What is ProtectPC?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that ProtectPC is a fake anti-malware application. These so-called "rogues" use intentional false positives to convince users that their systems have been compromised. Then they try to sell you their software, claiming it will remove these threats. In extreme cases the false threats are actually the very trojans that advertise or even directly install the rogue. You are strongly advised to follow our removal instructions below.
How do I know if I am infected with ProtectPC?
This is how the main screen of the rogue application looks:
You will find these icons on your desktop and in your taskbar:
And see this type of warnings:
How did ProtectPC get on my computer?
Rogue programs use different methods for spreading themselves. This particular one was downloaded from their site.
How do I remove ProtectPC?
Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this rogue application.
- Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
- Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
- At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
- Update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
- Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
- Then click Finish.
- If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
- Once the program has loaded, select Perform quick scan, then click Scan.
- When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
- Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected. Reboot your computer if prompted.
- When completed, a log will open in Notepad. The rogue application should now be gone.
Is there anything else I need to do to get rid of ProtectPC?
- The shortcut called ������ƮPC on the desktop can be deleted if it belonged to the rogue. If you are unsure, compare the icon to the one above.
How would the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware help protect me?
We hope our application has helped you eradicate this malicious software. If your current security solution let this infection through, you might please consider purchasing the FULL version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for additional protection.
As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the ProtectPC rogue. It would have warned you before the rogue could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.
Signs in a HijackThis log:
C:\Program Files\protectpc\ProtectPC.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ProtectPC] "C:\Program Files\protectpc\protectpcuc.exe" /run
Alterations made by the installer:
File System =============== In the existing folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop Adds the file ������ƮPC.lnk"="11:08 27/05/12 722 bytes Adds the folder C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Start Menu\Programs\������ƮPC Adds the file ������ƮPC.lnk"="11:08 27/05/12 736 bytes Adds the folder C:\Program Files\protectpc Adds the file uninstall.exe"="17:19 10/09/10 58024 bytes Adds the file protectpcuc.exe"="10:07 27/12/10 172032 bytes Adds the file protectpc.exe"="14:20 26/11/10 651840 bytes Adds the file License.txt"="18:11 02/03/10 15427 bytes Registry =============== [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\protectpc\data] "p"="'2bn3e1f1b0d7a1b513ed9835d'" "ver3"="'0'" "ver2"="'0'" "ver"="'1001'" "addresses"="'08002731d07c_'" "ProgramFolder"="'C:\Program Files\protectpc'" "subv"="'a1'" "counterv"="'a'" "counterurl"="'^EO-`AlsI0a0av2t`j6-WTK-`DJrV/5r^0Fs`EGmajCgbP6g_0SraDSvIk?l`>::'" "uniq"="'B0E961E5-70FF-481d-997D-DE43E273D82F'" "pid"="'index5'" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\protectpc\data\VersionInfo] "VersionDWORD"="16805888" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\privacy] "check"="'y'" "iv"="'protectpc'" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] "ProtectPC"="'"C:\Program Files\protectpc\protectpcuc.exe" /run'" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\protectpc] "UninstallString"="'C:\Program Files\protectpc\uninstall.exe'" "DisplayName"="'ProtectPC'"
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.61.0.1400 www.malwarebytes.org Database version: v2012.05.27.02 Windows XP Service Pack 3 x86 NTFS Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702 {username} :: MBAM-D3E8C91ACC [administrator] 5/27/2012 11:13:32 AM mbam-log-2012-05-27 (11-13-32).txt Scan type: Quick scan Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM Scan options disabled: P2P Objects scanned: 173600 Time elapsed: 40 second(s) Memory Processes Detected: 1 C:\Program Files\protectpc\protectpc.exe (Rogue.ProtectPC) -> 2032 -> Delete on reboot. Memory Modules Detected: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Keys Detected: 0 (No malicious items detected) Registry Values Detected: 1 HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run|ProtectPC (Adware.Hotclip) -> Data: "C:\Program Files\protectpc\protectpcuc.exe" /run -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. Registry Data Items Detected: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folders Detected: 0 (No malicious items detected) Files Detected: 3 C:\Program Files\protectpc\protectpc.exe (Rogue.ProtectPC) -> Delete on reboot. C:\Program Files\protectpc\protectpcuc.exe (Adware.Hotclip) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop\installcheck_index5.exe (Rogue.ProtectPC) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully. (end)
As mentioned before the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware could have protected your computer against this threat.
We use different ways of protecting your computer(s):
- Dynamically Blocks Malware Sites & Servers
- Malware Execution Prevention