Web Protection for Chrome Search: what it is and how to remove it

Web Protection for Chrome Search - the potentially unwanted program that is designed to promote other sites, fake search engines, and manipulate particular browser settings, so those third-party pages and advertisements collect more views. These redirects, pop-ups, banners, other messages, and advertising material are created to ensure that views and clicks can create more pay-per-click revenue.

Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.

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Web Protection for Chrome Search: app
Web Protection for Chrome Search as our 2020 report showed it.

Web Protection for Chrome Search: summary

DistributionThe freeware installation processes when you skip through steps can lead to unwanted installs of such programs. You cannot control these processes when you go for quick installs and rely on shady sources from the internet
NameWeb Protection for Chrome Search
TypeBrowser hijacker/ unwanted browser application
SymptomsThe program triggers additional windows, browser pop-ups, banners, commercial content, so it manages to control what you visit the most. These unwanted redirects keep you from accessing normal useful content and using the device properly
IssuesThe main problem regarding the intruder is the affected internet speed and performance issues. There are many sites that you visit, but all of them are related to third-parties and can lead to privacy issues or identity theft if you think about ad-tracking[1] and other shady functions
Detection namesNo Microsoft detection name is known
Removal

Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged.

Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free.
Show 5 more facts
DamageNot recorded in the old report
Evidence4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited
ProgramWeb Protection for Chrome Search
First seen31 August 2020
Facts checked7 October 2026

Is Web Protection for Chrome Search dangerous? What it collects

From our report of Aug 2020 · not reviewed since

Web Protection for Chrome Search is the additional feature of the web browser that creates slowdowns and other issues with the computer

Web Protection for Chrome Search - the potentially unwanted program that is designed to promote other sites, fake search engines, and manipulate particular browser settings, so those third-party pages and advertisements collect more views.

These redirects, pop-ups, banners, other messages, and advertising material are created to ensure that views and clicks can create more pay-per-click revenue. The program is categorized as a potentially unwanted program because it manages to get on the machine unknowingly and hijack online searches with shady materials.

There are some programs related to this application and particular site, so you might end up visiting more harmful domains or clicking on pop-ups, banners. You should remember that the PUP has many shady functions and remove the intruder as soon as you notice any suspicious behavior.

Web Protection for Chrome Search is the application that creates redirects and shows you various advertisements, so the content that you searched for using the search engine is not accessible. The intruder directly changes the browser search engine, default homepage, new tab settings, and affects other functions to make revenue from all the page views, clicks on advertisements.

Web Protection for Chrome Search developers claims to offer the service that warns you about adult sites in search queries and removes potentially dangerous content from the suggestions. It should protect your device from malicious online material and keep the computer running smoothly because of this.

Unfortunately, there is nothing that Web Protection for Chrome Search PUP could offer in order to help your device or the security of the internet and content. This is the PUP that relies on promotional material delivery, browser settings modification, and other issues.

Web Protection for Chrome Search virus is the annoying program that triggers serious changes in the Windows Registry and other functions or features of the machine. Even though the program is browser-based there are many things that get altered and even damaged to affect the general performance of the device.

You need to take these features of the PUP into consideration when you think about the Web Protection for Chrome Search removal:

You should remove Web Protection for Chrome Search as soon as you notice those changes or get continuously redirected to the site that promotes suspicious applications or services. Always pay attention to anything that is not common or normal, especially when it comes to internet activities and settings.

Web Protection for Chrome Search more likely going to install other programs and files once the application gets added to the Google Chrome browser, so there are more procedures that the PUP itself can control. All these alterations can trigger issues with the PUP removal process or the performance in the future, so rely on and make sure to recover the damage too.

  • alterations to browser settings regarding online search functions;
  • additional installs on the machine or the web browser directly;
  • the slowness of the machine and the internet;
  • issues with the performance of the machine.
Web Protection for Chrome Search: app
Web Protection for Chrome Search in our 2020 report.
Web Protection for Chrome Search: pup
Web Protection for Chrome Search in our 2020 report.

From our report of Aug 2020 · not reviewed since

Take care of the general security of the computer to avoid random PUPs

You should pay close attention to details if you want to have the properly protected system and avoid installations of shady apps like browser hijackers, adware, and so on.

