I have this program running called SearchProtect which is running in the folder C:\Program Files\Search Protect. The file is digitally signed by Conduit Ltd. However I have never installed this product and there is now entry in add/remove programs in windows to remove it. I scanned with heardProtect and it did detected a number of files related to this (adware). My question is why and how I got this on my PC?

So, I figured it out after looking around online. Search Protect (by Conduit/ClientConnect) is typically bundled with a number of free software providers and the notorious download managers that make a few cents by installing this along with their own software. The program Search Protect is designed just to monitor the web browser's default home page and search settings and 'protect' another program from changing it. While its great that it helps 'prevent' other adware from modifying the settings, this thing is nothing more than adware itself as it forces me to search through Bing via Conduit and not more original provider, Google. As for removing it, not an easy task as it was NOT found in remove programs. However, herdprotect saved the day and got rid of it from my PC! Now I just make sure I read any installers to prevent it from adding Search protect again to my computer.

Search Protect is one of the most commonly bundled 3rd-party adware I have ever seen. Like Joeyc has mentioned above it is not an easy task to remove, however there are some simple ways to get rid of it. For one, herdProtect does a good job of removing all the files and extensions installed by Conduit (now they call themselves ClientConnect). However a bunch of remnants remain after it is cleaned. To fully get rid of it, look for and remove the following folders and registry entries: