What is Web Shield?
The Malwarebytes research team has determined that Web Shield is adware. These adware applications display advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing.
How do I know if my computer is affected by Web Shield?
You may see this entry in your list of installed programs:

and these warnings during install:


and this type of information when checking the apps site:

How did Web Shield get on my computer?
Adware applications use different methods for distributing themselves. This particular one was offered as tracking software. It does offer some tracking information, but showed this kinds of advertisements in return.

How do I remove Web Shield?
Our program Malwarebytes Anti-Malware can detect and remove this potentially unwanted program.
- Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to your desktop.
- Double-click mbam-setup-version.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
- At the end, be sure a check-mark is placed next to the following:
- Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium
- Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
- Then click Finish.
- If an update is found, you will be prompted to download and install the latest version.
- Once the program has loaded, select Scan now. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
- When the scan is complete , make sure that everything is set to "Quarantine", and click Apply Actions.
- Reboot your computer if prompted.
- No, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware removes Web Shield completely.
We hope our application and this guide have helped you eradicate this hijacker.
As you can see below the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware would have protected you against the Web Shield adware. It would have warned you before the application could install itself, giving you a chance to stop it before it became too late.
Technical details for experts
You will see this sign in a HijackThis log:
O23 - Service: WebShield - Irrational Number Applications - C:\ProgramData\WebShield\WebShieldService.exeYou may see these signs in FRST logs:
(Irrational Number Applications) C:\ProgramData\WebShield\WebShieldService.exe R2 WebShield; C:\ProgramData\WebShield\WebShieldService.exe [2732024 2015-08-04] (Irrational Number Applications) C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\WebShield C:\ProgramData\WebShield Web Shield (HKLM-x32\...\WebShield) (Version: 2.7.72 - Irrational Number Applications)Alterations made by the installer:
File system details [View: All details] (Selection) --------------------------------------------------- Adds the folder C:\ProgramData\WebShield Adds the file app.dat"="04/08/2015 12:53, 753962 bytes, A Adds the file data.dat"="04/08/2015 12:53, 2048 bytes, A Adds the file info.dat"="04/08/2015 12:53, 80 bytes, A Adds the file Uninstall.exe"="03/08/2015 03:41, 537592 bytes, A Adds the file WebShield.dll"="04/08/2015 12:53, 1240568 bytes, A Adds the file WebShield.exe"="04/08/2015 12:53, 48120 bytes, A Adds the file WebShield.exe.config"="04/08/2015 12:53, 190 bytes, A Adds the file WebShield.ico"="14/10/2013 05:02, 109092 bytes, A Adds the file WebShieldService.exe"="04/08/2015 12:53, 2732024 bytes, A Adds the file WebShieldService.exe.config"="04/08/2015 12:53, 288 bytes, A Adds the folder C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\WebShield Adds the file data2.dat"="04/08/2015 12:53, 3072 bytes, A Registry details [View: All details] (Selection) ------------------------------------------------ [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{051E9166-B275-4683-907B-372FAE22BC7C}] "ad"="REG_SZ", "webshieldonline.com" "id"="REG_SZ", "ab616290787a408885fb63e8311533e9" "ip"="REG_SZ", "231901" "ns"="REG_SZ", "WEBS" "p"="REG_SZ", "231901" "v"="REG_SZ", "2.7.72" "vp"="REG_SZ", "2.7.72231901" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{9C4EFBD5-1ADF-41E6-BE26-AF44326E30E4}] "(Default)"="REG_DWORD", 1 "v"="REG_DWORD", 1 "vs"="REG_SZ", "1" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{E5A7A645-8318-4895-B85C-EDC606B80DB6}] "id"="REG_SZ", "ab616290787a408885fb63e8311533e9" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{051E9166-B275-4683-907B-372FAE22BC7C}] "ad"="REG_SZ", "webshieldonline.com" "id"="REG_SZ", "ab616290787a408885fb63e8311533e9" "ip"="REG_SZ", "231901" "ns"="REG_SZ", "WEBS" "p"="REG_SZ", "231901" "v"="REG_SZ", "2.7.72" "vp"="REG_SZ", "2.7.72231901" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{351a01b5-849a-eca5-2760-ee9665e223c3}] "ik"="REG_SZ", "{6b1e8260-ca3a-c0d4-f9ee-eebccb5ae3b9}" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{593d67b9-3a50-ebaa-17be-61a5ec986a22}] "id"="REG_SZ", "ab616290787a408885fb63e8311533e9" "lpvcc"="REG_SZ", "2.7.72" "p"="REG_SZ", "231901" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{9C4EFBD5-1ADF-41E6-BE26-AF44326E30E4}] "(Default)"="REG_DWORD", 