ProtectDefender is another malicious security application that came from the Wini family of rogue software. Same as other variants, ProtectDefender is Trojan-based and installed on the system without users full knowledge. On some instances, users will be redirected to a fake computer security websites where a virus scan will be exhibited and number of threats detected, later on it will asked user to download and install ProtectDefender to get rid of these risks. These methods are evenly used by rogue security program to induce users to obtain the registered version. Thus, it will bring profit to the developer of the said fraudulent application.
Keep in mind that rogue programs were solely created to deceive users and aims to gain profit from this illegal cyber activities. ProtectDefender must be removed instantly from computers by utilizing only legit anti-virus applications.
What are the Symptoms of ProtectDefender Infection?
At any costs, ProtectDefende will attempt to mislead users including fake computer scan results.
It will modify Windows Registry and add the following entries:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ProtectDefender
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run “ProtectDefender”
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ProtectDefender
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Uninstall\ProtectDefender
Protect Defender threat will drop the following malicious files:
- %UserProfile%\Desktop\ProtectDefender.lnk
- %UserProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\ProtectDefender.lnk
- c:\Program Files\ProtectDefender Software
- c:\Program Files\ProtectDefender Software\ProtectDefender
- c:\Program Files\ProtectDefender Software\ProtectDefender\ProtectDefender.exe
- c:\Program Files\ProtectDefender Software\ProtectDefender\Uninstall.exe
- c:\WINDOWS\12154zacktool378.dll
- c:\WINDOWS\1219zwo5m925.ocx
- c:\WINDOWS\12740haczt58l3e7.bin
- c:\WINDOWS\system32\3518downlo5dez21003.bin
- c:\WINDOWS\system32\3501zbackdoor2832.bin
- c:\WINDOWS\system32\3499zir5s5gt.ocx
How to Remove ProtectDefender Manually
1. Restart your computer in SafeMode
– After Power-On the computer, just before Windows start, press F8
– From the selections, Select SafeMode
2. Remove Registry entries that the threat added. You MUST BACKUP YOUR REGISTRY FIRST.
– Click Start > Run
– Type in the field, regedit
– Navigate and look for the registry entries mentioned above and delete if necessary
3. Delete malicious files that the threat added:
– Base on the given location above, browse and delete the file
– If no location is given, click Start>Search> and search for the files.
– If cannot be deleted, press Ctrl+Alt+Del to access Task Manager, see if the file is running in the process. If it is, select the file and click End Process. Perform file delete again.
4. Scan computer with Antivirus Program
– Update antivirus program
– Scan computer and delete all detected threats.
How to Easily Remove Protect Defender
1. Download and run Removal Tool to remove Protect Defender
