How to remove ProtectedSearch [Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge]

What is ProtectedSearch? Experienced security experts has determined that the ProtectedSearch is a program that falls under the category of browser hijackers. It performs changes on popular internet browsers installed on infected computer. Particularly, it changes the user’s default home page, new tab page and search engine for their Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Chrome and Internet Explorer web browsers.

In addition, the ProtectedSearch browser hijacker infection can also alter the search engine selected in the browser. When you try to search on the infected internet browser, you’ll be presented with search results, consisting of advertisements and Google (or Yahoo, or Bing) search results for your query. Among these search results may occur links that lead to unwanted and ad web-pages.

We strongly recommend you to complete the few simple steps which follow below. We’ll show you how to delete hijacker and thus remove ProtectedSearch search redirect from your Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and MS Edge forever.

Remove ProtectedSearch from Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge

Even if you have the up-to-date classic antivirus installed, and you’ve checked your PC for malicious software and removed anything found, you need to do the instructions below. The ProtectedSearch browser hijacker removal is not simple as installing another antivirus. Classic antivirus programs are not designed to run together and will conflict with each other, or possibly crash MS Windows. Instead we suggest complete the manual steps below after that use Zemana AntiMalware, MalwareBytes or Hitman Pro, which are free apps dedicated to find and remove malware like ProtectedSearch hijacker. Run these utilities to ensure the browser hijacker is removed.

To remove ProtectedSearch, perform the steps below:

1. Remove ProtectedSearch associated software by using Windows Control Panel
2. Remove ProtectedSearch from Mozilla Firefox by resetting web-browser settings
3. Remove ProtectedSearch redirect from Google Chrome
4. Remove ProtectedSearch redirect from Internet Explorer
5. How to delete ProtectedSearch with free applications
6. Use AdBlocker to block ProtectedSearch and stay safe online

How to manually delete ProtectedSearch

The useful removal instructions for the ProtectedSearch search redirect. The detailed procedure can be followed by anyone as it really does take you step-by-step. If you follow this process to remove ProtectedSearch redirect let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.

Remove ProtectedSearch associated software by using Windows Control Panel

Some programs are free only because their setup file contains a browser hijacker such as the ProtectedSearch. This unwanted applications generates revenue for the makers when it is installed. Many hijackers can be uninstalled by simply uninstalling them from the ‘Uninstall a Program’ that is located in Windows control panel.

Make sure you have closed all web browsers and other software. Next, uninstall any unwanted and suspicious programs from your Control panel.

Windows 10, 8.1, 8

Now, press the Windows button, type “Control panel” in search and press Enter. Select “Programs and Features”, then “Uninstall a program”.

Look around the entire list of apps installed on your system. Most probably, one of them is the hijacker related to ProtectedSearch search redirect. Choose the questionable program or the application that name is not familiar to you and remove it.

Windows Vista, 7

From the “Start” menu in Windows, choose “Control Panel”. Under the “Programs” icon, select “Uninstall a program”.

Select the dubious or any unknown software, then click “Uninstall/Change” button to delete this undesired application from your personal computer.

Windows XP

Click the “Start” button, select “Control Panel” option. Click on “Add/Remove Programs”.

Choose an undesired program, then press “Change/Remove” button. Follow the prompts.

Remove ProtectedSearch from Mozilla Firefox by resetting web-browser settings

If Firefox start page or search provider are hijacked by the ProtectedSearch, your browser displays unwanted pop up ads, then ‘Reset Mozilla Firefox’ could solve these problems. When using the reset feature, your personal information such as passwords, bookmarks, browsing history and web form auto-fill data will be saved.

Run the Mozilla Firefox and click the menu button (it looks like three stacked lines) at the top right of the web-browser screen. Next, click the question-mark icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu. It will open the slide-out menu.

Select the “Troubleshooting information”. If you are unable to access the Help menu, then type “about:support” in your address bar and press Enter. It bring up the “Troubleshooting Information” page as displayed below.

Click the “Refresh Firefox” button at the top right of the Troubleshooting Information page. Select “Refresh Firefox” in the confirmation prompt. The Mozilla Firefox will start a process to fix your problems that caused by the ProtectedSearch hijacker. Once, it is done, press the “Finish” button.

Remove ProtectedSearch redirect from Google Chrome

If Google Chrome search provider by default, new tab and homepage were hijacked by ProtectedSearch then ‘Reset Chrome’ is a way that helps to revert back the internet browser to its factory state. To reset Chrome to the original defaults, follow the step-by-step guide below.

Open the Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal dotes (). It will show the drop-down menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions.

Carefully browse through the list of installed extensions. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following instructions: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy otherwise, just go to the step below.

Open the Chrome main menu again, click to “Settings” option.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the Reset settings section is visible, like below and click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.

Confirm your action, click the “Reset” button.

Remove ProtectedSearch redirect from Internet Explorer

In order to recover all web browser search provider, homepage and new tab page you need to reset the Internet Explorer to the state, that was when the Microsoft Windows was installed on your computer.

First, launch the IE, then click ‘gear’ icon . It will open the Tools drop-down menu on the right part of the internet browser, then click the “Internet Options” as shown in the figure below.

In the “Internet Options” screen, select the “Advanced” tab, then click the “Reset” button. The Microsoft Internet Explorer will display the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” dialog box. Further, click the “Delete personal settings” check box to select it. Next, press the “Reset” button as displayed on the image below.

After the process is finished, click “Close” button. Close the Internet Explorer and reboot your PC for the changes to take effect. This step will help you to restore your browser’s home page, search engine and newtab to default state.

How to delete ProtectedSearch with free applications

After completing the manual removal guide above all unwanted apps and internet browser’s add-ons which causes internet browser redirects to the ProtectedSearch web site should be removed. If the problem with ProtectedSearch hijacker infection is still remained, then we suggest to scan your PC for any remaining malicious components. Run recommended free hijacker removal programs below.

How to automatically get rid of ProtectedSearch with Zemana

We suggest using the Zemana. You may download and install Zemana Anti Malware to detect and remove ProtectedSearch home page from your personal computer. When installed and updated, the malicious software remover will automatically scan and detect all threats exist on the PC system.

Installing the Zemana is simple. First you’ll need to download Zemana on your Windows Desktop by clicking on the link below.

After downloading is finished, close all applications and windows on your personal computer. Double-click the set up file named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup. If the “User Account Control” prompt pops up as shown in the following example, click the “Yes” button.

It will open the “Setup wizard” which will help you install Zemana on your personal computer. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.

Once setup is done successfully, Zemana will automatically start and you can see its main screen as shown in the following example.

Now press the “Scan” button for scanning your system for the browser hijacker that reroutes your internet browser to unwanted ProtectedSearch webpage. This procedure can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the Zemana tool is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified as being infected by malware.

After the scanning is finished, Zemana Anti-Malware will show a list of detected items. When you are ready, click “Next” button. The Zemana Anti Malware will delete hijacker responsible for redirects to ProtectedSearch and move threats to the program’s quarantine. After the procedure is complete, you may be prompted to restart the system.

Use AdBlocker to block ProtectedSearch and stay safe online

By installing an ad-blocking program like AdGuard, you are able to block ProtectedSearch redirect, autoplaying video ads and remove a large amount of distracting and unwanted ads on web pages.

Download AdGuard by clicking on the following link.

When the downloading process is complete, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen as shown on the screen below.

Follow the prompts. After the install is finished, you will see a window as on the image below.

You can click “Skip” to close the install program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” button to see an quick tutorial which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.

In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you launch your computer, AdGuard will run automatically and block unwanted pop-up ads, ProtectedSearch redirect, as well as other malicious or misleading webpages. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, which is located on your desktop.

How was ProtectedSearch hijacker installed on personal computer

Many of the freeware out there install unwanted browser toolbars, adware and potentially unwanted programs such as the browser hijacker infection that causes web-browsers to open annoying ProtectedSearch web site along with them without your knowledge. One has to be attentive while installing free software in order to avoid accidentally installing bundled software. It is important that you pay attention to the EULA (End User License Agreements) and choose the Custom, Manual or Advanced installation method as it will typically disclose what optional software will also be installed.

Finish words

Now your PC system should be clean of the hijacker infection which cause a redirect to ProtectedSearch site. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted pop up ads and annoying malicious web-pages) and Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) (to periodically scan your computer for new malware, hijackers and ad-supported software). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Microsoft Windows operating system. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new hijackers, malicious software and ad-supported software are released.

If you are still having problems while trying to remove ProtectedSearch redirect from your web browser, then ask for help here.