Remove Defendsearch.com (Defend Search)

If your online search keeps on redirecting to Defendsearch.com, it is likely your Google Chrome browser is compromised with malicious extension. So far, we have identified one extension that carries out this redirect and it is named Secure Chrome Pro. This browser extension is available on Chrome Store. However, user acquires it from illicit distribution scheme in most instances. It can be from a pop-up window or web page stating that browser is at risk, then, it advises users to download Secure Chrome Pro to fix this trouble. After installation, the program intends to dominate your search provider and generate profit by exploiting this section.

Diverting your searches to Defendsearch.com not only affects your online browsing and searching. Its authors are also utilizing the same extension to gather some data from your browser. This may include visited websites, search inquiries, and other personal identifiable information. As you can notice, Defendsearch.com is not only an annoyance to your homepage, it also threatens your online security and privacy.

Defend Search

If you are annoyed that homepage, new tab, and every online search are diverted to Defendsearch.com and wish to stop it, you can do so by removing the extension. Please see the procedures below for a complete guide to get rid of Defendsearch.com. Scan the computer with suggested anti-virus and anti-malware tools to locate and delete associated malicious files.

Online Security Scanner Report for defendsearch.com:

Norton SafeWebWarningFeedback: Threats foundUpdated: Jan. 15, 2019
MCAfee Site AdvisorNot yet ratedFeedback: No dataUpdated: Jan. 15, 2019
Transparency ReportCurrently SafeFeedback: No dataUpdated: Jan. 15, 2019

Defendsearch.com Removal Procedure

This section contains comprehensive guide to help you remove threats from the affected computer.

Procedures on this page are written in a manner that can be easily understand and execute by computer users.

Stage 1: Scan the Computer with Sophos Virus Removal Tool

This malware and virus removal tool is free and easy to use. It scans, detects and removes any rootkit, malware as well as threat like Defendsearch.com home page hijacker. The tool is powerful enough to find malicious items that are hidden on the computer.

1. Download Sophos Virus Removal Tool from the link below. Save the file to your Desktop so that we can access the file easily.
Sophos Virus Removal Tool Download Link (this will open a new window)

2. After downloading, navigate to the file location and double-click it. This will start the installation procedure. User Account Control will prompt if you want to run the program, click Yes to continue.

Sophos-exe

3. On initial launch of the program, it will display a welcome screen as shown in the image below. Click Next to start the installation procedure.

sophos-welcome

4. Next, you need to accept the license agreement before Sophos Virus Removal Tool can be installed onto the computer. Choose ‘I accept the terms in the license agreement’. Then, click Next button.

sophos-license

5. On the next prompts, please click appropriate button to proceed. At the end of the installation process, it will display InstallShield Wizard Completed. Just leave the Launch Sophos Virus Removal Tool with a check mark. Then, click Finish.

6. The tool will download necessary updates so Internet connection is required at this point. Lastly, Sophos Virus Removal Tool displays the welcome screen.

sophos-update

7. Click on Start Scanning button to begin checking the system for presence of rootkit and virus. The tool reveals items that were found linked to Defendsearch.com. It also detects and removes other malicious files.

Sophos Virus Scanner

Stage 2: Scan and Delete Adware with AdwCleaner

1. Download the tool called AdwCleaner from the location stated below.
Click here to download AdwCleaner (this will open a new window)

2. Once you have completed the download, please close all running programs on the computer.

3. Locate the file and double-click on adwcleaner_Ver.exe to start running the tool. Then, click on Scan button.

AdwCleaner

4. It searches for presence of harmful programs, plug-ins, add-ons, or any data that were found malicious and linked to Defendsearch.com. You need to Clean all items detected by this tool.

5. Once scan is done, the tool may need to reboot your computer to finalize the cleaning process.

6. After reboot, AdwCleaner will display the log file of the recent scan.

Stage 3: Remove Defendsearch.com Add-on and Cleanup the Browser

After the previous scans, you may have deleted Defendsearch.com from the affected browser. This next step will ensure that no more module of adware will be left on the browser. This free tool scans and checks the browser for unwanted add-on and extension, and if found, Avast Browser Cleanup will give you a report and suggestion.

1. Download this free tool and save it to your desktop.
Avast Browser Cleanup Download Link (This will open in a new window)

2. Please install the program. Start the process by double-clicking on the executable file avast-browser-cleanup-sfx.exe.

3. When run, Avast Browser Cleanup performs a test on the browser. If unwanted entries were found, it will display a button ‘Remove all add-ons listed below and cleanup browser.’ You may remove all or delete one entry at a time.

Avast Browser Scanner

4. Avast Browser Cleanup will confirm before it permanently deletes the add-on. Please click Yes to proceed with the removal of Defendsearch.com on the affected browser.

Stage 4: Remove Defendsearch.com Extension from Google Chrome

Option 1 – Delete Malicious Extension from Chrome Browser

One way to remove Defendsearch.com from Google Chrome is simply to delete the Extension. Please follow these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome browser.

2. Type the following in the address bar: chrome://extensions

3. On Extensions window, please delete Defendsearch.com or Secure Chrome Pro by clicking on Remove or Trash icon.

Defendsearch.com Chrome Extension

4. Google Chrome will prompt for the confirmation of Defendsearch.com or Secure Chrome Pro removal. Please click on Remove button to proceed.

Delete Defendsearch.com from Chrome

5. You may now restart Chrome browser.

Option: Alternative Method to Clean Up Internet Browser from Defendsearch.com

Cleaning your internet browser from clutter and unwanted add-on/extension is a must when dealing with Defendsearch.com. The procedure below discuss on resetting various browsers to its default state.

Reset Google Chrome Settings to Remove Defendsearch.com

1. Open Google Chrome application.

2. In the address bar please type the this string: chrome://settings/ and then, press Enter on keyboard.

3. Scroll down to bottom, then click Advanced

4. Scroll to the bottom of the page until you see Reset and Clean Up section.

5. Click on Restore settings to their original defaults. If it prompts for confirmation, please click Reset Settings button to proceed.

Google Chrome Reset

This function will reset your home page, new tab page, search engine, and other areas affected by Defendsearch.com. Unwanted extensions will also be removed from the browser. This will not affect your bookmarks, history, and other saved data. You may also run Chrome Cleanup function from this page. An integrated tool from Google Chrome but with more advanced Adware scanner feature.

Restore Internet Explorer to Default Settings to Remove Defendsearch.com

1. Open Internet Explorer and navigate to top menu. Click Tools, and then Internet Options.

2. Select Advanced tab on Internet Options window.

IE Reset

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 it the browser. However, this process may delete add-ons by Defendsearch.com and other unknown objects. If you prefer to carry out the procedure manually, please view instructions here.

Reset Mozilla Firefox Settings to Remove Defendsearch.com

This section describes how to remove unwanted extension from Firefox that may be related to Defendsearch.com. 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 add-on removal from this link.

1. Navigate to Firefox menu at the top of the browser and access the Help area. Click on Troubleshooting Information.

2. A new tab will appear. You will notice a section on upper-right corner of the screen stating ‘Give Firefox a Tune Up’. Click the Refresh Firefox button.

FF Reset

3. If confirmation window appears, click Refresh Firefox to continue.

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