How to remove browsing-guard.xyz from the settings of a web browser
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What is browsing-guard.xyz?
After examining browsing-guard.xyz, our team has determined that it is a fake search engine. It is worth mentioning that such search engines are typically pushed through applications that alter the configuration of web browsers, referred to as browser hijackers. Users rarely download and add apps of this type intentionally.
More about browsing-guard.xyz
As with most fake search engines, browsing-guard.xyz is unable to produce search results and instead redirects to Bing (bing.com). However, the landing page may differ depending on various factors, such as the user's location.
It is important to mention that using shady search engines could lead users to fake websites that mimic legitimate ones, thereby deceiving users into disclosing sensitive information, including login credentials, credit card numbers, and other personal data. Additionally, browsing-guard.xyz may display misleading advertisements and gather user data.
Therefore, it is important for users to exercise caution and stick to reliable search engines such as Google, Bing, or others. As mentioned earlier, most dubious search engines are promoted through browser-hijacking applications.
Such applications alter the browser's homepage, search engine, and new tab page to promote fake or shady search engines like browsing-guard.xyz. Furthermore, they might add toolbars, extensions, or add-ons that could gather user data or track online behavior.
| Name | browsing-guard.xyz browser hijacker |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Supposed Functionality | Accurate search results |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Detection Names | Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Seclookup (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 162.255.119.100 |
| 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. |
More about browser hijackers
After the user's browser has been hijacked, it can be challenging to eliminate the unwanted search engine and restore the original settings. Users may need to use anti-malware software or follow specific instructions to remove the hijacker and return their browser to its default state.
Certain browser hijackers may acquire personal information from the user's browser, such as search queries and browsing history, and send them to third parties without the user's consent. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to avoid using any browser-hijacking applications.
Examples of apps that hijack web browsers to promote dubious or fake search engines include Clipbox Tab, Bizzy Beaver, and Qwik Search.
How did browsing-guard.xyz promoting software install on my computer?
Some free software can include browser hijackers as part of their installation process. If users do not read the installation prompts carefully or do not choose the "Custom" or "Advanced" installation option, they may end up installing/adding a browser hijacker.
Clicking on suspicious or malicious links and advertisements can also lead users to websites that automatically install/add browser hijackers without their knowledge or consent.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
Always download software from reputable sources, and pay attention to the installation prompts. Choose the "Custom" or "Advanced" installation option and carefully review all the components that are being installed.
Do not trust ads on questionable pages, and do not agree to receive notifications from web pages of this kind. Ensure your browser is updated to the latest version. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Browsing-guard.xyz redirects to bing.com (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:
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Quick menu:
- What is browsing-guard.xyz?
- STEP 1. Uninstall unwanted applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove browsing-guard.xyz browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove browsing-guard.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove browsing-guard.xyz redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
browsing-guard.xyz redirect 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, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the browsing-guard.xyz website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
browsing-guard.xyz redirect 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 all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.browsing-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 "browsing-guard.xyz", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the browsing-guard.xyz browser hijacker, 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 and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove hxxp://browsing-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 "Accept the Risk and Continue".
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 browsing-guard.xyz browser hijacker 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 browsing-guard.xyz browser hijacker, 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 visit browsing-guard.xyz website?
Developers of fake search engines and browser hijackers generate revenue by redirecting users to websites such as browsing-guard.xyz. Their income depends on the popularity of their search engines.
Is visiting browsing-guard.xyz a threat to my privacy?
It is highly probable that browsing-guard.xyz and similar websites collect and sell user data. Thus, visiting them can cause issues related to online privacy.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are mainly disseminated through various means, such as bundled installers, questionable download sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.), fraudulent online activities, unsolicited browser notifications, and intrusive advertisements.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove a browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning computers and removing identified browser-hijacking applications. However, it should be noted that manual removal may be tricky: if the system has been infiltrated by multiple browser hijackers, removing one of them may result in the others simply reinstalling it. In these cases, users have to eliminate all browser hijackers simultaneously.
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