Protect what kind of program how to uninstall. Disabling Protect protection in Yandex.Browser. Instructions for manual removal of Search protect

The question of how to uninstall Search Protect is becoming very relevant today, as this web browser hijacker (hijacker) along with its progenitor Internet Search has become very active lately. But getting rid of this unwanted application, which can be activated in the system or in browsers as a main search engine or add-on, can be quite simple. The following offers several options for solving this problem, but most of them come down to manual removal of the threat. Although this virus is not considered particularly dangerous, it is nevertheless capable of causing quite serious damage to the operating system and user's computer in terms of increasing the load on system resources, spying, or adding ads and redirects to browsers, which can not only slow down their work, but also lead to complete dysfunction.

The program is?

First, a few words about understanding what this threat is and how it can affect computer systems that have an Internet connection.

Protect manually, will be discussed a little later and in as much detail as possible, but first we will dwell on the symptoms of infection. Like any other hijacker of this class, the application first completely changes the settings of the start page of absolutely all web browsers that are installed on the user's computer, after which it embeds its own search engine (despite the ones offered in the list of main ones), which, alas, only redirects ( the so-called redirect) to Internet resources of an advertising nature or those that may contain similar viruses.

Automatic threat detection by the same anti-virus scanners does not always work. But the question of whether Protect manually (and this is done in this mode) has a fairly simple solution that allows you to get rid of the virus once and for all. True, you will have to, as they say, roll up your sleeves and follow the instructions below.

How to uninstall Search Protect: standard uninstall using Windows tools

To get started, you can try to use the standard section of programs and system components, presented in the "Control Panel". In the seventh version of the system and below, access can be obtained through the usual menu called by pressing the "Start" button. For Windows 10, in order not to deal with transitions from one section to another, it is better to immediately call the Run console and write the control line there.

How to uninstall Search Protect? Elementary! If the applet is in the list of installed applications (sometimes it can be indicated by the Conduit postscript), just select it and click the delete button on top, and then wait for the process to finish. But here, as they say, a double-edged sword - depending on which of the uninstallers works (either the system one or the one built into the program). In neither case is there a guarantee that the application will be completely removed from the system.

Manual removal using your own uninstaller

Sometimes this technique does not work, or the program simply may not be displayed among the installed applications. How to uninstall Search Protect in such a situation? You need to use its own uninstaller.

Strange, of course, but the threat is not only not masked in the system, but also has its own uninstall tool, which is presented in the form of the Uninstall.exe executable file in the XTab directory located in the Program Files directory. But before performing these actions in the Task Manager, you need to end the virus process of the same name and all the others that are similar in name or simply suspicious.

Residual debris cleaning

After that, you need to check the system for the presence of residual components. First of all, check the user's Local and Roaming folders in the AppData directory. After that, be sure to clean up temporary files in the TEMP directories (just search through the runtime console with the %TEMP% parameter).

Then you need to clean the registry keys. But if you set Search Protect in the search field, you will not get a result, since all the main keys correspond to the names Condoit or Conduit, which you need to enter.

Using a Third Party Uninstaller

But in some cases, to simplify the virus removal procedure, you can also use universal automated tools. For example, we can recommend iObit Uninstaller, which can be used as an uninstaller for Search Protect.

Only in such programs, after the standard uninstall tool of the selected application has been triggered, it is additionally necessary to activate an in-depth search for residual components (usually a powerful scan tool), and then delete all found objects, including registry keys, directories and files with their destruction installation.

System scan and browser settings

But the solution to the problem of how to remove Search Protect manually is not limited to these measures. The settings of the browsers themselves, into which, in fact, this virus is embedded, remain on the agenda.

The first step in any browser is to enter the add-ons (extensions) section and remove or disable virus panels. In this case, they will have Conduit in their name.

After that, through RMB (right mouse button) on the browser shortcut, you need to call the appropriate menu and view the full path to the executable EXE file. There should be nothing after the extension. If there is something, just delete and save the changes.

