Remove Guard-search.com Redirect Virus (Useful Removal Guide)

I am encountering a problem that my homepage has been changed to Guard-search.com without my knowledge and consent. I have tried resetting Google as my homepage but failed. It is really annoying. I don’t want to see Guard-search.com popping up on my browser anymore. How should I solve this problem? Any help would be appreciated.


Description of Guard-search.com

Guard-search.com is a website with invisible infection and backdoor programs, which can hijack and attack computer systems with adware or Trojan virus. It pretends to be a useful platform by showing a search box in the middle of the web page and gives some icons like Facebook, Yahoo and Twitter. However, in fact it’s only a scam that cheats users to click the links on the website and download its useless and malicious program. There is a weird phenomenon that you would find various advertisements popping up under the search box. As soon as you send search query to the toolbar and click to make a search, loads of sponsored links and third- party websites may bombard the screen immediately. And after this infection, you will find it hard to access the websites you want to visit, for the redirect virus will keep redirect your browsers to its own page or other unknown websites. It will serve virus removal utility but the removal is not complete. If you unwarily click on the ads, the unnecessary programs or malware can be installed on your PC.

Guard-search.com hijacker changes your default search engine, corrupts your Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox and even affects your system and programs. To be more specific, it can download and install some unnecessary programs, add-ons or plug-ins on the computer without consent and slow down the computer speed. If you have failed to log on the account of Yahoo mail, Facebook, the browser may have been seriously corrupted. What’s worse, it can change the DNS settings and you can’t use the web browser properly even if you reinstall the browser several times. In virtue of the ability of Guard-search.com to infect and control the browser, you may have to eliminate it urgently unless it will result in further severe system problems.

To save trouble, you need to remove Guard-search.com as soon as possible. You can follow the removal guide provided below, if you have no ideas how to perform the removal.


Troubles Caused by the Browser Hijacker

1. Guard-search.com modifies the browser settings without your permission and it doesn’t allow you to change the settings back.

2. There are lots of advertisements popping up on the browsers, which badly affects your surfing experience.

3. Continuous pops- up and sponsor links bombarding the screen to lure you into dropping malware into the computer.

4. The performance of the infested browser may reduce greatly for the browser hijacker utilizes it to perform insecure tasks.

5. Private information and commercial related account data, such as personal identifiable information, online bank account as well as credit card account details, may be silently gathered and transferred to a remote third- party server monitored by cyber hackers.



Guard-search.com Manual Removal Instructions:


Step 1: Terminate all the malicious extensions in the browser

Internet Explorer
1. Start the Internet Explorer and click on Tools in the browser menu, choose the Manage Add-ons in the drop-down list.
2. Select the Guard-search.com in the showing window and disable it.
3. Restart the Internet Explorer.

Google Chrome
1. Launch Google Chrome and click on its wrench icon.
2. Choose the Tools in the list then select the Extensions.
3. In the showing window, click on the Extensions, then find out the Guard-search.com and disable it.
4. Restart Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox
1. Run the Mozilla Firefox, click on Tools in the Firefox menu and choose the Add-ons, then click on the Extensions.
2. Then select the Guard-search.com in the list and click on Remove button.
3. Restart Mozilla Firefox.

Step 2: Remove the added programs of the redirect virus in the Control Panel

1. Click Start to open the menu and click on the Control Panel.
2. Double-click on Uninstall a program under the Programs.
3. Find Guard-search.com in the programs list and locate it, then click on the Uninstall.
4. Follow the wizard to accomplish the removal.

Step 3: Reset the browser

Internet Explorer
1. Start the Internet Explorer, click on Tools then choose the Internet Options.
2. Click on the Advanced tab, then click the Reset button.
3. Click on the General tab, put a new address in the homepage box.
4. Click OK button to save the changes.
5. Restart the Internet Explorer.

