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How can I get rid of unwanted programs?

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  • 10 have this problem
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  • Last reply by larrylB

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I received a Firefox (with Firefox logo) notice that "Outdated Browser Detected" and a box to click to update my browser. I clicked the box and ended up with 4 or 5 programs that I didn't want including a new search box, a Level Quality Watcher, a Search Protect, a Browser Safeguard, a PC Speed up. I have uninstalled most of them but can't get rid of Search Protect. If this mess is really from Firefox, I have just changed my internet browser program. Can you tell me how to get rid of Search Protect??

I received a Firefox (with Firefox logo) notice that "Outdated Browser Detected" and a box to click to update my browser. I clicked the box and ended up with 4 or 5 programs that I didn't want including a new search box, a Level Quality Watcher, a Search Protect, a Browser Safeguard, a PC Speed up. I have uninstalled most of them but can't get rid of Search Protect. If this mess is really from Firefox, I have just changed my internet browser program. Can you tell me how to get rid of Search Protect??

Chosen solution

I somehow stumbled onto a website "Conduit search virus removal guide" and it suggested I download ADware Cleaner, which I did (free) and it removed the Search Protect program. Thanks everyone for the input.

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The "Outdated Browser Detected" notice supposedly from Firefox is bogus. Ref: http://malwaretips.com/blogs/outdated-browser-detected-virus-removal/

Go to the Windows Control Panel "Programs and Features" list of installed programs and remove the unwanted software that was installed.

You should also use the malware removal tools listed in this article: Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware

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When I try to uninstall "Search Protect" I get the message "Please wait until the current program is finished uninstalling or changing. This Search Protect program lists the publisher as Conduit. I have finally gotten rid of all of the other programs. Thanks for your input on this. Larry

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You can try to boot the computer in Windows Safe Mode with network support (press F8 on the boot screen) to see if that helps to remove the program.

You can search for that domain on the about:config page and reset related prefs to the default via the right-click context menu.

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Hi, Larry.

I'm really sorry that you were mislead by this scam. I can't help you remove the unwanted software listed in Windows Control Panel's list of installed programs (a Windows forum such as sevenforums.com or answers.microsoft.com would be the place for that).

I would suggest a Firefox Reset to remove any Conduit or other problematic extensions than may have been installed to Firefox - see Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings for details.

Don't forget to scan your computer for malware using the tools listed in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article . You could ask for help removing malware from one of the forums specializing in malware removal listed at the end of that article.

Modified by AliceWyman

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Chosen Solution

I somehow stumbled onto a website "Conduit search virus removal guide" and it suggested I download ADware Cleaner, which I did (free) and it removed the Search Protect program. Thanks everyone for the input.