If manual cleaning does not help, you can try to solve the question of how to remove Search Protect by using utilities like AdwCleaner or Rescue Disk disk programs that are able to scan hard drives even before the OS starts, identifying all present threats or potentially dangerous applets.

If the Search protect icon appears on the display of your PC, sound the alarm - roll up your sleeves and start cleaning the operating system. Despite its "useful" name - here you have both protection (protect) and search (search) - this application promises some trouble:

changes the start page in browsers, controls add-ons: sets the address of its search engine (mystartsearch.com);
can add a toolbar to the interface of Internet browsers;
integrates scripts with ad units containing potentially dangerous links into web pages;
registered in the tray (always stays in active mode, takes PC resources);
masked in the OS (it is not in the list of installed software).

Plus, the malware stealthily penetrates the system. As a rule, during the installation of free programs (through infected installers).

Below are two instructions detailing how to uninstall Search protect. First of all, use automatic liquidation (more reliable and faster!), And only in case of failure, clean the OS manually.

Method number 1: automatic removal

1. Find and neutralize completely unwanted software using the following utilities (optional):

Hitman Pro
Shareware (one-time license - 30 days). Developed on the basis of cloud technology. Detects viruses through file cluster examination and behavioral analysis of objects (applications, browser add-ons). Quickly checks partitions (depending on the volume, up to 5 minutes). Does not require installation, runs from DVD / CD - disk or USB flash drive. Has many settings, recommended for advanced users.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Free (a stripped-down version of free). Quickly finds and removes the most insidious Trojans, worms and rootkits from your computer. “Cures” infected files. Easy to install, configure and run.

Dr. Web Cure!
Single use utility. Scrupulously checks for viruses all the main elements of the OS: boot sectors, registry, system files, etc. During the scan, blocks access to the Internet, suspends activated processes. And thus does not allow viruses to hide their presence. It has a friendly interface (it will take 10-15 minutes for a novice PC user to master the program).

2. Reset browsers and remove malicious add-ons using Avast Browser Cleanup:

click on the browser icon (vertical menu);
click "Reset settings";
select the search engine that will be installed on the home page;
click "Clean for free".

3. Restore the properties of browser shortcuts (they can also be modified by a virus application) using FixerBro or AdwCleaner.

Note. These utilities are compatible with other antivirus programs. Placed in the public domain on the manufacturers' websites.

Method number 2: manual cleaning of the OS

1. Click the Search Protect icon (small letter "e") in the tray.

2. Hover over the shortcut of the annoying application located on the taskbar (it will appear after clicking). And then press the right mouse button.

3. In the panel that opens, right-click the program (its name) again.

4. Select "Properties" from the Windows context menu.

5. In the general settings of the shortcut, in the "Location" column, copy the path to the Search protect files:

holding the left button, move the cursor over the line;
press CTRL+C (Copy function).

Attention! You can also locate the malware in the task manager: "Ctrl+Shift+Esc" → tab "Processes" → right-click on the Search protect process (may be called - HPNotify, XTab, cltmng, SearchProtection) → Properties → Location.

6. Press "CTRL + E" (a window with disk partitions will open).

7. Place the cursor in the "Computer" field (line above).

8. Press "CTRL+V" (the old entry should be deleted and the malware directory will appear instead).

9. Press ENTER. The Search protect - XTab folder will open (but it may be called differently).

10. Activate the uninstall.exe file (uninstaller) as an administrator.

11. In the uninstall module panel, click the Uninstall button.

12. Wait for the procedure to complete. Remove the folder with the remaining files from the computer with the Unlocker utility (deletes files that are not deleted). Or restart your PC in safe mode (hold "F8" at the time of startup), and then send the XTab folder to the trash using the regular OS function.

13. Restore the start page in all browsers using Avast's Browser Cleanup Assistant or manually. Scan the properties of AdwCleaner shortcuts (see method #1 - automatic removal).

