number of browser ‘infections’ – because a PUP has entered the system, the browser’s settings have been changed, including its search page, error page and tabs. Browser hijackers and third party search engines are also known to redirect users to suspicious pages that may be employed for drive-by downloads or phishing attacks.
In the case of Guardbox.net and guard-search.com, a particular software most likely has been downloaded – GuardBox. The same company has developed both the product and the search engine. GuardBox promises users to protect their computers from online frauds and phishing attacks. Once the software is downloaded, the settings of the default browser will be changed, possibly registry keys will be added as well.
GuardBox Software Description
The setup package of GuardBox generally installs three files:
- GuardboxApp.exe
- node.exe
- Uninstaller.exe
Should I Uninstall Guardbox?
Overall, the program doesn’t appear harmful. However, if users have it installed on their systems without noticing (via the bundling method), they may want to remove it. The website provides uninstallation steps. Nonetheless, using professional software to scan the system is always a good idea. Refer to the removal steps below the article to uninstall all files associated with GuardBox.
Spy Hunter scanner will only detect the threat. If you want the threat to be automatically removed, you need to purchase the full version of the anti-malware tool.Find Out More About SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool / How to Uninstall SpyHunter
1. Remove/Uninstall guard-search.com in Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps to remove that program. No matter if you are using Windows 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 get left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, mistakes 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:
Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall” (fig.3).
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall guard-search.com.
2. Remove guard-search.com from your browser
Remove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox
Remove a toolbar from Google Chrome
Remove a toolbar from Internet Explorer
Remove a toolbar from Safari
Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu
Select guard-search.com and click “Remove“
After guard-search.com is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Select guard-search.com to remove, and then click ‘Disable’. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected toolbar, and some additional toolbars might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click ‘Disable’.
After guard-search.com has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ in the top right corner and start it again.
Open the drop menu by clicking on the sprocket icon in the top right corner.
From the drop menu select ‘Preferences’
In the new window select ‘Extensions’
Click once on guard-search.com
Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall guard-search.com. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the guard-search.com will be removed.
3. Remove guard-search.com automatically with Spy Hunter Malware – Removal Tool.
To clean your computer with the award-winning software Spy Hunter –
It is highly 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.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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- Guide 1: How to Remove guard-search.com from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of guard-search.com from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove guard-search.com from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase guard-search.com from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall guard-search.com from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove guard-search.com from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate guard-search.com from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove guard-search.com from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove guard-search.com
Step 2: Uninstall guard-search.com 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by guard-search.com 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 guard-search.com there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
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.
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of guard-search.com from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall guard-search.com and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- 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 guard-search.com 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:
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 guard-search.com files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as guard-search.com, 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove guard-search.com 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
Erase guard-search.com 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
Uninstall guard-search.com 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
Remove guard-search.com 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 guard-search.com will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate guard-search.com 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.
