What do you know about DefendSearch.com?
DefendSearch.com is a search engine website that can suspiciously replace the default homepage and search engine in popular web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, IE and others. According to the security researchers, it is yet another browser hijacker threat which comes along with a browser extension known as 'Secure Chrome Pro' which falls into the category of potentially unwanted program. This infection typically exploits the user's lack of inexperience or knowledge about the virtual security. Besides, the developers of this threat attach an adware program responsible for DefendSearch.com invasion to various cost-free applications like PDF creators, download managers, media players, etc. and set it by default.
If the targeted computer user installs a freeware program without properly checking its settings, such and similar adware components gets installed behind the user's back. In order to prevent unauthorized modifications on your Internet browser, always keep in mind one simple step is to install any freeware app through Custom or Advanced installation settings. In this way, you have the ability to deselect additional or optional components that might lead to the infiltration of DefendSearch.com hijacker or its associated adware program. You may find some web browser plug-ins, add-ons, extensions or toolbars promoted as innovative search tool or shopping helpers. Most important, you should never trust on those softwares that are distributing through freewares because most of them are collaborated with third parties and can cause some serious issues on your infected machine.
What issues should you expect from DefendSearch.com hijacker?
Right after infiltrating the targeted computer, this threat hijacks the Internet browsers by replacing default search provider, start page, and a new tab window as well. Moreover, DefendSearch.com also installs itself onto the Windows startup and then corrupts the DNS settings. In this way, the hijacker can reappear within the browsers even if the infected computer user manually alters browser's settings. It also installs tracking cookies and gathers browsing related information, like IP address, visited websites, time spent on them, downloads, uploads, search queries, clicks and so on.
Neither installed cookies nor collection of such non-personally identifiable data can be treated as malicious. However, in this case, RMV experts do not recommend ignoring them because DefendSearch.com is closely related with third parties which means that such captured data may be transferred to them that may be used for spamming. Therefore, it would be better for you to get rid of this hijacker immediately from your system, otherwise it may perform other annoying activities and may ruin your online browsing sessions.
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Manual Steps to Remove DefendSearch.com From Your Hijacked Browser
Simple Steps To Remove Infection From Your Browser |
Set Up or Changes Your Default Search Engine Provider
For Internet Explorer :
1. Launch Internet explorer and click on the Gear icon then to Manage Add-ons.
2. Now click on Search Provider tab followed by Find more search providers…
3. Now look for your preferred search engine provider for instance Google Search engine.
4. Further you need to click on Add to Internet Explorer option appeared on the page. After then tick out the Make this my default search engine provider appeared on the Add Search Provider window and then click on Add button.
5. Restart Internet explorer to apply the new changes.
For Mozilla :
1. Launch Mozilla Firefox and go for the Settings icon (☰) followed by Options from the drop down menu.
2. Now you have to tap on Search tab there. And, under Default Search Engine you can choose your desirable search engine provider from the drop down menu and remove DefendSearch.com related search providers.
3. If you want to add another search option into Mozilla Firefox then you can do it by going through Add more search engines… option. It will take you to the Firefox official Add-ons page from where you can choose and install search engine add-ons from their.
4. Once installed you can go back to Search tab and choose your favorite search provider as a default.
For Chrome :
1. Open Chrome and tap on Menu icon (☰) followed by Settings.
2. Now under Search option you can choose desirable Search engine providers from drop down menu.
3. If you want to use another search engine option then you can click on Manage search engines… which opens current list of search engines and other as well. To choose you have to take your cursor on it and then select Make default button appears there followed by Done to close the window.
Reset Browser Settings to Completely Remove DefendSearch.com
For Google Chrome :
1. Click on Menu icon (☰) followed by Settings option from the drop down menu.
2. Now tap Reset settings button.
3. Finally select Reset button again on the dialog box appeared for confirmation.
For Mozilla Firefox :
1. Click on Settings icon (☰) and then to Open Help Menu option followed by Troubleshooting Information from drop down menu.
2. Now Click on Reset Firefox… on the upper right corner of about:support page and again to Reset Firefox button to confirm the resetting of Mozilla Firefox to delete DefendSearch.com completely.
Reset Internet Explorer :
1. Click on Settings Gear icon and then to Internet options.
2. Now tap Advanced tab followed by Reset button. Then tick out the Delete personal settings option on the appeared dialog box and further press Reset button to clean DefendSearch.com related data completely.
3. Once Reset completed click on Close button and restart Internet explorer to apply the changes.
Reset Safari :
1. Click on Edit followed by Reset Safari… from the drop down menu on Safari.
2. Now ensure that all of the options are ticked out in the appeared dialog box and click on Reset button.
Uninstall DefendSearch.com and other Suspicious Programs From Control Panel
1. Click on Start menu followed by Control Panel. Then click on Uninstall a program below Programs option.
2. Further find and Uninstall DefendSearch.com and any other unwanted programs from the Control panel.
Remove Unwanted Toolbars and Extensions Related With DefendSearch.com
For Chrome :
1. Tap on Menu (☰) button, hover on tools and then tap on Extension option.
2. Now click on Trash icon next to the DefendSearch.com related suspicious extensions to remove it.
For Mozilla Firefox :
1. Click on Menu (☰) button followed by Add-ons.
2. Now select the Extensions or Appearance tab in Add-ons Manager window. Then click on Disable button to remove DefendSearch.com related extensions.
For Internet Explorer :
1. Click on Settings Gear icon and then to Manage add-ons.
2. Further tap on Toolbars and Extensions panel and then Disable button to remove DefendSearch.com related extensions.
From Safari :
1. Click on Gear Settings icon followed by Preferences…
2. Now tap on Extensions panel and then click on Uninstall button to remove DefendSearch.com related extensions.
From Opera :
1. Click on Opera icon then hover to Extensions and click Extensions manager.
2. Now click on X button next to unwanted extensions to remove it.
Delete Cookies to Clean Up DefendSearch.com Related Data From Different Browsers
Chrome : Click on Menu (☰) → Settings → Show advanced Settings → Clear browsing data.
Firefox : Tap on Settings (☰) →History →Clear Reset History → check Cookies → Clear Now.
Internet Explorer : Click on Tools → Internet options → General tab → Check Cookies and Website data → Delete.
Safari : Click on Settings Gear icon →Preferences → Privacy tab → Remove All Website Data…→ Remove Now button.
Manage Security and Privacy Settings in Google Chrome
1. Click on Menu (☰) button followed by Settings.
2. Tap on Show advanced settings.
- Phishing and malware protection : It is enables by default in privacy section. Warns users if detected any suspicious site having phishing or malware threats.
- SSL certificates and settings : Tap on Manage certificates under HTTPS/SSL section to manage SSL certificates and settings.
- Web Content settings : Go to Content settings in Privacy section to manage plug-ins, cookies, images, location sharing and JavaScript.
3. Now tap close button when done.
If you are still having issues in the removal of DefendSearch.com from your compromised system then you can feel free to talk to our experts.