GreatDefender is a fake application that pretend as a needed software or virus removal tool. To scam computer users, GreatDefender will display fake alerts on its own website that advise visitors to download and install a copy of this program. When installed on the system, GreatDefender will perform similar functionalities to its earlier version such as APCProtect, ProtectPCs, and MalwareDefense. These includes a display of excessive pop-up alerts and taskbar warning messages that when clicked will redirect to a GreatDefender payment website.
You must be aware and refuse to buy this program. To remove all known threats from a computer including this rogue Great Defender, a legit anti-malware or anti-adware application must be used. With this method, you can assure that GreatDefender and all of its malicious component are deleted.
What are the Symptoms of GreatDefender Infection?
It will modify Windows Registry and add the following entries:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\GreatDefender
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Uninstall\GreatDefender
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\GreatDefender
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Run “GreatDefender.exe”
Great Defender threat will drop the following malicious files:
- %Program Files%\GreatDefender Software\GreatDefender
- %Program Files%\GreatDefender Software\GreatDefender\GreatDefender.exe
- %Program Files%\GreatDefender Software\GreatDefender\uninstall.exe
- %Program Files%\GreatDefender Software
- %Documents and Settings%\All Users\Desktop\GreatDefender.lnk
- %Documents and Settings%\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\GreatDefender
- %Documents and Settings%\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\GreatDefender\1 GreatDefender.lnk
- %Documents and Settings%\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\GreatDefender\2 Homepage.lnk
- %Documents and Settings%\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\GreatDefender\3 Uninstall.lnk
How to Remove GreatDefender 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 GreatDefender
1. Download and run Removal Tool to remove GreatDefender
