How to remove privacyguardiansearch.com from hijacked browsers

What is privacyguardiansearch.com?

We have tested privacyguardiansearch.com and found it to be a fake search engine promoted via an extension called Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell, a browser hijacker. Fake search engines (and browser hijackers) can cause privacy issues (and potentially other problems). Thus, users should avoid using them.

Privacyguardiansearch.com and Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell browser hijacker overview

We classified privacyguardiansearch.com as a fake search engine because it does not generate search results. Instead, privacyguardiansearch.com redirects users to search.yahoo.com (a legitimate search engine) and possibly other addresses. Some of the sites opened through privacyguardiansearch.com can be malicious.

Those websites can be used to trick visitors into sending money to scammers (e.g., paying for fake services or products) or disclosing sensitive information (e.g., passwords or banking details). Also, they can be designed to distribute unwanted or malicious applications.

The app promoting privacyguardiansearch.com, Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell, is presented as an extension for finding privacy policies and terms of service quickly and easily. However, it operates as a browser hijacker. Once added, it changes the default search engine, homepage, and new tab to privacyguardiansearch.com.

Users may not be able to remove privacyguardiansearch.com while Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell is present, so it may be required to remove the hijacker first. If manual removal cannot be completed, it is advisable to use tools like Combo Cleaner.

It is worth noting that Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell (and privacyguardiansearch.com) might collect various data, as the extension can read and change all user data on all websites. This can include search queries, browsing history, location information, and similar details. Moreover, the hijacker may be capable of gathering more sensitive information (e.g., login credentials).

Overall, if privacyguardiansearch.com and Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell should be removed from affected browsers as soon as possible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, privacyguardiansearch.com is a fake search engine that may expose users to malicious websites. It and the associated hijacker can put users at risk of scams, data theft, and unwanted software while also collecting browsing and potentially sensitive information. Therefore, privacyguardiansearch.com and the Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell extension should be avoided.

More examples of fake search engines are secureshieldsearch.com, safedomains.net, and find-it.pro.

How did Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell install on my computer?

Browser hijackers are commonly distributed through software bundling, where they are included with free (or shady) programs and installed/added when users do not reject unwanted offers. Usually, additional components are listed in "Advanced", "Custom", or similar installation options.

Browser hijackers can also spread via fake alerts, misleading ads, and similar content on suspicious pages. In other cases, hijackers are delivered using unofficial app stores, notifications from unreliable sites, P2P networks, third-party downloaders, and similar channels.

How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?

Avoid suspicious websites by closing them immediately and ignoring any ads, pop-ups, or links they display. Always download software from official websites or trusted app stores, and carefully check each installation step to prevent unwanted programs or browser extensions from being added/installed.

Do not allow untrusted pages to send notifications, keep your operating system and applications up to date, and regularly scan your system with reputable security software. If your computer is already infected with Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Privacyguardiansearch.com redirects to search.yahoo.com (GIF):

Permissions asked by Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell browser hijacker:

Website promoting Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell browser hijacker:

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:

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.

Quick menu:

• What is privacyguardiansearch.com?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove privacyguardiansearch.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove privacyguardiansearch.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell browser hijacker 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 any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the privacyguardiansearch.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Extensions" and click "Manage Extensions". Locate "Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.privacyguardiansearch.com) below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "privacyguardiansearch.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the privacy guardian by secure shell browser hijacker, 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 extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell", remove hxxp://privacyguardiansearch.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with privacy guardian by secure shell browser hijacker 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 and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

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 top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the privacy guardian by secure shell browser hijacker, 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:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of forcing users visit privacyguardiansearch.com website?

Redirecting users to privacyguardiansearch.com is probably intended to generate profit, expose users to harmful content, and gather browsing or sensitive information.

Is visiting privacyguardiansearch.com a threat to my privacy?

Using fake search engines like privacyguardiansearch.com can compromise user privacy due to the data they collect.

How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?

Browser hijackers are mainly spread through software bundling when users install free or untrusted programs without rejecting extra offers. They can also be distributed via fake alerts, misleading ads, suspicious websites, unofficial app stores, P2P networks, and third-party downloaders.

Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Privacy Guardian by Secure Shell browser hijacker?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan your system and remove browser hijackers. Manual removal may fail because hijackers can reinstall each other or block setting changes, so all of them should be removed at the same time.