| What is
Search and Destroy? Search and Destroy is another in a long list of fake "spyware removal programs". Most of these infect computers when you are required to download an infected codec program to watch a video online or you may have been attacked by a drive-by installation. In any case, the program "Search and Destroy" tries to use a name similar to a very popular and useful removal tool called Spybot Search and Destroy. It installs on your computer, then proceeds to run a scan and show you a variety of infections that need to be removed. The only problem is my test computer was completely clean of spyware, adware, viruses and other issues when I downloaded and installed Search and Destroy. |
What I found was "Search and Destroy" listed files that did not exist on my system as issues. So, this program seems to find nonexistant files to blame for issues on my computer. A good example of this is it pointed to the All Users\Application Data folder for files related to the Viewpoint Media Player, which will install with AOL instant messenger. The only problem is the folder is not on my computer. Its one thing to say an actual file on a computer is infected with something, but to show a list of files that don't even exist on the computer is something totally different. You'll find screenshots below of what I'm talking about.
The Search and Destroy program hundreds of files on my test computer that are spyware/adware related. You'll see the screenshot below.
For these reasons, I would suggest removing Search and Destroy from your computer and using a real antimalware program such as SuperAntiSpyware or MalwareBytes Anti-Malware to name just a couple. In fact, I'll show you below how to remove Search and Destroy with the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware program
Step
by Step Procedure for Removing Search and Destroy
Download and install MalwareBytes Anti-Malware
1) Click on this link to visit MalwareBytes and download their Anti-Malware application to your desktop
2) Double-click on the file Download_mbam-setup.exe on your desktop to start the installation.
3) Follow the prompts during the installation process. Do not make any changes to default settings and make sure you leave both the Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware checked. Then click on the Finish button.
4) MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will now automatically start and you should see the screen below. Click on Perform Quick Scan and click on the Scan Button.
5) During the scan, you'll see the following screen as the program scans your computer for any issues. This may take quite some time. Please be patient.
6) When the scan is completed, you should see the following window. Click Ok, then click the Show Results button to examine the findings.
7) On the Scan Results page, click the Remove Selected button to remove the problem entries and files.
8)
When the removal is completed, a log file will be created and shown in
Notepad, you may review this information then close it and finally
click on Exit to close the program
Congratulations! Your computer should be free of the fake spyware removal program called Search and Destroy and all the false positive results that it finds.
Printer Friendly Version of This Page
Bookmark and Share this Article on PCHELL with these Social Networks:
Removal Instructions for Other Programs
Spyware Removal and Other Resources
Essential Tools for Removing Spyware, Adware, and Malware
Rootkit Removal Tools and Help
How to Delete Undeleteable Files
Review of Free Registry Cleaner
How to Manually Run the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
How to Remove Windows Diagnostic or Windows Restore malware
Bargain Buddy Removal Instructions and Help
Click2FindNow and I-Lookup Removal
Electronic Greeting Card Virus - MSDATAACCESS.EXE Removal Instructions and Help
Powered by Zedo Popup Ad Removal Instructions and Help
Search and Destroy Removal Instructions and Help
Spyaxe, Spy Trooper, Spy Sheriff, Brave Sentry and Similar Removal Instructions and Help
TheSpyBot Removal Instructions and Help
Spam Blocker Utility Removal Instructions and Help
DriveCleaner Removal Instructions and Help
Alfacleaner Removal Instructions and Help
Spylocked Removal Instructions and Help
AntivirusGolden Removal Instructions and Help
VirusProtectPro Removal Instructions and Help
UltimateDefender and UltimateCleaner 2007 Removal Instructions and Help
VirusRescue Removal Instructions and Help
PestCapture Removal Instructions and Help
SystemDoctor 2006 Removal Instructions and Help
How to Fix Task Manager disabled by your Administrator
How to Fix Problem Changing Desktop Wallpaper
How to Remove SmitFraud Variants like WinAntivirus Pro 2007 and PestCapture
SurfSideKick Removal Instructions and Help
How to Remove Zango Search Assistant and Toolbar
About:Blank Homepage Hijacker Removal Instructions and Help
Kazaa Removal Instructions and Help
How to Disable Windows XP Security Alert Balloons and Notifications
res://random.dll Homepage Hijacker Removal Instructions and Help
IBIS Web Search (websearch.com) Removal Instructions and Help
Open Search Web (Lop.com) Removal Instructions and Help
UPDMGR.EXE Removal Instructions and Help
FCADVICE.EXE Removal Instructions and Help
U3 Smart Drives - What are they and how to remove U3
Dubolom.com Homepage Hijacker Removal Instructions and Help
DSO Exploit Removal Instructions and Help
FastSearch.cc Homepage Hijacker Removal Instructions and Help
My Web Search Removal Instructions and Help
Cursor Mania Removal Instructions and Help
Fun Buddy Icons Removal Instructions and Help
Smiley Central Removal Instructions and Help
My Mail Stamps Removal Instructions and Help
My Mail Stationery Removal Instructions and Help
My Mail Signatures Removal Instructions and Help
Fun Web Products Popular Screensavers Removal Instructions and Help
Webfetti Removal Instructions and Help
What is PDF Spam and Does it Contain Viruses
Hugesearch.net Homepage Hijacker Removal Instructions and Help
Search-Space.com and Start-Space.com Homepage Hijacker Removal Instructions and Help
How to Remove Global-Finder.com Homepage Hijacker
Huntbar and Search Toolbar Info and Removal
Look2Me Removal Instructions and Help
Lookfor.cc (res://mshp.dll/index.html) Homepage Hijacker Removal Instructions and Help
MaximumSearch.net Homepage Hijacker Removal Instructions and Help
Ncase Removal Instructions and Help
People OnPage Toolbar Info and Removal
SearchMyRequest.com Homepage Hijacker Removal Instructions and Help
Smartsearch.ws Homepage Hijacker Removal Instructions and Help
SysUpd.exe (TSCash) Removal Instructions and Help
Ezula TopText (yellow underlined links) Removal Instructions and Help
How to Remove SpeedBlaster and MemoryMeter
TopRebates and WebRebates Removal Instructions and Help
Twaintec.dll Removal Instructions and Help
Viewpoint Removal Instructions and Help
WildTangent Removal Instructions and Help
| Search PCHell.com |
|
| site search by freefind | advanced |
Tools for Removing Spyware, Adware, and Malware
PC HELL
Other Pages
Welchia (Dllhost.exe and SVCHost.exe) Worm Removal
Uninstall Antivir Instructions
How to Manually Run the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
Bloodhound.Exploit.6 Virus Removal
Backdoor SDBot.H Trojan Removal
iPadastic - News, Tutorials, Help, Tips, and Hints for the iPad
Download Hoyle Games
including Casino 3D, Card, Board, and Solitaire games.
