Search Guard Plus

Posted: September 2, 2016

Threat Metric

The Threat Meter is a malware assessment that SpywareRemove.com's research team is able to give every identifiable malware threat. Our Threat Meter includes several criteria based off of specific malware threats to value their severity, reach and volume. The Threat Meter is able to give you a numerical breakdown of each threat's initial Threat Level, Detection Count, Volume Count, Trend Path and Percentage Impact. The overall ranking of each threat in the Threat Meter is a basic breakdown of how all threats are ranked within our own extensive malware database. The scoring for each specific malware threat can be easily compared to other emerging threats to draw a contrast in its particular severity. The Threat Meter is a useful tool in the endeavor of seeking a solution to remove a threat or pursue additional analytical research for all types of computer users.

The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:

Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.

Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.

Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.

Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.

% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.

Ranking:	17,320
Threat Level:	1/10
Infected PCs:	714

First Seen:	September 2, 2016
Last Seen:	August 8, 2023
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

Search Guard Plus is a search engine hijacker that may change your browser settings to promote its personal search features. When considered alone, this feature isn't invariably threatening, but malware experts do correlate Search Guard Plus and similar products with potential security risks. Deleting Search Guard Plus or even avoiding its unintended installation through the proper use of your PC security options can save your browser from loading unnecessary or unsafe content.

A Program that's a Minus to Your Web-Searching Quality

Malware researchers often see wide divergences between a company's branding and the real functions of its products, especially when it comes to software that modifies the default Web browser. Make the World Better LLC distributes Search Guard Plus as a possible defense against any unwanted browser hijackings, but there are no discernible security benefits that this product provides. Instead, Search Guard Plus is itself, a browser hijacker, and takes control over your browser's search settings.

Search Guard Plus's installer bundles with other programs, such as MyWebTattoo and My Face LOL, that also are on offer by the same company. Installing this programs doesn't always include consent options for Search Guard Plus, which may reset the default browser's search engine settings to its custom search site. Although malware experts find no original results from Search Guard Plus (which uses the results of real search engines, such as Google and Bing), they did find Search Guard Plus offering original content in the form of sponsored advertisements. Without uninstalling Search Guard Plus and reversing its changes, the user may become a passive source of advertising traffic.

The Proper Equation for Subtracting Search Guard Plus from Your Searches

Search Guard Plus's company markets their software to minors and heavy users of social networking services predominantly. Its distribution methods make it paramount to avoid downloading software add-ons, plugins or extensions from sources lacking your complete trust. Secondarily, you also can use your security software to scan these downloads and detect a bundle-based installer like the ones Search Guard Plus uses.

Search Guard Plus is a single example of a generous handful of applications that Make the Web Better LLC uses for browser-modifying purposes. Users unable to delete Search Guard Plus should use anti-malware and anti-adware solutions as appropriate, and be ready to take any steps that their browser's developer recommends. Letting redirects to unwanted search results continue without abatement is one common source of other security risks, including fake software updates and a variety of online hoaxes.

While its developers may be happy to represent Search Guard Plus as being a benefit to your search experience, any programs taking away your consent over your Web-surfing routes are, at best, suspicious ones.

Technical Details

File System Modifications

Tutorials: If you wish to learn how to remove malware components manually, you can read the tutorials on how to find malware, kill unwanted processes, remove malicious DLLs and delete other harmful files. Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.

The following files were created in the system:

C:\Program Files\Search Guard PlusU\uninstalSGPU.exe

File name: C:\Program Files\Search Guard PlusU\uninstalSGPU.exe
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Group: Malware file

C:\Program Files\search guard plusu\sgpUpdaters.exe

File name: C:\Program Files\search guard plusu\sgpUpdaters.exe
MD5: 775bf57eca4912ab05ca0424f2d958a1
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Group: Malware file

sgpUpdaters.exe

File name: sgpUpdaters.exe
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Group: Malware file

Additional Information

The following URL's were detected:

/searchfunctions.commysearchinc.comwww.searchguardplus.comwww.searchguardplus.com/Uninstall.aspx