1 "v"="REG_DWORD", 1 "vs"="REG_SZ", "1" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{E5A7A645-8318-4895-B85C-EDC606B80DB6}] "id"="REG_SZ", "ab616290787a408885fb63e8311533e9" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\WebShieldService_RASAPI32] "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536 "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0 "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0 "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing" "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536 "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\WebShieldService_RASMANCS] "ConsoleTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536 "EnableConsoleTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0 "EnableFileTracing"="REG_DWORD", 0 "FileDirectory"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, "%windir%\tracing" "FileTracingMask"="REG_DWORD", -65536 "MaxFileSize"="REG_DWORD", 1048576 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\WebShield] "DisplayIcon"="REG_SZ", "C:\ProgramData\WebShield\WebShield.ico" "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "Web Shield" "DisplayVersion"="REG_SZ", "2.7.72" "EstimatedSize"="REG_DWORD", 4065 "HelpLink"="REG_SZ", "http://www.webshieldonline.com/about.html" "InstallDate"="REG_SZ", "20150804" "Publisher"="REG_SZ", "Irrational Number Applications" "UninstallString"="REG_SZ", "C:\ProgramData\WebShield\uninstall.exe /kb=y /ic=1" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\WebShield] "DependOnService"="REG_MULTI_SZ, "Winmgmt CryptSvc " "DisplayName"="REG_SZ", "WebShield" "ErrorControl"="REG_DWORD", 1 "FailureActions"="REG_BINARY, <..................... "ImagePath"="REG_EXPAND_SZ, ""C:\ProgramData\WebShield\WebShieldService.exe"" "ObjectName"="REG_SZ", "LocalSystem" "Start"="REG_DWORD", 2 "Type"="REG_DWORD", 16 "WOW64"="REG_DWORD", 1 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\AppDataLow\Software\DynConIE] "id"="REG_SZ", "ab616290787a408885fb63e8311533e9" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{9C4EFBD5-1ADF-41E6-BE26-AF44326E30E4}] "(Default)"="REG_DWORD", 1 "v"="REG_DWORD", 1 "vs"="REG_SZ", "1" [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{9C4EFBD5-1ADF-41E6-BE26-AF44326E30E4}] "(Default)"="REG_DWORD", 1 "v"="REG_DWORD", 1 "vs"="REG_SZ", "1"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware www.malwarebytes.org Scan Date: 04/08/2015 Scan Time: 13:12 Logfile: mbamWebShield.txt Administrator: Yes Version: 2.1.8.1057 Malware Database: v2015.08.04.02 Rootkit Database: v2015.08.03.01 License: Premium Malware Protection: Disabled Malicious Website Protection: Enabled Self-protection: Disabled OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 CPU: x64 File System: NTFS User: {username} Scan Type: Threat Scan Result: Completed Objects Scanned: 329055 Time Elapsed: 4 min, 11 sec Memory: Enabled Startup: Enabled Filesystem: Enabled Archives: Enabled Rootkits: Enabled Heuristics: Enabled PUP: Enabled PUM: Enabled Processes: 3 PUP.Optional.WebShield.A, C:\ProgramData\WebShield\WebShieldService.exe, 1076, Delete-on-Reboot, [9939dc28f69512245af087c3f110a55b] PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.Gen, C:\ProgramData\Irhiijliu\1.0.4.1\hovserle.exe, 3524, Delete-on-Reboot, [06cc8381a7e40c2a823edec80afa8080] PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.Gen, C:\ProgramData\Irhiijliu\1.0.4.1\hovserle.exe, 3144, Delete-on-Reboot, [06cc8381a7e40c2a823edec80afa8080] Modules: 1 PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.Gen, C:\ProgramData\Irhiijliu\1.0.4.1\sqlite3.dll, Delete-on-Reboot, [06cc8381a7e40c2a823edec80afa8080], Registry Keys: 9 PUP.Optional.WebShield.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\WebShield, Quarantined, [9939dc28f69512245af087c3f110a55b], PUP.Optional.WebSteroids.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{051E9166-B275-4683-907B-372FAE22BC7C}, Quarantined, [8a48e123f39863d33e41187c30d28080], PUP.Optional.WebSteroids.