The best way to do so would be keeping the anti-malware or security tool running more often.

Experts often note that PUPs are shady and intrusive, so you allow them to the system without even noticing the additional piece. It is because one of the most common ways used to spread such infections - software bundling.

This technique is borrowed from marketing, and it allows PUP developers to spread their products during freeware installations when the user skips through steps and automatically agrees to everything. Go for Advanced or Custom options, so you can avoid this unwanted install altogether.

From our report of Aug 2020 · not reviewed since

You should clear all the intruders to stop suspicious Web Protection for Chrome Search virus activities

People that complain about the difficulty to remove Web Protection for Chrome Search also note that once the intruder is on the system, it creates issues with the speed and significantly diminishes the time online. It is not surprising because potentially unwanted programs can affect many browser functions and install additional apps without particular permissions.

You should consider this program a serious Web Protection for the Chrome Search virus and try to terminate it completely. You can achieve that by eliminating each related piece manually from the web browser directly. However, there are more issues that reside in the system functions and programs.

When considering Web Protection for Chrome Search removal options, take virus damage into consideration too. You need to clear the system from this unwanted application, the browser hijacker that triggers all the activities from the background and fix the damage that is created by adding files and programs behind your back.

From our report of Aug 2020 · not reviewed since

More from our earlier report on Web Protection for Chrome Search

  • You should remove Web Protection for Chrome Search from the machine, not the web browser alone.
  • So rely on an anti-malware program that could find and delete all the intruders or potentially dangerous applications
  • Restore the system to a normal state by repairing affected files and corrupted functions.
  • Tools like can help you with that

How to remove Web Protection for Chrome Search

Remove the extension first.

The search settings only stay fixed once nothing on the PC can change them again.

  1. Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add

    Web Protection for Chrome Search often works through an extension, so go through the extension list of each browser:

    • chrome://extensions
    • edge://extensions
    • Extensions and themes in Firefox

    Switch suspicious extensions off one at a time and reload the page where the problem shows, then remove the one that stops it, and any other you did not add.

    Remember the other browsers and profiles on the PC. If Remove is missing or greyed out, a policy forces the extension, which the policy step deals with. Windows 11 and Windows 10 show the same pages.

    Chrome menu with Extensions and Manage extensions highlighted
    Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension

  2. Step 2: Put the search engine back

    Web Protection for Chrome Search replaces the browser's default search engine, so searches pass through its own page first.

    Chrome: Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and site search, then Make default on Google, Bing or another engine you chose, and Delete on the entries you never added.

    Edge has the same list under Manage search engines (search the Settings page for it), and Firefox under Settings > Search.

    Look at On startup and the homepage settings too and remove any address you did not set. Nothing in this step differs between Windows 11 and Windows 10.

    Chrome Settings with the Search engine and On startup sections
    Chrome on Windows 11: check Search engine and On startup.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine

  3. Step 3: Uninstall Web Protection for Chrome Search

    Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11, or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10.

    Sort the list by install date and find Web Protection for Chrome Search, then choose Uninstall from the three-dot menu next to it (in Windows 10, click the entry and then Uninstall).

    Remove anything else installed on the same day that you do not recognise, because such programs usually arrive together in one installer. If the uninstaller opens a browser page with an offer or a survey, close it: the program is removed either way.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix

  4. Step 4: Reset the browser

    Finish the browser part with a reset, which puts the search engine, start page, new tab page and site permissions back to their defaults and switches extensions off. Chrome: Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults.

    Edge: Settings > Reset settings. Firefox: Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox, which also removes its extensions. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are kept, and the menus are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

    Chrome Settings page with the Reset settings section open
    Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine

  5. Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan

    Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.

    Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.

    Windows Security Scan options with Microsoft Defender Antivirus offline scan selected
    Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan

Instructions for each browser and system

The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.

Uninstall from Windows

The intruder might be annoying and intrusive, so rely on the guide and remove Web Protection for Chrome Search

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows
Remove from Google Chrome

You should rely on these steps and reset the browser fully, so anything related Web Protection for Chrome Search can be terminated

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

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

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2
Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

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

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

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

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Reset the homepage:

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

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

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

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2
Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Clear history and website data:

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

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari
Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

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

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Do not let government spy on you

The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices.

Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.

You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using VPN.

Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.

Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack

Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings.

Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact - you can set this process to be performed automatically.

When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use for the data restoration process.

Questions about Web Protection for Chrome Search

What is Web Protection for Chrome Search and why is it on my PC?

Web Protection for Chrome Search is a program that was installed on the PC, most likely together with something else you downloaded. Free software sites and many installers add extra programs on setup pages with pre-ticked boxes, so the extra install looks like your choice even though nobody read the page.

Check the install date in Settings, Apps, Installed apps: the program you installed that day is the probable carrier. If you do not need Web Protection for Chrome Search, uninstall it. If it belongs to your hardware or to a program you use, search its exact name and publisher first, because drivers and their tools can have unfamiliar names.

Web Protection for Chrome Search came back after I uninstalled it. Why?

Something else is reinstalling it. Common causes are a second program from the same publisher, a scheduled task that downloads it again, or a browser extension that keeps prompting for it. Sort Installed apps by install date and uninstall each entry from the same day that you did not choose.

Then open Task Scheduler and look in the Task Scheduler Library for tasks with updater-style names that you do not recognise. Check Startup apps in Task Manager too. If Web Protection for Chrome Search still returns, start Windows in Safe Mode, uninstall it there and run a Microsoft Defender offline scan, which looks for loaders that ordinary scans can miss.

Will resetting the browser remove Web Protection for Chrome Search?

A reset disables extensions, restores the default search engine, start page and new tab, and clears temporary data and cookies. It keeps bookmarks, history and saved passwords. For many hijackers that is enough.

It does not remove a program installed in Windows, policies in the registry, changes to the hosts file or DNS, or edited shortcuts, so Web Protection for Chrome Search can come back after a reset if one of those remains. Do the reset after removing the program and policies, not instead of it.

I changed the search engine, but it switched back. Why?

The hijacker is still installed, and it rewrites the setting whenever the browser starts or the extension updates. Changing the setting is the last step, not the first. Find what controls it: the search settings page usually names the extension, and a greyed-out field means a policy.

Remove that source, restart the browser, then pick your search engine and delete the hijacker's entry from the list of saved search engines so it cannot be chosen by accident. Check again after a day, when extensions have had a chance to update.

Should I just switch to another browser?

It may not help. Installers that add hijackers usually target every browser on the PC, and system-level changes such as the hosts file, DNS or proxy affect all browsers at once. A new browser also leaves the hijacker's program and extension in place, collecting data in the old one.

Remove Web Protection for Chrome Search properly first. After that, use whichever browser you prefer; Chrome, Edge and Firefox all let you set and protect your own search engine. Import your bookmarks only after the old browser is clean.

How did Web Protection for Chrome Search get on my computer?

Our report lists the distribution as the freeware installation processes when you skip through steps can lead to unwanted installs of such programs. You cannot control these processes when you go for quick installs and rely on shady sources from the internet.

Software of this kind often comes bundled with free programs, fake updates or downloads from unofficial sites. It can also arrive through a browser extension or a notification you allowed on a spam page. Think back to what you installed or allowed just before the first ad or redirect appeared.

Will my antivirus detect Web Protection for Chrome Search?

Not always, because our check found no Microsoft Defender detection name for it. Our check found no Microsoft Defender detection name for it, so a scan may not name it. Update the security program first, then run a full scan instead of a quick one.

Also scan with a second on-demand scanner, because one program can miss what another finds. A clean scan does not prove the signs are gone, so check the browser extensions and installed programs by hand too.

How do I stop the pop-ups and redirects from Web Protection for Chrome Search?

Remove the program or extension that causes them, then block notifications and reset the browser. Signs our report lists: The program triggers additional windows, browser pop-ups, banners, commercial content, so it manages to control what you visit the most.

These unwanted redirects keep you from accessing normal useful content and using the device properly. In Chrome open Settings, Privacy and security, Site settings, Notifications, and remove the site you do not know. Check the extensions list and the installed programs list for anything you did not add.

Will Fortect remove Web Protection for Chrome Search?

Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.

For Web Protection for Chrome Search, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.

Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.

Sources

  1. wikipedia: Ad-tracking (read October 7, 2026)
  2. Virusai: Virusai (read October 7, 2026)
  3. FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)
  4. Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 7, 2026)
  5. Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 7, 2026)

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