Searchprotector.net Browser Hijacker Removal

by Gergana Ivanova | August 30, 2017 | 0 Comments browser hijacker, browser redirect, removal guide

Threat Summary Distribution of Searchprotector.net Browser Hijacker Details of Searchprotector.net Impact Privacy Policy of Searchprotector.net Remove Searchprotector.net Efficiently

Searchprotector.net is a questionable search engine that may hijack popular browsers like Chrome, Mozilla, Safari, Explorer, Opera and other. According to its Privacy Policy when a user is on the website it doesn’t collect any personally identifiable information but only receive and record certain non-personally identifiable logs on its server. However, it is likely to be distributed via shady techniques so you may notice its presence on the computer even though you don’t remember installing it. Furthermore, Searchprotector.net may cause unexpected redirects to corrupted websites and diminish your browser performance by flooding it with annoying advertisements. As long as you are using Searchprotector.net browser hijacker, your system is vulnerable thus can be exploited by malware while information connected with you and your online behavior may be sold to third party services or used for advertising purposes.

This article provides detailed removal instructions that will help you to get rid of all files installed on your PC and browser by Searchprotector.net browser hijacker.

Threat Summary

Name	Searchprotector.net
Type	Browser Hijacker, PUP
Short Description	All browsers on your computer could be affected. The hijacker will redirect you and redirect your search queries.
Symptoms	Browser settings which are altered are the homepage, search engine, and new tab. A browser extension and a toolbar can be added, as well. Your browser can be flooded with targeted advertisements.
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 Searchprotector.net.

Distribution of Searchprotector.net Browser Hijacker

Such unwanted programs often access users’ PCs via the so called bundling technique. It allows authors of different freeware and paid apps to include browser hijacker installation files into the installation set up of their app. So the last time you installed free software, you may have unnoticeably installed Searchprotector.net as well. This is why it is good to look for Advanced or Custom options while installing programs instead of just clicking the Next button. Once you open the Advanced installation options, you can unmark all unwanted insets.

Details of Searchprotector.net Impact

The visible impact of Searchprotector.net browser hijacker is its presence in all installed browsers. It may modify browser settings to set its malicious URL as homepage and new tab destination. Also it may install an unwanted browser extension that is likely to generate many unwanted ads into the browser. Below you can see the homepage of Searchprotector.net browser hijacker:

The same page will be placed as your default search engine of the browsers you have. Currently, all search queries are redirected to Yahoo Search. It appears that Searchprotector.net is just a way of its creators to generate data about users’ online behavior without providing any real utility. Unfortunately, this information, as well as identifiable personal information provided by you, may be disclosed to third parties and used for advertising or malicious purposes. In the next part of the article, you can see what data is stated to be collected by Searchprotector.net browser hijacker.

Privacy Policy of Searchprotector.net

Once Searchprotector.net is installed on computer and browser, it starts recording certain information from your browser on its server including:

Your IP address
Browser type
Internet service provider (ISP)
Cookie information
Webpages that you visit

Searchprotector.net may request you provide an e-mail address in order to send you any offers, updates, newsletters, and service related announcements. However, for the sake of your security, it is better to avoid this action and continue with the removal process. Otherwise, your information may fall into the wrong hands making you a potential victim of aggressive advertising campaigns and malware attacks.

Remove Searchprotector.net Efficiently

Searchprotector.net may be tricky to remove. If you choose to get rid of it manually, there is a chance that some leftover will remain on the system. A more secure and efficient way to remove the hijacker is running a full system scan with the help of a trustworthy anti-malware tool. Such tool will detect and clean all potentially unwanted programs and keep your system safe in future.

Gergana Ivanova

Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.

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Guide 1: How to Remove Searchprotector.net from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of Searchprotector.net on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove Searchprotector.net in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase Searchprotector.net from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall Searchprotector.net from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove Searchprotector.net from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate Searchprotector.net from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable Searchprotector.net 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 Searchprotector.net from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Searchprotector.net

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 Searchprotector.net 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 Searchprotector.net 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 Searchprotector.net 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 Searchprotector.net 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 Searchprotector.net from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Searchprotector.net 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 Searchprotector.net:

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 Searchprotector.net. 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 Searchprotector.net. 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 Searchprotector.net 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 Searchprotector.net. 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 Searchprotector.net files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Searchprotector.net, 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 Searchprotector.net:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

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

Remove Searchprotector.net 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 Searchprotector.net 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 Searchprotector.net 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 Searchprotector.net 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 Searchprotector.net 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 Searchprotector.net 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.