Search-Guard

Search-Guard is classified as an intrusive PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program), equipped with browser-hijacker capabilities. Indeed, users may see the application advertise itself as a more secure way to search the Web. However, others may not even realize that an intruder application was being installed on their systems. After all, PUPs rely heavily on underhanded distribution techniques, such as software bundles or even completely fake installers.

The consequences of having Search-Guard present on the system will become obvious almost immediately. The application is tasked with promoting its page - 'search-guard.xyz,' and generating traffic towards it. It does so by assuming control over the user's Web browsers and changing several vital settings. The PUP will substitute the current homepage, new tab page, and default search engine. PUPs also are notorious for spying on the user's browsing activities. Furthermore, numerous device details may also be harvested, packaged and transmitted.

The involvement of a browser hijacker is typically a sign of a fake search engine, and the one promoted by Search-Guard is not an exception. Instead of scouring the Internet and showing users the desired results, search-guard.xyz takes the search queries and redirects them to the legitimate Bing engine. This may not always be the case, though. Fake search engines could adjust their behavior and show results from dubious or untrustworthy sources based on factors, such as the user's IP address, device type, browser type, geolocation, etc.