How to remove Royal Search Toolbar (Hijacker Removal Guide)
Royal Search Toolbar (Browser Hijacker)
Royal Search Toolbar (also found as the Royal Search virus, Royal-Search Toolbar virus, Royal-Search Community Toolbar, Royal-Search Toolbar for IE, etc. though not an actual computer virus) is potential malware categorized as a browser hijacker and spyware that downloads and installs to a Microsoft Windows PC and attaches to Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer as a browser add-on, browser helper object (BHO), and extension with or without user consent.
Once Royal-Search Toolbar is installed, the program will begin to change existing internet browser settings, including the home page, managed, provided, and default search engine. This causes unwanted browser redirects and start ups to www.royal-search.com, search.conduit.com, and other sites, and other complications.
Once Royal-Search Toolbar is installed, it may appear at the top of an open internet browser window and contain a search box and links to social media and promoted websites including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, as well as links to unknown websites. The toolbar at the top of an open browser window may also contain suspicious advertisements promoting non-beneficial software as shown in the image above with text that reads “Fix PC Errors (Free).” This toolbar is sometimes referred to as the Happy Birthday toolbar due to containing advertisements and links that contain the text.
Royal Search Toolbar and similar items may change Microsoft Windows start up settings and corrupt browser shortcuts, which will also help the Royal-Search Toolbar hijacker and third-party malware into reformatting existing internet browser settings. Furthermore Royal-Search Toolbar may allow additional third-party malware to infect a computer system or install without consent including advertisement serving platforms (adware) and even spyware.
Royal-Search Toolbar and related parties have been reported to collect sensitive user information including you IP address, your name, telephone number, home address, email address, and more. Royal-Search Toolbar malware and related parties may even collect and distribute user information manually submitted into online forms while Royal-Search Toolbar and third-party software is installed and attached to internet browsers, including usernames, passwords, credit card details, bank account information, social media relationships, and more. Cyber crimes relating to the browser hijacker category (though rare in this case) include credit theft, extortion, identity theft, and others.
Most victims of Royal-Search complain of unwanted email spam, junk mail, and even telephone calls from telemarketers. It has been concluded that this particular Toolbar and related parties will submit users to marketing and mailing lists without direct consent.
How does Royal-Search Toolbar malware get onto a computer?
Royal-Search Toolbar often bundles with third-party software including freeware and shareware from distributors such as download.com and softonic.com.
In some cases users may have the opportunity to accept or decline an offer to install Royal-Search Toolbar; however the request to decline the installation is often ignored or presented in a colluding manner.
How to remove Royal Search Toolbar
- Automatically remove Royal-Search Toolbar – Scan for and automatically remove Royal-Search Toolbar and third-party malware
- Manually remove Royal-Search Toolbar – Remove/Uninstall Royal-Search Toolbar and third-party malware (if necessary)
1. Automatic Royal-Search Toolbar removal
Use the instructions below to automatically remove Royal-Search Toolbar and third-party malware, as well as automatically remove unwanted search engines from your installed internet browsers.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
1. Install the free or paid version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
2. Once Malwarebytes is installed, run the program. If you are using the free version of Malwarebytes you will be prompted to update the database, make sure to do so.
3. On the first tab labeled “Scanner” select the Perform full scan option and click the Scan button to perform a full system scan. Malwarebytes will automatically detect malware infecting the computer system.
4. Once the malware scan is complete, Malwarebytes may prompt a notice stating malicious objects were detected. Select the malicious objects and click the Remove Selected button to completely remove the malicious files from your computer (the image below shows a file that is NOT selected) or click the Delete button to remove quarantined files.
CCleaner
CCleaner can be used to automatically repair internet browser settings startup up settings, and uninstall Royal-Search Toolbar (Search protect by conduit) and associated third-party software.
1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform.
2. Once installed, open the program and navigate to Cleaner > Windows/Applications and click the Analyze button. Afterwards, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.
3. Next, navigate to Tools > Startup and search through each tab starting from windows, internet explorer, etc., all the way to Content Menu, for additional suspicious entries and click Disable and Delete once anything is found.
4. To automatically uninstall Royal-Search Toolbar and search Protect by conduit, as well as other unwanted programs, navigate to the Uninstall tab and search for Royal-Search Toolbar, etc. in the list of installed programs. Uninstall the unwanted software as selected by clicking the Run Uninstaller button.
2. Manual Royal-Search Toolbar removal
Use the instructions below to manually uninstall Royal-Search Toolbar malware and third-party software using generic Microsoft Windows removal procedures.
How to uninstall Royal-Search Toolbar
1. Access Windows Start Menu and navigate to the Control Panel.
2. Click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program.
3. In the list of installed programs search for Royal-Search Toolbar, recently installed software, and other potentially unwanted software. Once located, double click the unwanted programs or highlight them in the list and click the Uninstall button.
How to remove Royal-Search Toolbar add-ons and extensions
Use the instructions to remove Royal-Search Toolbar add-ons, extensions, plug-ins, and additional third-party toolbars. Please note, it may be necessary to remove multiple third-party items.
Google Chrome
1. Click on the Customize icon (wrench or 3 bar icon) next to the address bar and navigate to Tools > Extensions.
2. Search for the Royal-Search Toolbar extension and remove it by clicking the trashcan icon next to them.
Mozilla Firefox
1. Type Ctrl+Shift+A.
2. On the Extensions and Plugin search for the Royal-Search Toolbar add-on and remove it.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.
2. On the Toolbars and Extensions tab search for the Royal-Search Toolbar add-on and remove it if located.