How to remove ZoneAlarm Security Toolbar (Uninstall Guide)
What is ZoneAlarm (redirect virus – hijacker)?
ZoneAlarm is a legitimate CheckPoint company that provides Antivirus and Firewall software in full and free versions on Zonealarm.com and other domains. Though ZoneAlarm may be along the lines of legitimate software, many consider ZoneAlarmor a potentially unwanted program, in particular a browser hijacker because ZoneAlarm software can not be installed without installing the ZoneAlarm Toolbar (ZoneAlarm Security Toolbar).
This changes the existing internet browser settings including the home page and default search engine, causing Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Internet Explorer to redirect to search.zonealarm.com.
ZoneAlarm software including ZoneAlarm Extreme Seceurity 2013, ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 2013, ZoneAlarm PRO Firewall 2013, ZoneAlarm PRO Antivirus + Firewall 2013, ZoneAlarm PC Tune-Up, and ZoneAlarm File & Folder Lock are concluded to install ZoneAlarm Security Toolbar, ZoneAlarm Search, ZoneAlarm Helper Object, and Search Protect by Conduit (among others) by simply downloading the software. During the installation process ZoneAlarm will not allow users to install the software without checking radio boxes that say “Set ZoneAlarm as my home page and new tab for: All Browsers” and “Set ZoneAlarm Search as my default search provider: All Browsers.”
Many users have found issues completely removing or uninstalling ZoneAlarm software. Some reports claim that ZoneAlarm may be difficult to uninstall, prompt many messages upon uninstalling, and corrupt it’s own uninstall file in order to stay on the system. Though this has not been completely proven we have found that ZoneAlarm may make it confusing for it’s users to uninstall and will display a series of notifications persuading users to change their minds about uninstalling the potentiality unwanted software.
What is ZoneAlarm Security Toolbar / ZoneAlarm Helper Object?
ZoneAlarm Security Toolbar and ZoneAlarm Helper Object are ZoneAlarm add-ons and extensions that attach to internet browsers during the ZoneAlarm softare installation process. They can be removed by following the instructions further below.
Is ZoneAlarm safe?
Yes, ZoneAlarm is quite safe, though many may find the software extremely privacy invading. It should be noted that other Anti-Malware and Antivirus software suites will detect and remove malware associated with ZoneAlarm. We do not recommend ZoneAlarm software.
How to remove ZoneAlarm Security Toolbar
How to remove ZoneAlarm Security Toolbar- Uninstall unwanted ZoneAlarm software – Use the correct procedures to uninstall software relating to search.zonealarm.com redirect (from 2 options)
- Remove ZoneAlarm Security Toolbar and Browser Helper Object (If necessary)
- Scan computer for malware – Scan for and remove additional malware infecting your computer
- Automatically repair browser settings – Automatically remove hijacked search.zonealarm.com browser settings and automatically uninstall associated software
- Manually remove search.zonealarm.com homepage
- Manually remove search.zonealarm.com search engine
1. Uninstall unwanted software (2 options)
Option 1: Windows Uninstall (Manual Uninstall)
1. Access Windows Start Menu and navigate to the Control Panel.
2. Click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program (depending on your version of Windows).
3. In the list of installed programs search for ZoneAlarm software and suspicious third party programs. Uninstall any unwanted software by double clicking the program’s icon, or highlight the program in the list and click the Uninstall button/tab.
4. Carefully follow the on-screen uninstall instructions. ZoneAlarm will prompt many confusing notifications. Once this is complete, if ZoneAlarm Security Toolbar, ZoneAlarm Search, and others are not removed, please use further instruction.
Option 2: CCleaner by Piriform (Automated Uninstall)
CCleaner by Piriform
CCleaner can be used to uninstall stubborn software and software used to promote browser hijackers. CCleaner is notorious for removing similar hijackers such as Conduit Search.
1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform and run the program.
2. Once installed, navigate to Tools > Uninstall tab and locate ZoneAlarm software in the list. To automatically uninstall the software click Run Uninstaller.
3. To automatically remove leftover ZoneAlarm registry entries using CCleaner (video above), navigate to the Registry tab, click the Scan for Issues button, then click the Fix selected issues… button and follow the on-screen instructions.
2. Remove ZoneAlarm Security Toolbar and Browser Helper Object
If necessary after uninstalling ZoneAlarm software, you may need to remove ZoneAlarm Security Toolbar and ZoneAlarm Helper Object. Please note, it may be necessary to remove multiple third-party titles.
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 ZoneAlarm 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 ZoneAlarm 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 ZoneAlarm Toolbar add-on and remove it if located.
3. Scan computer for malware (Automated removal)
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can be used to detect and remove additional and/or third-party malware from your computer system, including malware that may be responsible for symptoms of the search.zonealarm.com virus (term).
1. Install the free or paid version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
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, please do so.
3. Open the first tab labeled “Scanner” and select the Perform full scan option. Click the Scan button to perform a full system scan. Malwarebytes will automatically detect malware infecting your computer system.
4. Once the full system scan is complete, Malwarebytes may prompt a message 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).
4. Automatically repair browser settings (Automated repair)
CCleaner by Piriform
CCleaner can also be used to repair internet browser settings and stop your browser from redirecting to http://search.zonealarm.com and other unwanted search engines and websites.
1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform and run the program.
2. Once installed, run 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. Look for anything that may be suspicious or contain “zonealarm or search” in the title or filename.
5. Manually remove search.zonealarm.com homepage
- In Mozilla Firefox navigate to Tools > Options or click Firefox in the top left corner and click Options > Options. Under the General tab remove search.zonealarm.com from the “Home Page:” field and replace it with your preferred home page URL.
- In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools >Internet Options. Remove search.zonealarm.com from the Home Page field and replace it with your preferred URL.
- In Google Chrome click the customize icon (wrench or 3 bars) and navigate to Settings.Click “Set pages” under the On startup option. Remove search.zonealarm.com and replace it with your preferred URL.
6. Manually remove search.zonealarm.com search engine
- In Mozilla Firefox, click the small search magnify glass near the search box (not url/search field) and click “Manage Search Engines…”. Remove the search.zonealarm.com search engine from the list of search providers by highlighting the selections and clicking remove.
- In Microsoft Internet Explorer navigate to Tools > Manage Add Ons > Search Providers and remove the search.zonealarm.com search engine from the list.
- In Google Chrome, click the customize icon (wrench or 3 bars) and navigate to Settings > Manage search engines… click the X next to search.zonealarm.com to remove it as your search engine.
Please note, If http://search.zonealarm.com is set as Google Chrome’s default search engine, add (or select) a new search engine (such as Google.com) and select the new search engine as the default search engine, then remove www.search.zonealarm.com by clicking the X next to it.
