Do you know what SearchandDestroy is?

DESCRIPTION

SearchandDestroy is known as a misleading application that pretends to remove spyware and adware. SearchandDestroy comes from the website Search-and-Destroy.com which is a deceptive website promoting rogue anti-spyware software. SearchandDestroy performs scans on users computers displaying erroneous scan results making users believe that they are infected with adware and spyware parasites.

SearchandDestroy prompts users to purchase a full licensed version of the SearchandDestroy program if they wish to remove the bogus threats that it found. This is where SearchandDestroy will literally search and destroy your hard earned money once you purchase this useless program.

In non-techie terms: SearchandDestroy is not affiliated with SpyBot Search & Destroy despite that SearchandDestroy closely resembles the name of SpyBot Search & Destroy. SearchandDestroy is not a legitimate spyware removal tool. Users must avoid the use of SearchandDestroy and the Search-and-Destroy.com website at all costs. Do not under any circumstances purchase SearchandDestroy or visit the Search-and-Destroy.com website.

Aliases: SearchandDestroy, Search and Destroy, Search-and-Destroy, Search-and-Destroy.com

SearchandDestroy Automatic Removal Instructions

This automatic removal method is for non-techie computer users. If you’re too lazy to learn about spyware removal or how to access sensitive files in your computer, then this is the method for you.

Before you start: Print or bookmark these instructions because you’ll have to reboot into Safe Mode. Also back up your computer in case you make a mistake.

1. Download and save SmitFraudFix to your desktop.

2. Restart your computer in Safe Mode (how to do safe mode). Once the
   desktop appears, double click on the SmitfraudFix.exe on your desktop.

3. After the credits screen, you’ll see a menu as shown in the image below.
   Select the option number 2, which is ‘Clean (safe mode recommended)’, and then
   press Enter to delete infect files.

4. SmitFraudFix will begin cleaning your computer and take a series of cleanup
   processes. When the process is over, it will automatically begin the Disk
   Cleanup program. View the ‘Disk Cleanup program’ image below.

5. Once the Disk Cleanup program is complete, you will be prompted with the
   message ‘Registry cleaning – Do you want to clean the registry’. Answer Y (Yes)
   and hit Enter. Reboot your computer.

6. SmitFraudFix will now check if wininet.dll is infected. SmitFraudFix will
   ask you whether to replace the infected file (if there’s any) ‘Replace infected
   file?’ Answer by typing Y (Yes) and hit Enter.

7. Reboot your computer to complete the cleaning process.
8. After reboot, a Notepad screen may appear containing a log of all the files
   removed from your computer. If it doesn’t appear, a file will be created called
   rapport.txt in the root of your drive, (Local Disk C:).

9. Restart your computer in Safe Mode (how to do safe mode).
10. Go to C:\Windows\Temp, click Edit, click Select All, press DELETE, and then
    click Yes to confirm that you want all the items to go to the Recycle Bin.

11. Go to C:\Documents and Settings\[LISTED USER]\Local Settings\Temp,
    click Edit, click Select All, press DELETE, and then click Yes to confirm that
    you want all the items to go to the Recycle Bin.

12. Reboot your computer back to normal mode. Go to Windows Update and download
    all critical updates.

SearchandDestroy Manual Removal Instructions

This manual removal method is for techie computer users. SearchandDestroy manual removal may be difficult and time consuming to remove. There’s no guarantee that SearchandDestroy will be removed completely. So read the SearchandDestroy removal steps carefully and good luck.
Before you start: Close all programs and Internet browsers. Also back up your computer in case you make a mistake and your computer stops working.

1. Uninstall SearchandDestroy Program
   Click on Start > Settings > Control Panel > Double-click on Add/Remove Programs. Search for and uninstall SearchandDestroy if found.
2. To stop SearchandDestroy processes (view process removal steps)
   Go to Start > Run > type taskmgr. The click the Processes tab and you’ll see a list of running processes.
   Search and stop these SearchandDestroy processes:
   Search And Destroy.exe
   uninstall.exe

   For each unwanted process, right-click on it and then select “End task”.

3. To unregister SearchandDestroy registry keys (view registry keys removal steps)
   Go to Start > Run > type regedit > press OK.
   Edit the value (on the right pane) by right-clicking on it and selecting the Modify option. Select the Delete option.
   Search and delete these SearchandDestroy registry keys:

   HKEY_ALL_USERS\Software\MPMFC1
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Search And Destroy5.2
   

4. If your homepage has been changed, go to Start > Control Panel > Internet Options > click on the General > click Use Default under Home Page. Add the your desired default homepage, then click Apply > click OK. Open a new web browser to check that you have your desired default homepage.
5. Remove SearchandDestroy Directories.
   To find SearchandDestroy directories, go to Start > My Computer > Local Disk (C:) > Program Files > Show the contents of this folder.
   Search and delete the following SearchandDestroy directories:
   %ProgramFiles%\Search And Destroy\

   Right-click on the SearchandDestroy folder and select Delete.
   A message will appear saying ‘Are you sure you want to remove the folder [NAME OF FOLDER] and move all its contents to the Recycle Bin?’, click Yes.
   Another message will appear saying ‘Renaming, moving or deleting [FOLDERNAME] could make some programs not work. Are you sure you want to do this?’, click Yes.

6. To remove SearchandDestroy icons on your Desktop, drag and drop them to the Recycle Bin.

You’ve completed the SearchandDestroy manual removal instructions!
I hope this article has helped you solve your SearchandDestroy problems. If you want to contribute to this article, post your comment below.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes. By using this information you agree to be bound by the disclaimer. There’s no guarantee that SearchandDestroy will be completely removed from your computer. Seek professional help if your computer continues to experience problems.

Source: http://www.spyware-techie.com/searchanddestroy-removal-guide/