14. Update the main antivirus and check all partitions with it (drives C, D, E, etc.) Clean up Windows with CCleaner.

Every day we visit a huge number of sites, various Internet resources, web pages and download many files from there. All this, one way or another, can lead to malware getting onto your computer. Some malicious programs get into the system along with files, others are installed along with useful utilities due to your carelessness. One of the most common malicious applications is Search Protect, which makes changes to browser settings, which leads to the substitution of search results. In this article, we will understand what Search Protect is and how to remove it. Let's get started. Go!

In this article, we will tell you how to properly remove Search Protect from your computer.

The first approach to solving the problem is to try to remove the Search Protect utility through a regular uninstaller. Look on the system drive for folders with names: "XTab", "MiniTab", "MiuiTab" - you need to look for them in the "Program Files" and "Program Files (x86)" sections. Next, open the "uninstall.exe" uninstaller located inside. In some cases, such a banal approach can solve the problem.

If the above method does not justify itself, use the following. First you need to open the Search Protect utility and go to the “Settings” section. In the "Home Page" tab, set the desired home page instead of the set one. Then go to the "New Tab" tab and check the "Browser Default" item. In the following steps, uncheck "Enhance my search experience" and set the default search. Don't forget to save your changes before exiting.

After that, go to the Control Panel and select the "Programs and Features" ("Uninstall Programs") section. Find the malicious application in the list and click Remove. In the window that opens, select reset browser and home page settings, if there is an appropriate item. If you find any toolbars, they should also be removed.

Then you can use special free utilities designed to remove virus software. Almost any antivirus is suitable here, among others we can distinguish:

Avast Free Antivirus;
360 Total Security;
Hitman Pro;
Malwarebytes Antimalware.

All these software products are free, so you can download the licensed version from the official website.

In addition, it does not hurt to recreate the shortcuts of the browsers used. Resetting browser settings will also help fix the situation. This item should be looked for in the settings of the browser itself.

In case the aforementioned tips did not solve the problem, Search Protect can be uninstalled manually. You should start with the usual automatic uninstallation, as discussed above. After that, open the Task Manager using the key combination Ctrl + Alt + Delete, and end the "Suphpuiwindow" and "HpUi.exe" processes, if any. Check the list of applications in the "Startup" tab. Delete anything that looks suspicious to you, such as "Background Container". Make sure there are no suspicious applications in Task Scheduler either. All this can be viewed in the CCleaner utility or use standard Windows tools. Don't forget to check your Internet Options in Control Panel. There must be no proxy. And finally - clear the "hosts" file.

After going through all these steps, you will be able to get rid of Search Protect. To avoid such unpleasant situations in the future, update your antivirus software regularly, use only licensed antiviruses and be careful when installing programs, pay attention to additional installation options, items marked with checkmarks, and so on.

Now you know how to get rid of the Search Protect virus program. Write in the comments if this article was useful for you, share with other users your experience in solving similar problems and ask any questions you have about the topic of the article.

Computer security experts call the Search here toolbar a “browser hijacker”. And, of course, not unreasonably. The application is distributed through spam mailings and free software installers. Installed on the PC "silently", without asking the user whether he actually needs his "services" or not.

Search here is written to all installed browsers as an extension. As a rule, it “settles” in the C/Users//AppData/Roaming/ directory in the DefaultTab folder.

Changes the home page (instead of a string for queries from Google or Yandex, "search results" is displayed). It also monitors the actions of the computer owner during Internet surfing, collects personal information (visited sites, cookies, targeted requests, etc.), redirects to malicious sites.

It is definitely necessary to get rid of such a "search engine". And the sooner the better. Who knows what "surprises" he can present. Logins, passwords, credit card numbers - all this can be found by the creators of a malicious toolbar.

To remove search here, follow these steps.

Cleaning up the operating system

First of all, before restoring browser settings, try to completely remove the application from the OS.

It is advisable to perform this procedure using Revo Uninstaller or a similar utility designed to remove programs. Since it is equipped with a "deep cleaning" function: it removes all files and entries in the registry related to the intrusive toolbar.

