Guard-search.com virus: is it dangerous?
After searching for a new search engine, you may have encountered Guard-search.com virus. Unfortunately, it is not the right choice. It is capable of hijacking a computer. After that, it may alter the start page, change the default search engine and cause other unpleasant outcomes. If it has already shown up on your Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or another web browser, you shouldn’t ignore this because you may start suffering from such annoying things as Guard-search.com redirect to unknown websites. This activity does not only disturb fast browsing but may end up in an infected system. That is why we recommend you to start Guard-search.com removal immediately. In order to do that properly, install FortectIntego.
If you are not familiar with browser hijackers, you may not have an immunity to them yet. However, those, whose computer had been infected once, already can tell from a design of a search engine whether it is a hijacker or not. Ordinary questionable browsing tools are supplemented with several instant-access platforms to popular websites. However, this Guard-search.com browser hijacker might deceive quite many users due to its sophisticated outlook. Nonetheless, you should not let your guard down. Once you start using this browsing tool, you notice that the search results are altered in comparison with the ones provided by a legitimate search engine, like Google. Thus, there is a bigger probability that Guard Search may redirect you to advertising websites.

Since the owners of this websites collaborate with third-parties, they might not only redirect to their affiliated websites, which might not always be secure, but may also show their advertisements. As you know, any type of pop-up has a tendency o bombard you with commercial offers and banners. Consequently, such activity significantly deteriorates overall browsing experience. Moreover, Guard-search.com also collects technical information, including IP address, browsing activity, and the data about your operating system. As provided in the Privacy Policy, the developers of this browser hijacker mention that they may use your non-personal information, which might include personal details as well, for business, marketing, and other maintenance purposes. Thus, the data might be transferred to third parties as well. That is why you should get concerned about the safety of you data. After all, remove Guard-search.com as soon as possible.
How did the hijacker invade my computer?
The most popular method for spreading such browser hijackers is called “bundling.” This technique allows pinning down unwanted programs to download managers, PDF creators, video streaming software, etc. s. Thus, when a user selects “Basic” settings and then hits the “Install” button, the attachments get installed as well. That’s how Guard-search.com hijack took place. In order not to fall into the same trap twice, choose “Custom” or “Advanced” to see what “optional” apps are trying to get inside your PC. Only after you unmark all additional attachments, finish the installation process.
Can I quickly remove Guard-search.com?
The easiest way to eliminate the program is to run a full system scan with an updated anti-spyware program. It also serves as a trustworthy guardian of your entire operating system. It will ensure complete Guard-search.com removal in just a moment. Moreover, the program will also monitor the computer and ward off other malware. There is an alternative way how you can get rid of the hijacker – manual elimination. Attentively and cautiously go through each stage of the guidelines to delete Guard-search.com virus permanently.
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.

Did this guide help?
2 comments
Sienna
Another browser hijacker?
Kenneth
At least, its some serious virus.