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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Adware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Jul 2020

How to remove Pctupd.info

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Lucia Danes · Virus researcher

Pctupd.info is a fake domain that may be triggered by a potentially unwanted program like Popcorn Time

Pctupd.info malware

Pctupd.info is a rogue web domain that may keep being reopened randomly on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, IE, Microsoft Edge, and other browsers. Continuous redirects to this site mean that a potentially unwanted program (PUP) is running in the background of the system. In fact, this domain is often associated with the well-known Popcorn Time app or a clone app known as Time4popcorn. Both movie streaming websites can be accessed on the web, though alternatively, people can download a desktop application.

While it has been rather popular, the site Popcorn Time has been down since 2014 (except for some sister sites). Nevertheless, the app is currently trying to make a comeback[1]. This comeback may be the trigger of the unknown domains reoccurring during web browsing. According to users who have used to use this steaming site or app, they started experiencing intrusive redirects to the related websites, such as : 

  • Ppctupd.info
  • pct-upd.info
  • upd-pct.info
  • updpct.info
  • updpopcorntime.xyz
  • popcorntime-update.xy

All these domains are directly related to the Popcorntime website and point to the following location C:\ Program Files (x86)\Popcorn Time\Updater.exe. Therefore, to stop seeing intrusive Ppctupd.info ads during a web browser, you should remove this movie streaming application completely. 

Name Pctupd.info
Type Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP), adware
Related program Popcorn Time
Other Updater.exe file located in the Popcorn Times folder is likely to be the culprit of the Pctupd.info redirects
Symptoms The web browser keeps rerouting the traffic to the pctupd domain, which either asks to enable push notifications or asks to download some system updates. In addition, you may receive various popups while web browsing. 
Removal  The popups and redirects will be disabled as soon as a full malware removal will be initiated. For this purpose, we recommend using a professional anti-malware program
System repair  It often happens that applications are not properly removed from the system. In other words, the main uninstaller is run, which does not delete related files and folders, except the main app. For this purpose, related registry entries and files in the Temp folder are left. To get rid of such secondary entries, scan the system with FortectIntego

In many cases, the Pctupd.info domain is reported by reputable AV tools for being infected with Trojan. At the moment of writing, the domain cannot be accessed manually bu entering the URL into the address bar, so it's clear that the domain is misused by third-parties for various reasons, including the dissemination of spyware or trojans. 

If the Pctupd.info virus shows up on the AV scan log as a dangerous domain, it's very likely that it is included in malicious activities and, therefore, deserves the classification. Nevertheless, we strongly recommend scanning the machine with a professional anti-malware program to make sure that the Pctupd.infois not a false positive detection[2]. 

An alert about Pctupd.info trojan detection is usually guiding to one of these locations:

/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/PT.updd (Mac)
C:\ Program Files (x86)\Popcorn Time\Updater.exe (Windows)

However, the trigger may slightly differ depending on the Popcorn Time variant that is installed on the machine. To stop the AV program from detecting suspicious entries and getting rid of Pctupd.info redirects during the web browsing, you should delete the malware from the system without a delay. You can find a full removal tutorial provided down below. It explains how to delete the malware both manually and automatically from Mac and Windows machines. 

Cybersecurity experts from Dieviren.de[3] warn that the Pctupd.info pop-up virus may be used for various purposes. It may try to download the Time4Popcorn or Popcorn Time updates. Alternatively, it may also be involved in malware distribution, so by clicking on the misleading content positioned on this domain you may end up with apps like DNS Unlocker, UpdateAdmin, Playthru Player, Tiny Media Player, and similar. 

Pctupd.info AV detection

In the worst-case scenario, this site may be involved in virus distribution. In case hackers are managing it, the site may contain malicious scripts that launch malicious applications once the malicious link or advertisement is opened. That may be the reason why AV program may deliver a warning saying “Website blocked due to Trojan.”

Anyway, if you aim to protect your machine from malicious entries and ensure the security of the private information, then we strongly recommend you to remove Pctupd.info related malware. For that, use a robust anti-malware tool and then run a scan with FortectIntego utility to possibly get rid of malware remnants and fix Windows registry errors. 

Unwanted software can infiltrate PCs after installing freeware recklessly

According to cybersecurity researchers, potentially unwanted programs, such as adware or browser hijackers, are spread bundled with freeware and shareware as “optional downloads.” They can be disclosed in various ways, i.e. explicitly outlining the performance of the application, it's capabilities of track browsing activities, display ads, or hijack browser's settings. However, they can be completely disguised and represented in a vague manner, i.e. without any explanation on what is it going to improve or how does it going to work. 

Anyway, the information about additional installers tends to be disguised under Quick or Recommended installation options, thus increasing the number of downloads. Clicking the Next button all the time automatically gives permission to install the entire freeware package, including unwanted adware or hijacker. 

Therefore, every time you download an application from third-party sources like Cnet or Softonic, opt for Advanced or Custom installation techniques to unbundled the package. carefully read the provided information on every window and remove the checkmarks next to the pre-selected items. 

Pctupd.info popups

Delete Pctupd.info virus using the automatic/manual removal guidelines

If you suspect that a potentially unwanted application may be running in the background of your machine because Pctupd.info popup ads keep showing up when browsing, decide which elimination method you prefer and perform the required steps without a delay. 

Manual Pctupd.info removal is possible. For that, you have to recognize which application is the culprit (Time4Popcorn or Popcorn Time most probably), disable related processes, and then eliminate the unwanted application from the Applications folder. 

Since sometimes these phases are disrupted and it becomes impossible to remove the Pctupd.info virus manually as it is managed by rather aggressive processes, a scan with a reliable anti-malware in the Safe Mode can be the only reliable solution.  

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

  1. Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.Reset Internet Explorer

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari

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