Remove Mysearchprotect.com (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge)

Mysearchprotect.com is the search site that may expose you to dangerous content

Illustrating Mysearchprotect.com hijack

Mysearchprotect.com claims to be a legitimate search engine while it's not. Cybersecurity experts from NoVirus.uk^[1] warn that it's a genuine browser hijacker and potentially unwanted program (PUP), which seeks to compromise people's web browser's settings and initiate doubtful marketing campaigns later on. Its developers (not specified) promote the program online and distribute this app via freeware bundles and trick people into installing it by falsely claiming that it's a useful tool that combines Google, Yahoo, and Bing search results to provide the most accurate search results. No matter if it is installed intentionally or accidentally, the outcome is the same – the web browser's start page, search provider, new tab URL, and other settings are modified in a way to be related to the questionable program.

Name	Mysearchprotect.com
Category	Browser hijacker
Distribution	It comes as an additional piece during freeware installations, but can be found promoted online
Problems	The system gets slower due to the constant redirects and issues created on web browsers
Elimination	Run anti-malware tool and remove the programs that get indicated as dangerous. Then rely on tools like Fortect Intego to fix the particular system damage

As a result, the user of the hijacked web browser may be continuously redirected to http://www.mysearchprotect.com/ domain. Even though it might not seem suspicious at first, we must stress the fact that some of the links included in its search results may expose you to potentially dangerous websites.^[2]

The Mysearchprotect.com is infamous for close collaboration with untrustworthy third-parties, so be careful if your web browser gets redirected to unknown shopping websites, domains that promote Internet speed boosters or optimizers^[3], or urge to update software (Java, Flash Player, etc.) as you might end up with malware on your PC.

Besides, the faster you remove the suspicious program, the lower is the risk of information leakage. Although the start page of this dubious search engine does not include Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, beware that browser-based threats are set to track people's web browsing activities.

Although personally identifiable information can hardly be leaked via cookies and pixels, such software is sufficient for transferring Search Data, email addresses, IP addresses, and similar non-personally identifiable information to affiliated parties. The latter may further use the collected data for marketing purposes or may flood people's emails with spam.

If you noticed a significant increment of commercial and non-commercial advertisements within Mysearchprotect.com search results, the only way to get rid of them is to eliminate PUPs from the system. Note that pop-ups, banners, hyperlinks, and similar ads can not only be irritating but can also pose a risk of redirects to unsafe websites.

A printscreen of Mysearchprotect.com virus

The virus removal might not be an easy task. Many people reported that it keeps reappearing even if the user sets Google or another search as default and, therefore, considers it to be a severe computer infection. In fact, it's not malicious and cannot harm the system directly.

The reason why it evades removal is related to the multiplicity of relevant files and other PUPs that may not allow people to remove Mysearchprotect.com successfully. In case of any difficulties regarding its elimination, you can always entrust this task to a professional security tool, such as SpyHunter Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes Malwarebytes.

“Bundling” remains the most popular PUP distribution technique

Although PUPs can be distributed via fake software updates, pop-up ads, or suspicious websites, software bundling remains the most successful dissemination technique. Those who are not acquainted with this distribution technique should know that it relies on freeware.

PUP developers pay money to freeware developers for the possibility to disguise infamous add-ons, toolbars or extensions under Quick/Basic installation methods. This way, both freeware and PUP developers get the benefit. However, hundreds or even thousands of Internet users get tricked into installing unwanted programs.

The only reason why bundling is still considered legitimate is the fact that it spreads PUPs as optional components. People can always opt out of them by selecting the Advanced or Custom installation technique. However, since they often rush the installation and rely on quick installation methods, they miss the chance to unmark them. If you want to keep your web browser protected from redirects, ads, cookies, and similar changes, install free apps with extreme carefulness.

Comprehensive removal guide for cyber intruders

In comparison to Spyware, Trojan, Keylogger, or Ransomware infections, browser hijackers like the Mysearchprotect.com virus are not dangerous. Nevertheless, they can disrupt your web browsing activities and open the back door to other PUPs or severe computer infections.

Therefore, it's essential to remove Mysearchprotect.com from Chrome or another web browser. You can do that with the help of the guide submitted below. However, manual removal does not guarantee a successful elimination as you can miss some related components. To avoid difficulties and save your time, we recommend you get rid of the suspicious search engine with the help of anti-malware.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:

In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:

Select Go > Go to Folder.
Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:

Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
Then find On startup section.
Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
Select Details tab.
Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:

Click on Menu and go to Settings.
Select Privacy, search and services.
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Under Time range, pick All time.
Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

Click on Menu and select Settings.
On the left side, pick Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values.
Confirm with Reset.
This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
Select Add-ons.
In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:

Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
Choose Settings.
Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

Click Menu and pick Settings.
Go to Privacy & Security section.
Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
Click on Clear Data...
Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.
Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

Click on Menu and pick Settings.
Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:

Click menu and choose Settings.
Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

Click on Menu and select Settings.
In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:

Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:

Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

How to remove Mysearchprotect.com

Mysearchprotect.com is the search site that may expose you to dangerous content

“Bundling” remains the most popular PUP distribution technique