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.
- Guide 1: How to Remove SearchShield(.)co from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of SearchShield(.)co from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove SearchShield(.)co from 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove SearchShield(.)co from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove SearchShield(.)co
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:
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:
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 SearchShield(.)co from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall SearchShield(.)co 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 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:
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 malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner 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 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
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
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
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
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.
