Search Defense Adware

What is Search Defense?

Created by Intriguing Apps, Search Defense is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) claiming to enhance users' Internet browsing protection by preventing malware and spyware infections. Although this functionality may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that Search Defense is considered to be adware.

The developers of this rogue browser add-on employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) to install Search Defense on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without users' consent.

Following successful infiltration, Search Defense generates numerous intrusive online advertisements including banner, targeted video, pop-up, coupon, interstitial ads, and download offers of other PUPs considered to be adware. Clicking these advertisements is likely to cause high-risk adware or malware infections.

In addition, this potentially unwanted application continually monitors users' Internet browsing activity by recording various software and hardware information that may be personally identifiable.

For example: IP addresses, unique identifier numbers, geographic locations, search terms entered into search engines (Bing, Google, etc.), URLs visited, pages viewed, and other similar details.

Furthermore, Search Defense is similar to other rogue browser plug-ins that employ bundling as an installation method. Browse Secure, Browser Shield, Browsing Safeguard, and Surf Safely are just a few examples amongst many others.

None of these adware-type plug-ins provide any real value for the user - their purpose is to generate income by the display of intrusive online advertisements. The behavior of these browser extensions may lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft, and therefore, you are are strongly advised to uninstall Search Defense from your Internet browsers.

At time of research, Search Defense was distributed via fake downloads (Java updates, browser updates, etc.) and other rogue browser plug-ins such as Browser Guardian, Safe Browse, Solid Savings, and other savings and coupons related adware.

Search Defense is also distributed via small programs called 'download managers' on freeware download websites including soft32.com, softonic.com, download.com, etc. Download managers are used to monetize these websites' free services by offering installation of promoted '100% legitimate' browser extensions together with the chosen free software.

Thus, careless download and installation of freeware risks computer infection with adware or malware. This situation can be prevented by closely observing each step during the download of free software and never accepting installation of any additional programs offered.

If you are installing downloaded software, select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options - this will reveal any hidden applications listed for installation and allow you to eliminate them.

Internet users who have already installed Search Defense, and observe intrusive online advertisements while browsing the Internet, should study the following removal guide to uninstall this adware from their Internet browsers.

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is Search Defense?
• STEP 1. Uninstall potentially unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Search Defense ads from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove Search Defense advertisements from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove Ads by Search Defense from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove Search Defense extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Search Defense adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window, look for "Search Defense" (or other potentially unwanted applications - at time of testing, Search Defense ads were generated by various coupon ads-displaying adware), select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes Search Defense ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove Search Defense adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "Search Defense", select this entry and click "Remove". Note that Search Defense ads can be caused by other adware. In the Manage Add-ons window, remove all suspicious browser add-ons.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by search defense, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click on "Extensions". Locate: "Search Defense", select this entry and click the trash can icon. Note that Search Defense ads can be caused by other adware. In the "extensions" window of Google Chrome, remove all suspicious browser extensions.

If you are unable to remove Search Defense (or any other add-on) and it is greyed-out ("Installed by enterprise policy"), follow this removal guide - how to remove a Google Chrome extension that is "Installed by enterprise policy"?

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by search defense, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window remove "Search Defense". Note that Search Defense ads can be generated by other adware. In the "Add-ons Manager" window, remove all suspicious browser add-ons.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with ads by search defense removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by search defense, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on ads by search defense or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion