Do you know what Search Box Ds is?
If you are not happy with your web search tool, you might end up looking for something better. This is when Search Box Ds might come into the picture. This is a search tool that is represented via a browser extension, and, at the time of research, it was compatible with Google Chrome. The extension is officially introduced to Chrome users at install.searchboxlive.com/?pid=11111&dr=t, as well the Chrome web store at chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/search-box-ds/hfbjajcpicfpkiiiajggnphibcabkdjj. If you downloaded the PUP (potentially unwanted program) from either of these sources, it is possible that you have nothing else to worry about. However, if you used an unfamiliar installer, you might need to delete other threats. First, of course, you might want to delete Search Box Ds.
The term “potentially unwanted program” is very broad, and there are all different kinds of PUPs out there. In general, however, these are programs that do not serve in a beneficial manner and that use false claims, promises, or tricks to conceal malicious activity. When it comes to Search Box Ds, it is not a very useful program, and it uses the name of a well-known search tool to conceal questionable activity. This PUP redirects searches via the default search provider – which is set to feed.searchboxlive.com?st= after installation – to Yahoo Search, but the results are modified. Basically, although it looks like a normal search engine that you might be well familiar with, the results cannot be trusted. These results could include ads from third parties we know nothing about, and that means that we have to consider the option that they could be malicious and misleading. That is one reason to remove Search Box Ds.
After installation, Search Box Ds also tracks your browsing activity. This PUP is even capable of reading the browsing history to see what kind of content you checked in the past. What does that mean? Most likely, the potentially unwanted program is using this information to help third parties personalize the content you see when you use the unpredictable search tool. The information is collected using web cookies. Speaking of information that is being collected, some personal information can be recorded too, and you can read all about it at searchboxlive.com/privacy. Because the PUP might use persistent cookies, which store information permanently, the manual removal guide below shows how to delete Search Box Ds cookies as well. Even if you did not use the PUP to browse the web, we recommend clearing browsing data to ensure that no leftovers persist.
Search Box Ds screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
It is easy to remove Search Box Ds, and if you are not sure how to do it, all you have to do is follow the steps below. Once you eliminate the PUP, we encourage you to employ a trusted malware scanner to help you inspect the operating system for malicious threats or other potentially unwanted programs. A scanner does not have to cost you a thing, but it can save you from a lot of trouble. Of course, if threats are discovered, implementing a legitimate anti-malware tool is the smart thing to do. Keep this tool up-to-date in the future to ensure that you are always safe and that PUPs cannot fool you again.
Delete Search Box Ds from Google Chrome
- Open the browser and then tap keys Alt and F together.
- In the opened menu, click More tools to expand your options.
- Click Extensions and then find Search Box Ds.
- Click the Remove button to eliminate this PUP.
- Tap Alt and F keys again and then select Settings.
- Click Advanced at the bottom and then click Clear browsing data.
- Click Advanced, select the time range, and mark the boxes.
- Click the Clear data button.
In non-techie terms:
Search Box Ds might sound pretty great because it promises the “best” search services, but, in reality, it is just another tool that was created to aid virtual advertisers. The creator of this PUP uses attractive services to gain users, and then they employ cookies, web beacons, and other tracking technologies to learn more about the users and their browsing habits. This can help advertisers introduce them to more attractive ads, which are likely to be delivered via the search tool. At the time of research, the PUP’s internal search tool was redirecting to Yahoo Search, but the results were modified. So, can you trust this extension? We would not recommend it. To remove Search Box Ds, either follow the manual removal guide above, or employ an anti-malware program to have it eliminated automatically.