Application:W32/SearchProtect identifies the Search Protect program, which claims to protect the browser and search engine results from malicious extensions or hijacks.
Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it may allow the file to run, block it from running, move it to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or ask you to select an action.
If you are aware of the risks involved in using the file and consent to its use, you may change the settings of your F-Secure security product to allow the file to run. You may also change the settings to exclude it from scanning.
Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.
A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:
Check for the latest database updates
First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.
Submit a sample
After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.
Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.
Exclude a file from further scanning
If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.
Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.
The Search Protect program is promoted as a way to protect your web browser's search engine settings from modification by other programs.
Instead, it makes changes to the web browser's home page, extensions and other settings so that the user is forced to use their Conduit Search search engine provider. Search Protect prevents other programs from changing the browser settings.
It is also reportedly problematic to completely uninstall the program using its native uninstaller, as registry changes made during its installation are not reverted during uninstallation.
This program is commonly distributed packaged together with one or more other programs in an application bundle.
When a user tries to install one of the programs in an application bundle, some installers will clearly indicate the presence of the other programs in the package; others are less transparent.
If the user is aware of and agrees to the terms and conditions for the other software included in the bundle, they may choose to proceed with installing all the programs. If they do not, they may choose to install only the desired program, if that is permitted during the installation process.