Google Chrome
1. Launch the Google Chrome and click on the Settings in the list.
2. Click on Show advanced settings.
3. Click on Reset browser settings button.
4. In the Settings windows, click on the Show Home button in the Appearance section.
5. Click on the Change link, type a new address in the box then click on OK.
6. Restart Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox
1. Open the Mozilla Firefox, click on the Firefox menu button. Locate the Help then click on the Troubleshooting Information.
2. In the showing Troubleshooting Information page, click on the Reset Firefox button.
3. Confirm the reset request after that.
4. Click the Firefox button and choose the Options.
5. Click the General tab, type a new address as the homepage in the box, then click OK.
6. Restart the Mozilla Firefox.


Conclusion

Guard-search.com is a potential unwanted/dangerous program that related to adware and browser hijacker. Once this redirect virus slips into your computer, it would add some unknown add-ons onto your web browsers and modify the browser settings without any permission, making the browsers work improperly. You might have tried to use manual way to get rid of it or you have to restore system to its previous state. Even if you have reset the browsers or reinstalled the browsers, you still fail to remove the redirect virus. The reason why it is so hard to delete is that it has changed system settings and browser settings, and it also modify the Windows registry and writes its entries into registry. All of these help it to stay longer and avoid from detection and deletion.

Note: It needs certain level of computer knowledge and skills to manually remove the redirect virus. If you are not expert at computer, we highly recommend downloading and using an advanced malware removal tool to get rid of the redirect virus safely and effectively.

What Is the Best Way to Remove Websearch.coolsearches.info?

Websearch.coolsearches.info is classified as a browser redirect virus that can disturb users’ online activities by hijacking their browsers. It pretends to be a legitimate search engine as a required tool with its intuitive interface. But in fact, Websearch.coolsearches.info is nothing but a nasty redirect virus used by cyber hackers to make great profits. Every single browser hijacker shares the same features, Websearch.coolsearches.info browser redirect also has the ability to enter the target computer quietly when net users are connecting to some insecure sites that have already been taken over by viruses. It is likely to bring about the infection of the redirect virus by downloading unknown freeware or shareware online. Websearch.coolsearches.info is a big threat to both your computer and privacy.

It seems that the website Websearch.coolsearches.info is not harmful to users’ computers. However, when you open a new tab or link on browser, the website may pop up again and again. Furthermore, Websearch.coolsearches.info will keep taking browser searches results to web pages which are filled with ad- sported contents. What’s more, the Websearch.coolsearches.info usually come with a great amount of other threats to computer, such as Trojan virus (e.g. Trojan:BAT/Micuda.A virus), rootkits, and ransomware. To stop its crime, it is highly suggested to eliminate Websearch.coolsearches.info browser threat as soon as possible. It is promoted via freeware or shareware downloads, questionable websites and unknown links, etc. Namely, this redirect virus could help the cyber hackers to collect users’ personal data. Many things will be at risk, including documents, login names and passwords, valuable multimedia objects or any other important files online. Before getting further damages, computer users should not ignore this redirect virus and must take action to remove it quickly and thoroughly. Sometimes, using a removal tools installed on the computer is not workable because they can not find out anything unsafe on the machine. If this is the case, it is strongly recommended to remove Websearch.coolsearches.info redirect virus with a professional removal tool.

Symptoms of Websearch.coolsearches.info

1. It is a dangerous redirect virus that can modify default homepage with its malicious domain and redirect search result to random or weird websites.

2. It can drop and install its related add-on, plugins extensions or Toolbars for the purpose of tracing and recording online cookies. It can also bundle with third party freeware, shareware or torrents in order to mess up the infected computer terribly.

3. Websearch.coolsearches.info virus can cause a slow performance on the infected computer by taking high up resource of the CPU. Sometimes, users may notice a 100% CPU usage.

4. The redirect virus may block the firewall and antivirus program from working normally, in order to escape from detection and removal. Programs or system may crash from time to time.

5.It compromises your computer and violates your privacy and send the collected information to the third-party for illegal purposes.

Remove Websearch.coolsearches.info Effectively

Websearch.coolsearches.info disguises itself as a legitimate and useful search engine to trick users into using it to increase traffic. No matter how many times you run scans on your computer, there will be no findings at all. You may wonder why the antivirus programs don’t work. Because it is capable of monitoring your online activities and collecting your cookies and browser history. It takes time for Antivirus to keep its definition up to date to defeat the virus. Therefore, it is not easy for your antivirus program to remove this nasty redirect virus from your computer effectively. In this case, you can consider manually removing the redirect virus from your computer.

1. Stop running processes related to this redirect virus.
a: When the Windows Task manager appears, switch to Processes tab.
b: Find out and select the processes related to the virus by name random.exe, and click on the “End process” button.
Remove the redirect virus from Internet Explorer:
a: Start IE, go to Tools and select Internet Options.
b: Find General section, remove Websearch.coolsearches.info address as a home page.
c: Then go to Search section, find Settings button and choose Manage Add-ons
d: Erase the redirect and after the action, close Manage Add-ons

2. Remove the redirect virus from Mozilla Firefox.
a: Open Mozilla Firefox browser, click on tools and go to Options.
b: Switch to General tab, remove Websearch.coolsearches.info address as a startup site.
c: Then, go to: Firefox -> Add-ons -> Add-ons Manager -> Remove.
d: In the Search list, select Manage Search Engines and erase this redirect and choose OK

3. Remove the redirect virus from Google Chrome.
a: Open Google Chrome and navigate to Settings tab and Set pages.
b: Erase Websearch.coolsearches.info which was seta as the startup site and choose OK
c: Find Manage search engines and here, erase this redirect.
d: Press on OK, and restart Google Chrome.

4. Delete all registry files created by this redirect virus.
a. While the Registry Editor is opened, search for the registry key “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ Websearch.coolsearches.info.” Right-click this registry key and select “Delete.”
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run “[RANDOM].exe”
b. Navigate to directory %PROGRAM_FILES%\ Websearch.coolsearches.info \ and delete the infected files manually.
%AppData%Local[random].exe
C:\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\*.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\*.*

Note: The manual removal is not an easy task for novice users. Any puny mistakes during the manual removal process may lead to system crash. Thus, if you don’t have sufficient computer expertise in manual removal, it is recommended that you use a professional malware removal tool to remove Websearch.coolsearches.info automatically and quickly.

Conclusion

Websearch.coolsearches.info is a type of nasty browser hijacker redirect virus, it can compromise browsers such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. It can deliver a pile of pup-up ads when users surf online to display advertising and generate web traffic. As with all the same as a typical browser hijacker, the Websearch.coolsearches.info virus is able to change default homepage and search engine of browser to Websearch.coolsearches.info. If users keep it on the computer, there will be unwanted browser helpers, add-ons or extensions install and run on your system which intend to stealing your private information. Thus, PC users should remove this virus infection immediately and completely to avoid further damage and keep the browser safe. Through manual removal may fail to help you remove Websearch.coolsearches.info completely, you can try to use the removal tool this post mentioned to help you.

But please note that the manual removal is a task of high complexity and risk. Any mistakes are made due to lack of experience in dealing with files and registry entries, your system may suffer from serious damage. PC users need to very caution while dealing with this virus. If you want to avoid making any critical mistakes during the process, please try the automatic removal tool-SpyHunter to help you out of trouble.

Completely Remove Mystartsearch.com Redirect Virus

Mystartsearch.com is a nasty redirect infection which attacks PC users’ browsers, once being infected, it will modify settings on the targeted browser to change its homepage to Mystartsearch.com redirect site. It usually attaches itself to SPAM emails, attachments, online chats, instant messages, pop-up ads, suspicious links, unknown websites, peer to peer programs and other unprotected networks. Mystartsearch.com takes advantage of convincing interface and user’s carelessness to trick users into utilizing its search service, the time innocent users use it to search for information, they will be redirected to unrelated results.

