Ad-Protect
From Wiki-Security, the free encyclopedia of computer security
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Ad-Protect is a fake anti-spyware application that may get installed without user's knowlegde or consent through browser security holes or by a Trojan. Ad-Protect will bombard your screen with fake security messages stating that your computer system is in danger and infected with spyware. Ad-Protect will try to convince you to buy its promoted spyware removal tool but the program shouldn't be trusted.
To check your computer for Ad-Protect, download
SpyHunter Spyware Detection Tool.
SpyHunter spyware detection tool is only a scanner meant to assist you in detecting Ad-Protect and other threats. If you detect the presence of Ad-Protect on your PC, you have the opportunity to purchase the SpyHunter removal tool to remove any traces of Ad-Protect.
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Detection of Ad-Protect (Recommended)
Ad-Protect is difficult to detect and remove. Ad-Protect is not likely to be removed through a convenient "uninstall" feature. Ad-Protect, as well as other spyware, can re-install itself even after it appears to have been removed.
You also run the risk of damaging your computer since you're required to find and delete sensitive files in your system such as DLL files and registry keys. It is recommended you use a good spyware remover to remove Ad-Protect and other spyware, adware, trojans and viruses on your computer.
Run a Ad-Protect scan/check to successfully detect all Ad-Protect files with the SpyHunter Spyware Detection Tool. If you wish to remove Ad-Protect, you can either purchase the SpyHunter spyware removal tool to remove Ad-Protect or follow the Ad-Protect manual removal method provided in the "Remedies and Prevention" section.
Method of Infection
There are many ways your computer could get infected with Ad-Protect. Ad-Protect can come bundled with shareware or other downloadable software.
Another method of distributing Ad-Protect involves tricking you by displaying deceptive pop-up ads that may appear as regular Windows notifications with links which look like buttons reading Yes and No. No matter which "button" that you click on, a download starts, installing Ad-Protect on your system. Ad-Protect installs on your computer through a trojan and may infect your system without your knowledge or consent.
If you think you may already be infected with Ad-Protect, use this SpyHunter Spyware dectection tool to detect Ad-Protect and other common Spyware infections. After detection of Ad-Protect, the next advised step is to remove Ad-Protect with the purchase of the SpyHunter Spyware removal tool.
Symptoms
Ad-Protect may attempt to change your computer's desktop, hijack your browser, monitor your Internet browsing activities, change system files, and can do this without your knowledge or permission. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to remove all traces of Ad-Protect from your computer.
Remedies and Prevention
Ad-Protect, as well as other Spyware, are constantly evolving and becoming more advanced to avoid detection. Ad-Protect along with its variants can install in different locations and even when you try to uninstall it you find they reappear when you reboot your computer.
Install a good anti-spyware software
When there's a large number of traces of Spyware, for example Ad-Protect, that have infected a computer, the only remedy may be to automatically run a Spyware scan from a good anti-spyware software designed to detect Ad-Protect and other types of spyware.
Remove Ad-Protect manually
Another method to remove Ad-Protect is to manually delete Ad-Protect files in your system. Detect and remove the following Ad-Protect files:
Processes
- ad-protect.exe
- adprotect_setup[1].exe
- adprotect_setup.exe
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\Ad-protect.exe
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\uninst.exe
DLLs
- adpiemonitor.dll
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\Plugins\Startupeditor\startupeditor.dll
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\Plugins\Messengercontrol\messengercontrol.dll
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\adpiemonitor.dll
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\adpnospam.dll
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\dbghelp.dll
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\msvcp71.dll
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\msvcr71.dll
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\Plugins\desktopmanager\desktopmanager.dll
Other Files
- Ad-Protect
- Ad-Protect.url
- Ad-Protect v6.3.lnk
- Ad-Protect v6.3 Un-Installer.lnk
- Ad-Protect v6.3 Website.lnk
- %ProgramFiles%\Ad-Protect
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\Ad-protect.url
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\Ad-Protect v6.3 website.lnk
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\Ad-Protect v6.3 un-installer.lnk
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\Ad-Protect v6.3.lnk
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\Plugins\Startupeditor\languages\english.ini
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\Plugins\Startupeditor\languages\spanish.ini
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\config.ini
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\cookies.db
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\registry.db
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\sdebug.log
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\spywareinfo.db
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\tips.txt
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\activex.db
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\Ad-protect.chm
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\blacklist.db
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\filesnames.db
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\hosts.db
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\knownlocations.db
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\logs\adp_activity-07132006-143048.log
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\md5.db
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\languages\english.ini
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\languages\spanish.ini
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\Plugins\messengercontrol\languages\english.ini
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\Plugins\messengercontrol\languages\spanish.ini
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\Plugins\desktopmanager\languages\english.ini
- %Program Files%\Ad-protect\Plugins\desktopmanager\languages\spanish.ini
- %StartMenu%\Ad-Protect v6.3.lnk
- %Desktop%\Ad-Protect v6.3.lnk
- %Profile%\local settings\temp\Adplanguage.ini
- %Profile%\Application Data\Adprotect Nospam\Settings.xml
Registry Keys
- Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins\Ad-Protect.Addin.1
- Ad-Protect.Addin
- Ad-Protect.Addin.1
- Ad-Protect.Server
- Ad-Protect.Server.1
- BBBD3E11-D201-46C9-8471-091D33159287
- EA038DDD-0FE0-41f5-BA60-FC3660529E71
- E23B7464-FAF1-4B5A-8417-B019DA68E62D
- Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\ad-protect.exe
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "Ad-Protect"
- HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{d7abe914-b8cf-4602-9145-6bdaaeda21aa} appid
- HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{F3210E86-46A8-5973-963F-0EF4CF226A0C}
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System "DisableTaskMgr" = 1
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{1f6fe2c2-6040-4645-9053-7f689affe176}
- AdProtect
Known Variants
VirusBurst is a re-branded variant of other well-known rogue anti-spyware programs, including SpywareQuake, SpyFalcon, SpywareStrike, SpySheriff, SpyHeal and many other pseudonyms.
External links
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- Non-profit Malware Process Library - Non-profit website that list most known Spyware Process names.
- How Spyware And The Weapons Against It Are Evolving
- Windows System Update - Latest bug fixes for Microsoft Windows
- Manual Removal Instructions for Ad-Protect - Learn how to remove Ad-Protect.
- McAfee Threat Center - Library of detailed information on viruses.
- Remove Ad-Protect - Easy Ad-Protect removal steps. Parasite database on how to remove spyware and rogue anti-spyware programs.
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