Guard Search Browser Hijacker: Protecting Your Browsing Experience

Browser hijackers are a type of malware designed to manipulate your web browser’s settings without your consent. Their primary aim is to alter your browser’s homepage, default search engine, and new tab page to benefit their creators, usually by redirecting your web traffic or displaying unwanted advertisements. This form of malware often infiltrates browsers and systems through deceptive practices and can significantly impact both the functionality of your system and your personal browsing experience.

General Purpose and Impact

Browser hijackers generally aim to redirect users to specific websites, which may be used for monetization through ad revenue or other means. Unlike adware, which primarily focuses on displaying ads, browser hijackers change your browser settings to redirect your searches and homepages to specific sites. This redirection can result in a diminished browsing experience and potential exposure to further security risks, such as phishing sites or malicious downloads.

Guard Search Browser Hijacker: Overview

Guard Search is a specific example of a browser hijacker. Once installed, it alters your browser settings, making guard-search.com or similar domains your new homepage and default search engine. It commonly infiltrates systems through software bundles, where users unknowingly agree to install it alongside other free software. The installation process is often deceptive, hidden within the installation setups of legitimate software, making it difficult for users to detect.

Guard Search redirects users to its domain whenever they attempt to search for something or open a new tab. This behavior not only disrupts normal browsing but also increases the risk of encountering potentially harmful content. The hijacker often generates revenue by promoting specific websites or products through these redirections.

Detection Names

If you have scanned your computer for malware and are looking for specific detection names, you might encounter the following terms used by various anti-malware programs:

• GuardSearch
• GuardSearch Browser Hijacker
• Guard Search Redirect
• Adware:Win32/GuardSearch

These detection names can help identify if Guard Search is present on your system and needs to be removed.

Similar Threats

Other browser hijackers similar to Guard Search include:

• Delta Search
• MyWay Search
• CoolWebSearch
• Search-Result

These threats function in a similar way by altering browser settings and redirecting web traffic to promote specific websites.

Detailed Removal Guide

To remove Guard Search from your system, follow these detailed steps:

1. Uninstall Suspicious Programs:
   • Windows 10/11:
     1. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
     2. Look for suspicious programs that you don’t recognize, which might include names related to Guard Search.
     3. Click on the program and select Uninstall.
   • Windows 7/8:
     1. Open the Control Panel.
     2. Go to Programs > Programs and Features.
     3. Find any suspicious programs, right-click, and select Uninstall.
2. Remove Browser Extensions:
   • Google Chrome:
     1. Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner.
     2. Go to More tools > Extensions.
     3. Find any extensions related to Guard Search and click Remove.
   • Mozilla Firefox:
     1. Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner.
     2. Go to Add-ons > Extensions.
     3. Find and remove any extensions related to Guard Search.
   • Microsoft Edge:
     1. Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the upper-right corner.
     2. Go to Extensions.
     3. Locate any extensions related to Guard Search and select Remove.
3. Reset Browser Settings:
   • Google Chrome:
     1. Go to Settings.
     2. Scroll down and click Advanced.
     3. Under Reset and clean up, select Restore settings to their original defaults and confirm.
   • Mozilla Firefox:
     1. Go to Help (question mark icon) > Troubleshooting Information.
     2. Click Refresh Firefox and confirm.
   • Microsoft Edge:
     1. Go to Settings.
     2. Select Reset settings > Restore settings to their default values and confirm.
4. Perform a Full System Scan:
   • Download and install SpyHunter.
   • Run a full system scan to detect and remove any residual files or registry entries associated with Guard Search.
5. Check for Additional Threats: Sometimes, browser hijackers come bundled with other malware. Ensure that your anti-malware tool scans for all potential threats to keep your system clean.

Preventing Future Infections

To prevent browser hijackers like Guard Search from infecting your system in the future:

• Always download software from reputable sources.
• Pay attention to the installation steps and uncheck any additional software you don’t recognize.
• Regularly update your operating system and applications.
• Use reliable anti-malware software and keep it updated.

Conclusion

Guard Search is a browser hijacker that disrupts your browsing experience by altering your browser settings and redirecting your searches. By following the removal guide provided and taking preventive measures, you can protect your system from such threats. For a thorough and reliable solution, consider downloading SpyHunter to scan your computer for free.