| Name | Search Armor |
| Type | PUP, Browser Hijacker |
| Short Description | The software is advertised as user-friendly but compromises the system. |
| Symptoms | The browser’s settings are changed, home page and new tab page included. |
| Distribution Method | Bundling, freeware pages, unsafe browsing. |
| Detection tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By Search Armor |
Many programs may appear to be trustworthy at first sight, but later they turn out to be troublesome. Search Armor fits the description of unwanted software that compromises the system’s behavior. It is advertised as a toolbar compatible with Chrome, Firefox, and Explorer, that should make online surfing safer. Instead, once the program is installed, it will change a number of settings and will take control of the browser. If you have Search Armor installed on your PC, you should consider scanning your system and removing all PUPs.
How Does Search Armor Affect the Browser?
According to research, Search Armor will run as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) when installed on Internet Explorer. When running on Firefox and Chrome, the program will work as an extension. However, what is common to the three browsers is that their settings will be changed. As a result, the user has his home page, new tab page and search page changed without his consent. That is why researchers refer to such PUPs to browser hijackers.
How Does Search Armor Affect the System?
As just mentioned, Search Armor changes various settings so that it runs every time the PC is started. Furthermore, if the user attempts to uninstall the program manually in the Add/Remove Programs, it will be only partially uninstalled. Since the PUP drops multiple files and possibly tempers with the registry entries, its complete removal requires expert knowledge or professional software.
Keep in mind that during installation, Search Armor registers itself to start each time the system is rebooted. This is done through a Windows Schedule Task. The primary executable file is SearchArmor.exe.
IMPORTANT
Several anti-virus programs have detected malware components in the primary executable. Two of the other .exe files that may be threatening to the system are:
- SearchArmorUpd.exe
- uninstall.exe
Due to the software’s characteristics, experts recommend its immediate removal. Let’s repeat what Search Armor does on the PC:
- It’s highly possible that it installs malware on the system.
- It runs automatically upon reboot.
- It hijacks the browser’s settings and changes the home page.
How Should Search Armor be Removed?
Because the program alters a number of settings on the system and may affect the Registry, professional assistance may be needed. Nonetheless, users that feel confident to deal with the PUP alone can refer to the manual instructions provided below.
Step 1: Remove/Uninstall Search Armor 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 Search Armor.
Step 2: Remove Search Armor 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 Search Armor and click “Remove”
After Search Armor is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.
Select Search Armor 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 Search Armor 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 Search Armor
Click ‘Uninstall’
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall Search Armor. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the Search Armor will be removed.
In order to remove any associated objects that are left after uninstall and detect any other threats, you should:
Step 3: Start Your PC in Safe Mode to Remove Search Armor.
Removing Search Armor from Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Removing Search Armor from Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 systems:
Substep 1:
Open the Start Menu
Substep 2:
Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Substep 3:
After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.
Substep 4:
You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.
Substep 5:
After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Substep 6:
Click on Restart.
Substep 7:
A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart and boot into Safe Mode so you can scan for and remove Search Armor.
Step 4: Remove Search Armor automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.
To clean your computer you should download an updated anti-malware program on a safe PC and then install it on the affected computer in offline mode. After that you should boot into safe mode and scan your computer to remove all Search Armor associated objects.
