ProtectedSearch.exe
ProtectedSearch by Simply Tech Ltd (Signed)
Overview
There are 11 versions of protectedsearch.exe in the wild, the latest version being 1.0.0.0. protectedsearch.exe is run as a standard windows process with the logged in user's account privileges. The process utilizes the Windows Task Scheduler to automatically launch the file as a process when a user logs into Windows. The average file size is about 65.48 KB. The file is a digitally signed and issued to Simply Tech Ltd by COMODO CA Limited. The programs Protected Search 1.1, HomeTab 4.9 and HomeTab 4.7 have been observed as installing specific variations of protectedsearch.exe. The executable is a .NET framework assembly utilizing the CLR. During the process's lifecycle, the typical CPU resource utilization is less than 0.01%, the average private memory consumption is about 101.6 MB. Addionally, typically read and write I/O disk operations is about 392.68 KB per minute for reads and 48 Bytes per minute for writes.
What is protectedsearch.exe?
Protected Search is an advertising supported program installed into Internet Explorer and Firefox web browsers. Protected Search collects and stores information about your web browsing habits and sends this information to its remote servers in order to provide injected advertising in search results and various other places. Protected Search will also modify your home page and search provider.
About protectedsearch.exe (from Simply Tech Ltd)
“SImplyGen provides browser and Application add ons ("PredictAd Add Ons") that enables users to receive website information and additional search and browsing enhancement. You acknowledge and agree tha”
 Details
|
| File name: | protectedsearch.exe |
| Publisher: | Simplygen |
| Product name: | ProtectedSearch |
| Typical file path: | C:\Program Files\protected search\protectedsearch.exe |
| Certificate |
| Issued to: | Simply Tech Ltd |
| Authority (CA): | COMODO CA Limited |
| Effective date: | Wednesday, April 4, 2012 |
| Expiration date: | Saturday, April 5, 2014 |
Programs installed in
(Note, the programs listed below are for all versions of ProtectedSearch.)
Protected Search displays various advertisements and tracks and reports your Internet browsing behavior. Protected Search is an advertising supported program installed into Internet Explorer and Firef...
HomeTab is a potentially unwanted application that runs in the web browser as a toolbar and web extension. The web extension is primarily designed to take control of the user's browser in order to mo...
Behaviors
(Note, the behaviors below are for all versions of protectedsearch.exe, select a unique version for details.)
Scheduled tasks
- The task 'Protected Search' runs on logon in the path '\ProtectedSearch\Protected Search'
- Entry path 'C:\WINDOWS\Tasks\Protected Search.job'
- Entry path '\ProtectedSearch\Protected Search'
Scheduled tasks startups
Set to load on user login (bypasses Windows UAC if enabled)
- Login entry path '\ProtectedSearch\Protected Search'
All file variations of protectedsearch.exe
Distribution by Windows OS
| OS version | distribution |
| Windows 7 Ultimate |
34.00% |
|
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
26.00% |
|
| Windows Vista Home Premium |
10.00% |
|
| Windows 7 Professional |
8.00% |
|
| Windows 8.1 Enterprise |
6.00% |
|
| Microsoft Windows XP |
6.00% |
|
| Windows 8 Pro with Media Center |
4.00% |
|
| Windows 8 |
2.00% |
|
| Windows 8 Pro |
2.00% |
|
| Windows Vista Home Basic |
2.00% |
|
Distribution by country
India installs about 12.00% of ProtectedSearch.
Distribution by PC manufacturer
| PC Manufacturer | distribution |
| Dell |
35.29% |
|
| ASUS |
17.65% |
|
| Lenovo |
17.65% |
|
| Acer |
11.76% |
|
| Toshiba |
11.76% |
|
| Hewlett-Packard |
2.94% |
|
| Samsung |
2.94% |
|
