Remove SearchShield(.)co Browser Hijacker Totally from Your Computer

by Berta Bilbao | August 9, 2016 | 0 Comments ad-supported application, browser extension, browser hijacker, redirects

Threat Summary SearchShield(.)co – Delivery Ways SearchShield(.)co – Detailed Information SearchShield(.)co – Privacy Policy Remove SearchShield(.)co Completely from Your PC

SearchShield(.)co is one of the many domains and the main search engine for a browser hijacker. The hijacker can redirect you and can show you sponsored content and various advertisements on the search results page. SearchShield(.)co can modify the homepage, new tab and the search engine of most browsers. A related browser extension can be added as well and is spread in various ways. To remove the hijacker and all of its files, you should read the article through.

Threat Summary

Name	SearchShield(.)co
Type	Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description	Every browser on your computer might be affected. The hijacker can filter your searches and might redirect you.
Symptoms	Browser settings which can be changed are the homepage, search engine, new tab. An extension can be added as well. You will see sponsored content and advertisements in search results.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss SearchShield(.)co.

SearchShield(.)co – Delivery Ways

SearchShield(.)co has quite a few delivery ways. Third-party installers are one of the main ways in which the program could install to your computer system. Bundled software and freeware packages can insert the hijacker inside your computer. The installer setups might have more components set for installation, by default. Different settings could be tampered with on your computer and browser before you even come to see it. Avoiding installations like that can be managed if you find Custom or Advanced settings from where to deselect certain components.

SearchShield(.)co could use many ways to push its search engine onto your browser apps. One of the ways is through a direct download/install button on its main site shown in the image on top of the page. Another is with the help of a browser extension, which is also found on the Google Chrome web store, as shown in the image directly above this paragraph. Advertisements, such as banners and pop-ups might also spread its distribution. The hijacker could be distributed with redirects hosted on suspicious websites and one of those redirects is srchshld(.)com. Many websites like that could be somehow affiliated with SearchShield(.)co. The following browsers could be affected: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari and Mozilla Firefox.

SearchShield(.)co – Detailed Information

SearchShield(.)co is the primary domain of a browser hijacker and it serves as its search engine. You can see the web page and the logo of the hijacker in the screenshot down here:

The SearchShield(.)co domain is compiled of a search bar, logo, download button, and a couple of links directing to information about the hijacker like its EULA. That page is set as the go-to default page of your browsers, replacing their default search engine, new tab, and homepage. Your browser preferences might be modified, as well. There is also an extension which can be installed from the main domain of the hijacker, from the above-mentioned download button and Google’s Chrome web store.

It can do the following things:

Read and change all your data on the websites you visit
Change your privacy-related settings

If any programs tied to SearchShield(.)co find its place inside your computer or browser software, then you will notice a change in the behavior of your browsers. Extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins can generate advertisements and redirect you when you browse. You could witness third-party sponsored content around sites. Such websites could be connected to SearchShield(.)co.

You can see above, in the picture, the appearance of the SearchShield(.)co search results. As you can clearly see there is a lot of sponsored content and adverts and they even cover the whole results page. You also get redirected to the search results page of another domain. All the following domains are connected to the browser hijacker and can filter your searches and redirect you:

https://SearchShield(.)co
Srchshld(.)com
https://search.assist(.)ly

Any information that is filtered goes through the servers of SearchShield(.)co and its affiliates. Be careful with whatever information you input and about your browsing habits when using the hijacker services. Continue to read and find out what exactly can be obtained from you by SearchShield(.)co.

SearchShield(.)co – Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy of the SearchShield(.)co gives details about the actions which the owners of the hijacker take. It becomes clear from the Policy that both personal and anonymous (technical) information is obtained from you. All information which is collected from you is shared with multiple third-parties with which the hijacker’s owners do business with, as stated in the said policy.

You can view the Privacy Policy on this image:

According to the Policy, the following data can be collected:

Personal Information

Your name
Your Address
Electronic mail (email) address
Phone number
Credit card information

Anonymous Information

Domain names
IP addresses
Type of browsers that you may use
URLs you have visited
Referring URLs
Other, non-personally identifiable information

Purchasing, using or trying out any software, extensions or services in any way related to SearchShield(.)co you automatically give your approval for the hijacker software to collect information about you and your browsing activity. Be very careful in what you write, when you conduct searches in such applications. If you don’t want your privacy to be invaded like that, you should remove this browser hijacker and its associated files.

Remove SearchShield(.)co Completely from Your PC

To remove SearchShield(.)co manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the hijacker and all of its files completely, you should search for and remove any leftovers with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software can keep your computer secure in the future.

Berta Bilbao

Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.

Guide 1: How to Remove SearchShield(.)co from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of SearchShield(.)co on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove SearchShield(.)co in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase SearchShield(.)co from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall SearchShield(.)co from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove SearchShield(.)co from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate SearchShield(.)co from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable SearchShield(.)co Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

How to Remove SearchShield(.)co from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove SearchShield(.)co

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall SearchShield(.)co 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:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by SearchShield(.)co 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 SearchShield(.)co there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

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.

IMPORTANT!
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.

Step 4: Scan for SearchShield(.)co with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is 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. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of SearchShield(.)co from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall SearchShield(.)co and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to SearchShield(.)co:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to SearchShield(.)co. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to SearchShield(.)co. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

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 SearchShield(.)co 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:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as SearchShield(.)co. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

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 SearchShield(.)co files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SearchShield(.)co, 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.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for SearchShield(.)co:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove SearchShield(.)co 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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase SearchShield(.)co 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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall SearchShield(.)co 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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove SearchShield(.)co 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 SearchShield(.)co will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate SearchShield(.)co 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.