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\CLSID\{051E9166-B275-4683-907B-372FAE22BC7C}, Quarantined, [8a48e123f39863d33e41187c30d28080], PUP.Optional.WebSteroids.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\CLSID\{051E9166-B275-4683-907B-372FAE22BC7C}, Quarantined, [8a48e123f39863d33e41187c30d28080], PUP.Optional.DynConIE.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID\{E5A7A645-8318-4895-B85C-EDC606B80DB6}, Quarantined, [ebe7b4508cff35013c218410fb07e719], PUP.Optional.DynConIE.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\CLASSES\CLSID\{E5A7A645-8318-4895-B85C-EDC606B80DB6}, Quarantined, [ebe7b4508cff35013c218410fb07e719], PUP.Optional.DynConIE.A, HKLM\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\WOW6432NODE\CLSID\{E5A7A645-8318-4895-B85C-EDC606B80DB6}, Quarantined, [ebe7b4508cff35013c218410fb07e719], PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.C, HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432NODE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\UNINSTALL\WebShield, Quarantined, [765c947093f8a19536d6c5b6ef1611ef], PUP.Optional.MultiIE.A, HKCU\SOFTWARE\APPDATALOW\SOFTWARE\DynConIE, Quarantined, [26ac8084e7a4d264b81290f9fe066b95], Registry Values: 1 PUP.Optional.WebShield.A, HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\SERVICES\WEBSHIELD|ImagePath, "C:\ProgramData\WebShield\WebShieldService.exe", Quarantined, [cc0636ce6724d0663069ba8aec1757a9] Registry Data: 0 (No malicious items detected) Folders: 4 PUP.Optional.WebShield.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\WebShield, Quarantined, [b919db29701b82b4019b192b43c02fd1], PUP.Optional.WebShield.A, C:\ProgramData\WebShield, Delete-on-Reboot, [b220b54f9bf00630d9c404401be8ce32], PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.Gen, C:\ProgramData\Irhiijliu\1.0.4.1, Delete-on-Reboot, [06cc8381a7e40c2a823edec80afa8080], PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.Gen, C:\ProgramData\Irhiijliu, Delete-on-Reboot, [06cc8381a7e40c2a823edec80afa8080], Files: 17 PUP.Optional.WebShield.A, C:\ProgramData\WebShield\WebShieldService.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [9939dc28f69512245af087c3f110a55b], PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.C, C:\ProgramData\WebShield\Uninstall.exe, Quarantined, [765c947093f8a19536d6c5b6ef1611ef], PUP.Optional.ZombieInvasion.A, C:\ProgramData\WebShield\WebShield.dll, Quarantined, [9e3435cf3f4cd95d1bc767be24e110f0], PUP.Optional.WebShield.A, C:\ProgramData\WebShield\WebShield.exe, Quarantined, [ebe77391018a7bbb6edcb8927d846898], PUP.Optional.WebShield.A, C:\Users\{username}\Desktop\setup.exe, Quarantined, [04ced62eaedd7bbbc181ada4ce323ec2], PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.C, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\Temp\nsfEB3E.tmp\Helper.dll, Quarantined, [e3efc0447b1064d227e5ccafeb1a57a9], PUP.Optional.WebShield.A, C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\WebShield\data2.dat, Quarantined, [b919db29701b82b4019b192b43c02fd1], PUP.Optional.WebShield.A, C:\ProgramData\WebShield\app.dat, Quarantined, [b220b54f9bf00630d9c404401be8ce32], PUP.Optional.WebShield.A, C:\ProgramData\WebShield\data.dat, Quarantined, [b220b54f9bf00630d9c404401be8ce32], PUP.Optional.WebShield.A, C:\ProgramData\WebShield\info.dat, Delete-on-Reboot, [b220b54f9bf00630d9c404401be8ce32], PUP.Optional.WebShield.A, C:\ProgramData\WebShield\WebShield.exe.config, Quarantined, [b220b54f9bf00630d9c404401be8ce32], PUP.Optional.WebShield.A, C:\ProgramData\WebShield\WebShield.ico, Quarantined, [b220b54f9bf00630d9c404401be8ce32], PUP.Optional.WebShield.A, C:\ProgramData\WebShield\WebShieldService.exe.config, Quarantined, [b220b54f9bf00630d9c404401be8ce32], PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.Gen, C:\ProgramData\Irhiijliu\1.0.4.1\hovserle.exe.config, Quarantined, [06cc8381a7e40c2a823edec80afa8080], PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.Gen, C:\ProgramData\Irhiijliu\1.0.4.1\hovserle.exe, Delete-on-Reboot, [06cc8381a7e40c2a823edec80afa8080], PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.Gen, C:\ProgramData\Irhiijliu\1.0.4.1\sqlite3.dll, Delete-on-Reboot, [06cc8381a7e40c2a823edec80afa8080], PUP.Optional.PullUpdate.Gen, C:\ProgramData\Irhiijliu\dat.dat, Quarantined, [06cc8381a7e40c2a823edec80afa8080], Physical Sectors: 0 (No malicious items detected) (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