The banner with the padlock icon is part of LW's interface. You can't get rid of it.

Are you connected properly (how many green connection bars do you see)?
If your connection is ok, try this: Problems with the search

And if that's no help, delete LW's preferences folder when LW's properly closed. See point 3 here & also point 2 if you've used older versions of LW in the past (there could be a folder in either location).
Fixes for LimeWire
This will kill all of your settings within options, you'll have to go back through afterwards & reset things.

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