Protectionapps.live is a browser hijacker designed to change your web browser’s search engine and redirect all your queries to https://search.protectionapps.live. Software programs of this type are usually designed to alter the settings and collect information about the user’s browsing history. Yahoo generates the results displayed, and users are redirected to search.yahoo.com.
This malicious domain is created by remote hackers whose main intention is to make money illegally (via advertising revenue) by manipulating unsuspecting users.
What does Protectionapps.live do?
As mentioned above, Protectionapps.live changes your computers’ web browser default settings and appears in the browser settings when a malicious extension is installed. This fake search engine promotes third-party content and also redirects victims to malicious websites without their consent.
Below are some of the signs exhibited by the computer once the browser hijacker has been installed:
- The browser’s default homepage becomes search.protectionapps.live
- The browser’s default search engine becomes search.protectionapps.live
- The browser’s search queries get redirected via search.protectionapps.live
- A malicious browser extension gets installed on your computer.
How to remove Protectionapps.live?
This browser hijacker usually attacks Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera, and other web browsers. This poses serious issues about browsing safety, online privacy, and identity theft.
If you have suffered this unfortunate attack, calm down. We’re going to share with you some protectionapps.live removal instructions that will help remove the malware from your computer completely and safely. The manual process is lengthy, time-consuming, and requires advanced computer skills. It takes time because it might take you a while before you detect the threat. The automatic option allows users to use reliable anti-malware software to remove the browser hijacker faster.
OPTION 1:
Follow these steps to remove the malicious program from Windows.
Windows Vista and Windows 7
- Click on “Start.”
- Go to “Control Panel.”
- Select “Program.”
- Locate a recently installed program that looks suspicious.
- Click on “Uninstall” to remove the program.
Windows XP
- Click on “Start.”
- Choose “Settings.”
- Go to “Control Panel.”
- Select “Add or Remove Programs.”
- Find a recently-installed program with malicious activity and uninstall it.
Windows 10/11 and Windows 8
- Right-click in the bottom left corner of the screen to get the menu.
- Select “Control Panel.”
- Open “Programs and Feature.”
- Drag the malicious file to “Trash.”
- Empty your recycle bin.
It’s advised that you still scan your computer after this malware removal procedure.
OPTION 2:
Follow the below instructions to clean up your device using robust anti-malware software:
- Choose a reliable tool that can remove different types of malware from your computer.
- Download the software. You can find the downloaded file in the “Downloads” folder.
- Double-click on the setup file to start the installation process.
- Follow the prompts that show up on your screen by clicking “Next.”
- When the installation is complete, click on “Get Started.”
- Then start scanning by clicking on “Scan Now.”
- Once the scanning is complete, remove all the malicious files that are detected.
- Restart your computer.
OPTION 3:
Follow these clear, detailed, and easy to understand instructions to remove the malicious browser hijacker from your web browser:
- Click on the web browser’s menu icon.
- Select “More Tools” or “Settings” depending on the browser you’re using.
- Click on “Extentions.”
- Find all suspicious-looking add-ons.
- Click “Remove”
- Enter your preferred domain that’ll open when you launch your web browser.
- If you want the browser to open a blank page, enter “about: blank.”
If the above method doesn’t work, you’ll need to reset the web browser settings to the original settings. This should be done as a last resort after the steps above have failed to resolve the problem because it clears all history and saved accounts. Resetting the browser resets any unwanted changes installed by the malicious programs. Here’s how you can reset the browser’s settings:
- Click on the main menu icon on your browser.
- Go to settings.
- Click on advanced settings.
- Click on “Reset settings to original default.”
- Confirm that you would like to reset the setting to default.
Your computer should now be free of the protectionapps.live program. If the malicious program was able to bypass your current anti-malware software program, consider purchasing a full-featured version that offers better protection against these types of threats.
Conclusion
Browser hijackers such as protectionapps.live modify the user’s web browser by assigning the homepage and default search engine settings to an unwanted website URL. Usually, the infection affects the computer through free software downloads. You should avoid downloading apps from untrusted websites. It’s always easier to prevent infections than it is to remove them.
If you are still experiencing any issue as you try to remove the protectionapps.live by yourself, seek assistance from a professional to avoid any further damage to your computer.