Launch Revo Uninstaller.
Check your installed software directory, especially the New Programs (recently installed) section, for suspicious applications. In most cases, Search here masquerades as DefaultTab and DefaultTab Chrome (a separate "solution" for Google Chrome).
Click on the icon with this name with the right mouse button. Select "Delete" from the menu.
Wait for the system analysis to finish, select the "Advanced" scan mode and click "Scan".
Next, Revo Uninstaller will offer to remove all files and registry keys left after uninstallation. Search here. Agree with the recommendations of the utility, mark all found items and click the "Delete" button.

In the absence of special software for uninstalling applications, use standard Windows tools:

1. Open Start, then Control Panel.
2. Click "Uninstall a program" (section "Programs").
3. Find the "DefaultTab" icon in the list of programs. Select it with a mouse click (left button).

4. Click "Uninstall/Change" in the top menu.

Restoring options in browsers

Internet Explorer

1. From the Tools menu, select Add-Ins.
2. In the "View and Manage IE Add-ons" window, click the "Toolbars..." option.

3. In the list of connected extensions, find "DefaultTab Browser Helper" (this is search here!). Right-click on its name and activate the "Delete" item.
4. Close the window, go to the "Tools" menu again. Go to "Internet Options".
5. In the Home Page section (General tab), remove the link to the Search here service. Enter the address of a trusted search engine (for example, google.com or yandex.ru).
6. Click "Apply" and "OK" (the buttons are located at the bottom of the window).
7. Restart IE. The toolbar should disappear.

Firefox

1. From the Tools menu, open Add-ons.
2. Activate the "Extensions" tab.

3. Opposite the extension with the name "Default Tab" (as well as other suspicious extensions), click the "Delete" button.
4. Restart Firefox.
5. In "Tools" (section of the main menu), click "Settings".
6. In the "Basic" subsection, in the "Home page" option, remove the link to "Search here" (if any). Enter the address of a trusted search engine.
Tip for experienced users! To quickly restore FF settings, you can use the special SearhReset extension.

Google Chrome

1. Select "Settings" from the browser menu.
2. Activate the "Extensions" section with a mouse click.
3. Click opposite the "Default Tab Chrome" extension (the name may vary) the "Trash" icon.
4. Go to the "Settings" section (on the same page).
5. In the "Initial group" block, click the "add" function.

6. Hover over the "Search here" link. Click the cross icon and then OK.
7. In the "Search" block, click the "Manage search engines" button. In the same way, remove all third-party links, leaving only the address of the search engine used.
8. Click Finish.
9. Restart Google Chrome.

Prevention of Windows after removing the toolbar

Having adjusted the work of browsers, clean the Windows file system and registry with the CCleaner program (it will clear the cache, delete cookies from Internet browsers, and remove software “junk” from their directories). And then check your PC for viruses with a special utility - (for example, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware or Dr.Web CureIt!)

All the best and enjoy your PC!

Hello everyone Lately I have noticed that Yandex Browser is starting to focus on security technologies. Something there improves, adds new chips. Do you know what it is connected with? The fact is that recently there have been a lot of garbage sites on the Internet that infect users with viruses. They also include sites with all sorts of scams and swindlers.

In general, I’m all about the fact that Protect technology should be turned off only as a last resort. And if Yandex Browser blocks a site, then believe that there are reasons for this.

Blocking a site requires complaints, and a lot of them. Well, Yandex itself is still somehow looking and figuring out if the site can be dangerous

It's just that sites are not blocked. There are also phishing sites, this is when hackers make a copy of a normal site and the goal is for you to enter a real username and password there. Well, for example, from VKontakte sites this happened before, now I don’t know how.

In short, let's make a few conclusions about what will happen if you disable the Protect function:

the level of security in the browser will decrease, as a result of which the chances of getting any virus on the computer will increase;
fake sites will not be blocked, you can accidentally enter your login and password on a fake site; well, I think that you understand that this login and password will immediately go into the hands of a hacker;
if you use Wi-Fi in a public place, then the Protect technology will encrypt the traffic and it will go through the Yandex Turbo servers; this is especially true for sites with the HTTPS protocol;
additional password protection functions;

Phishing protection at work: