Website like Surf-Guard is a hindrance to web users surfing habit. It can interfere with online search by redirecting all queries to said address. The purpose of Surf-Guard for committing such illicit act is to extract valuable information from the browser. It aims to collect information like search keywords, frequently visited websites, and other product details users are looking for whenever they are online.
How Surf-Guard New Tab infects the computer?
The success of Surf-Guard in gaining access to the browser is due to the web user’s carelessness when obtaining freeware. Most of the time, homepage hijackers are bundled with free software and offered by a number of questionable providers. Thus, in order to avoid Surf-Guard and similar threats, it is important to stay away from a suspicious software provider. Downloading programs from the official website and trusted sources is the safest way to obtain needed application.
If Surf-Guard manages to enter the computer through software bundles, it will carry out a stealthy installation. Browser extension loads on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer even without approval from user. Therefore, some users deemed the impulsive appearance of Surf-Guard as part of virus activity. Not to mention that Surf-Guard redirect properties could add up to suspicion that computer is really in great trouble.
Surf-Guard New Tab is not a virus
Technically, computer security experts classify Surf-Guard as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) or Adware. It does not belong to family of computer viruses because Surf-Guard does not replicate, spread, nor infect system files. In general, payload of this adware is to dominate browser and modify settings of homepage, new tab, and default search tool. The URL Surf-guard.xyz is going to override these areas.
The Surf-guard.xyz hijacker
Aside from being an adware and a PUP, malware researchers also dubbed this adware as a browser hijacker. It promotes Surf-guard.xyz search engine. As a matter of fact, this unwanted URL will take over the various settings on the internet software as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Edge. Unfortunately, while Surf-guard.xyz is present, web users may never obtain an accurate search outcome.
Even if Surf-Guard is not in the classification of a deadly computer virus, it is still highly suggested to remove this adware because it remains a threat to security and privacy of user. Complete guide to get rid of this adware is outlined below. Follow the procedures in exact order to ensure proper removal of Surf-Guard.
Surf-Guard New Tab Removal Procedure
Below is a systematic instruction that is very useful in getting rid of the potentially unwanted program (PUP) from compromised Windows computer. Aside from removing the malicious browser extension, this guide is also helpful in deleting browser hijacker and pop-ups.
In order to totally eliminate the threat, it is vital to follow the process in exact manner.
Quick Fix - Scan the PC with Combo Cleaner for Windows
Combo Cleaner is a trusted PC security and optimization tool equipped with powerful virus and malware detection engine. This program can get rid of browser hijacker like Surf-Guard New Tab through this procedure.
1. Download the application from the following page:
2. Save the file to your preferred location.
3. Double-click the downloaded file CCSetup.exe and install with the default settings.
4. At the end of the setup process, click Finish to run Combo Cleaner.
5. The tool will update the signature file, please wait for this process to complete.
6. To begin checking for threats like Surf-Guard New Tab, click on the Start Scan button. Wait for this scan to finish.
7. At the end of the scan process, click on Remove all threats to delete Surf-Guard New Tab hijacker including all malicious objects from the computer.
Free features of Combo Cleaner for Windows includes Disk Cleaner, Big Files finder, Duplicate files finder, and Uninstaller. To use antivirus, privacy scanner, and to delete identified threats, users have to upgrade to a premium version.
Please continue with the succeeding removal procedures if your are comfortable to manually get rid of the threat and malicious items linked with it.
Step 1 : Delete Surf-Guard New Tab Browser Extension
Most adware and unwanted programs are using a program called browser extension to be able to take over the settings of internet applications. Therefore, we highly recommend to check and remove the extension that is closely related to Surf-Guard New Tab.
Remove Surf-Guard New Tab Extension from Google Chrome
1. Open Google Chrome browser.
2. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter on keyboard.
3. Find Surf-Guard New Tab or relevant entry and remove it from Google Chrome browser.
Uninstall Surf-Guard New Tab Extension from Mozilla Firefox
1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. Type about:addons in the address bar and press Enter on keyboard.
3. Choose Extensions on sidebar menu.
4. Look for object that is pertaining to Surf-Guard New Tab and remove it from the browser.
After deleting the malicious browser extension, it is expected that Surf-Guard New Tab is also gone from the homepage.
Remove Surf-Guard New Tab Add-ons from Internet Explorer and Edge Browser
1. Open Internet Explorer program.
2. Go to top Menu and click Tools. Then, select Manage Add-ons from the drop-down list.
3. Look for and Remove or Disable entries of Surf-Guard New Tab from Toolbars and Extension. Additionally, delete unwanted entry from Search Providers section.
4. Close the window and restart Internet Explorer.
If Surf-Guard New Tab is still present on the IE browser and there are still unwanted homepage and pop-ups, another option is to remove the adware from Windows Control Panel.
5. Press Windows Key + R and then, type appwiz.cpl command.
6. Program and Features window will open. Arrange the list in chronological manner with recently installed applications on top. To do this, click on 'Installed On' column.
7. Select Surf-Guard New Tab or recently installed unwanted entry. Then, click on Uninstall to remove it from Windows system.
Step 2 : Scan the computer with Sophos Antivirus
To remove Surf-Guard New Tab automatically, scanning the computer with this powerful anti-virus tool is recommended. This scanner does not just uncover known threats like viruses or malware, it is also effective in discovering browser hijacker like Surf-Guard New Tab that slows down online browsing activities.
1. Download Sophos Virus Removal Tool from the link below. Save the file on your computer where you can easily access it.
2. Once the download completes, browse the location of the file. Double-click to run the program and begin the install process.
3. On first windows of installation wizard, click Next to continue. Then, it will display the program’s License Agreement. You need to Accept the terms in order to proceed. If Windows prompts for User Account Control, please click Yes to proceed.
4. On succeeding windows, click Next or Continue to carry on with the installation. After completing the installation process, Launch Sophos Virus Removal Tool.
5. Internet connection is required when running this scanner in order to download important updates. Make sure that everything is up-to-date to effectively remove malicious program like Surf-Guard New Tab.
6. Click the button to carry out the Scan. This will check the system for presence of malicious objects, malware, and viruses. The tool reveals items that were found linked to Surf-Guard New Tab and other suspicious entities. Be sure to remove all identified threats.
The above procedures should have totally eliminated the Surf-Guard New Tab browser hijacker. However, if you found that there are still remnants of the threat, please proceed to manual removal of associated objects as outlined below.
Step 3 : Scan and Delete Adware with AdwCleaner
In addition to the procedure, we suggest scanning the computer with AdwCleaner tool. Possibly, there are some traces of Surf-Guard New Tab on the browser that was not deleted during the preceding steps. This tool will scan the computer and check for presence of malicious applications as well as invalid browser entries that produces hijacking, redirects, and pop-ups.
1. Follow the link below to download the tool called AdwCleaner.
2. When the download has completed, please close all running programs on the computer especially browsers affected by Surf-Guard New Tab.
3. Browse the location of the downloaded file and double-click on adwcleaner_Ver.exe to start running the tool. Then, click on Scan button.
4. AdwCleaner searches the computer for malicious programs, extensions, plug-ins, adware, and any items that may be associated to Surf-Guard New Tab. It will also check for suspicious entries on browser settings that is associated with the hijacker.
5. Clean or Remove all suspicious and harmful items identified after the thorough scan.
6. After the cleanup procedure, rebooting the computer is required to finalize the removal of detected threats.
Check if your internet browser application is no longer being bothered by Surf-Guard New Tab. If the browser hijacker still persists, please continue with the steps below to reset internet programs to default settings.
Optional : Reset Internet Browser Program
Cleaning your internet browser from clutter and unwanted add-on/extension is a must when dealing with Surf-Guard New Tab. The procedure below discuss on resetting various browsers to its default state.
Restore Google Chrome to Default Settings
Resetting Google Chrome to default settings is helpful in deleting hard-to-remove extension such as from Surf-Guard New Tab. This method is highly advisable to perform if you have difficulty in removing unwanted extension.
1. Open Google Chrome Internet browser.
2. On the address bar, type chrome://settings/reset and press Enter key.
3. Under Reset and clean up section, choose Restore settings to their original defaults.
4. Click Reset settings button to clear all entries of Surf-Guard New Tab.
5. Close the existing tab and restart Google Chrome. That should have removed Surf-Guard New Tab extension and associated objects.
Reset Mozilla Firefox to Default
This section describes how to remove unwanted extension from Firefox that may be related to Surf-Guard New Tab. This process can fix many browser issues by restoring Firefox to factory settings without affecting your essential information (bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, and Internet cookies) on the browser. If you desire to remove only specific extension, please see manual removal of add-on from Firefox.
1. Input the string about:support on Firefox web address and press Enter on keyboard.
2. You will now see the Troubleshooting Information page of Mozilla Firefox.
3. You will notice a section on upper-right corner of the screen stating Give Firefox a tune up. Click the Refresh Firefox button.
4. If confirmation window appears, click Refresh Firefox to continue.
5. Firefox browser will close and start the resetting process. When done, it will display a list of restored data. Surf-Guard New Tab should be gone by now. Click Finish to open a fresh version of Firefox.
Restore Internet Explorer to Default Settings
1. Open Internet Explorer and navigate to top menu. Click Tools, and then Internet Options.
2. Select Advanced tab on Internet Options window.
3. On lower part of the window, under Reset Internet Explorer Settings area, click the Reset button. Please see image for reference.
Your data like favorites, bookmark, and history will remain in the browser. However, this process may delete add-ons by Surf-Guard New Tab and other unknown objects. If you prefer to carry out the procedure manually, please add-on removal from Internet Explorer.