Such kind of browser virus focuses on controlling browser search and displaying advertisements via taking users to some specific sites. Not only popping up advertisements on the web pages that users are browsing, this redirect virus will also display a number of advertisements on the computer screen as well as some third-party programs such as game software and media player, in order to attract users to click on them and visit the specified websites. In most cases, those shopping websites may be phishing websites for collecting user’s privacy information and then help cyber criminals to steal their money. Many innocent users are attracted by commodity sales promotion, activity coupons, discounts on goods, bargains, etc. So, in some cases, those users would click on the pop-up ads and go for a visit.

Since the redirect virus enters the PC and make modifications on the browser settings, it may invite more and more cyber threats to the compromised machine. Once browser settings has been under the control of Mystartsearch.com redirect virus, loads of perilous extensions, plug- ins and add- on will be allowed to get installed on it which may severely damage the system. Moreover, the Mystartsearch.com will provide random web links to ignorant users, which are likely to be corrupted by cyber criminals. Its main aim is to steal your sensitive information by using keyloggers to track your cookies and browser history and then send the collected information to the third-party for illegal benefits. In addition, Mystartsearch.com is able to offer links which contains commercial contents.


Steps to Remove Mystartsearch.com Redirect Virus

Step 1: Set the default homepage back

For Internet Explorer:
Click on Browser Tools
Select Manage Add-ons on the tools window
Click Search Provider
Here you can see many kinds of search engine option as Bing and Google, select your favorite one to be a default homepage.
Choose Search Results and click on Remove icon to eliminate it
Click Tools, select Internet Options and then the General tab. Here you can option a website you like and save it.
c. Select ‘Search Results’ and click ‘Remove’ to remove it;

For Google Chrome:
Open Customize and control
Click on Settings
Select on Basic Options icon
Here you can reset your homepage (e.g.Google.com）
Once you choose a default homepage, click on Manage Search Engines and then click Google to be your default search engine.
Remove it from the browser by clicking Search Result and then the X’ mark

For Mozilla Firefox:
Click Manage Search Engine
Select Search Results and then click Remove option, click OK
Open Tools, under the General tab, set Google.com as default homepage

Step 2: Locate related files of Mystartsearch.com and remove them from the computer
%AllUsersProfile%
%AllUsersProfile%\Programs\{random letters}\
%AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\~r
%AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\~dll

Step 3: Remove cookies on all browsers
Internet Explorer:
Click options on the browser and then choose Internet Options
Open General tab, click Delete Browsing History to remove all related cookies
Select cookies and click Delete

Firefox:
Click option
Select Privacy and then click on Remove Individual Cookies icon
Delete relevant cookies list on the box

Google Chrome:
Click option
Open Under the Bonnet tab
Select Privacy and then click Clear browsing data
Delete all cookies

Step 4: Remove malicious registry entries
Open Registry Editor on the start menu
Type in Regedit and click OK
Remove all the following registry entries
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings “CertificateRevocation” = ‘1’
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments “SaveZoneInformation” = ‘0’

Conclusion

Generally, Mystartsearch.com redirect virus breaks into the targeted computers by coming bundled with a junk email attachment, pretending itself to be a legitimate file (such as audio file, image file, or txt file) and cheating users into click on the attachment. In some cases, this redirect virus would also come together with a “reputable” application, and automatically get itself installed on the computers. Many people don’t think it is a serious issue and choose to ignore it, leading to many troublesome and annoying troubles in the further.

The most obvious symptoms of the redirect virus infection should be the change of default homepage and the appearance of many pop-up ads as well as unknown toolbars. That is why it is only for advanced and experienced PC users to deal with, owing to the fact that any little mistake may result in irreparable system damage. After, reset the default settings back and give the infected computer more protection. When they download something from the Internet, run the antivirus program to scan it before opening it in case some malware come along with the free downloads.