Removal instructions for Search-Guard browser hijacker and its redirects

What is Search-Guard?

After analyzing the Search-Guard browser extension, our researchers determined that it operates as a browser hijacker. This piece of software makes modifications to browser settings in order to promote (by causing redirects to) the search-guard.xyz fake search engine.

Search-Guard browser hijacker overview

When installed on our test system, Search-Guard changed the browser's default search engine, new tab/window, and homepage URLs to the search-guard.xyz website. Hence, every time we opened a new browser tab/window or searched the Web via the URL bar - it resulted in a redirect to search-guard.xyz.

Illegitimate search engines are rarely capable of providing search results, so they redirect to genuine ones. This also applies to search-guard.xyz; we observed it redirecting to the Bing search engine (bing.com). However, it is worth noting that search-guard.xyz may land elsewhere, as redirects can be determined by various factors - such as user geolocation and similar.

Furthermore, most browser hijackers use persistence-ensuring techniques to prevent users from recovering their browsers.

Browser-hijacking software usually spies on users' browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, etc.) and collects sensitive data extracted from it (personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, finance-related information, etc.). The gathered data can be monetized through sale to third-parties.

In summary, the presence of software like Search-Guard on devices - can lead to serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Search-Guard
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Browser Extension(s)	Search-Guard
Promoted URL	search-guard.xyz
Detection Names (search-guard.xyz)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (search-guard.xyz)	172.67.216.163
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Browser hijacker examples

We have analyzed thousands of browser hijackers; MySpace Tab, Moon Darker, and ProTabs New Tab are merely a couple of examples. Browser-hijacking software tends to appear legitimate and offers "handy" functionalities to trick users into download/installation. However, despite how good the features might sound - they are seldom operational.

How did Search-Guard install on my computer?

Browser hijackers are distributed using various dubious/deceptive methods. They can be bundled (packed together with) regular programs. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., ignored terms, skipped steps, etc.) - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Intrusive advertisements are also used in browser hijacker proliferation. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations.

Browser-hijacking software can also have "official" or scam download pages. Most users enter these webpages through redirects caused by sites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, or installed adware.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

We strongly advise researching software prior to download/installation and/or purchase. Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and verified channels. When installing, it is crucial to read terms, study available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings, and opt-out of all additions.

Another recommendation is being vigilant while browsing - since fraudulent and malicious content typically looks legitimate. For example, intrusive advertisements appear harmless yet redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., gambling, adult-dating, pornography, etc.).

If you experience ads/redirects of this kind, inspect your device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Search-Guard, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Appearance of search-guard.xyz redirecting to the Bing search engine (GIF):

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is Search-Guard?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Search-Guard application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Search-Guard browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove search-guard.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove search-guard.xyz redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Search-Guard browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "Search-Guard"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the search-guard.xyz website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Search-Guard browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Search-Guard" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Search-Guard", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.search-guard.xyz) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "search-guard.xyz", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search-guard.xyz redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "Search-Guard", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable "Search-Guard", remove hxxp://search-guard.xyz and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with search-guard.xyz redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the search-guard.xyz redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users to visit search-guard.xyz website?

You are forced to visit search-guard.xyz since redirects to such sites generate revenue for cyber criminals (i.e., developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers).

Is visiting search-guard.xyz a threat to my privacy?

To a certain extent, yes. Websites like search-guard.xyz typically collect (and sell) information about their visitors.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are primarily distributed via software bundling, misleading promotional sites, online scams, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) sharing networks, third-party and freeware download websites, fake updaters, spam browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Search-Guard browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan computers and eliminate installed browser-hijacking applications. Note that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be ideal in cases with multiple browser hijackers are present on the system. Sometimes when one browser hijacker is eliminated - the others simply re-install it. Additionally, browser-hijacking software may restrict access to removal-related settings or undo user-made changes. Therefore, it is paramount to remove browser hijackers thoroughly and all at once.

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