Remove Mysearchprotect.com (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge) - Virus Removal Instructions
Mysearchprotect.com search may expose you to dangerous content
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 Mysearchprotect.com virus 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 – web browser's start page, search provider, new tab URL, and other settings are modified in a way to be related to Mysearchprotect.com virus.
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 virus 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 Mysearchprotect.com, 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 hijackers 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 address, IP address, 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 withing Mysearchprotect.com virus 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.
Mysearchprotect.com removal will minimize the risk of data leakage and malware attack
The Mysearchprotect.com 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, consider it to be a severe computer virus. 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 ReimageIntego.
“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 a 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 Advanced or Custom installation technique. However, since they often rush the installation and relies 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 Mysearchprotect.com removal guide
In comparison to Spyware, Trojan, Keylogger or Ransomware infections, browser hijackers like 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 by the 2-spyware research team. 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 to get rid of Mysearchprotect.com search with the help of anti-malware.
You may remove virus damage with a help of ReimageIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
To remove Mysearchprotect.com, follow these steps:
Remove Mysearchprotect.com from Windows systems
In case of web browser's hijack, it's not sufficient to restore web browser's settings. Before that, you have to remove PUPs, which can be done by following these steps:
To remove Mysearchprotect.com from Windows 10/8 machines, please follow these steps:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find entries related to Mysearchprotect.com (or any other recently installed suspicious program).
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Get rid of Mysearchprotect.com from Mac OS X system
Remove Mysearchprotect.com from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for Mysearchprotect.com-related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove Mysearchprotect.com, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries related to Mysearchprotect.com and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the Mysearchprotect.com-related entries.
Delete Mysearchprotect.com from Internet Explorer (IE)
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for Mysearchprotect.com and other suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.
Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.
Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete…
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.
Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset again to complete Mysearchprotect.com removal.
Uninstall Mysearchprotect.com 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 Mysearchprotect.com-related extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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 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.
Erase Mysearchprotect.com from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Eliminate Mysearchprotect.com virus from Mozilla Firefox by resetting its settings:
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 plugins that are related to Mysearchprotect.com and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Options.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data…
- Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear.
Reset Mozilla Firefox
In case Mysearchprotect.com did not get removed after following the instructions above, 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 – this should complete Mysearchprotect.com removal.
Eliminate Mysearchprotect.com from Google Chrome
After removal of PUPs, you should disable all suspicious Chrome's extensions. The fastest way to do that is to reset the browser.
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 the suspicious plugins that might be related to Mysearchprotect.com 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 like Mysearchprotect.com 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 Mysearchprotect.com-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 to complete Mysearchprotect.com removal.
Remove Mysearchprotect.com from Safari
Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension related to Mysearchprotect.com and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Mysearchprotect.com registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: ReimageIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
Protect your privacy – employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
- ^ NoVirus. NoVirus. Virus and Spyware news.
- ^ Google Safe Browsing. SafeBrowsing. Official website.
- ^ Lucia Danes. Corrupt PC optimizers. 2-Spyware. The largest sources of security and tech-related information .
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