Remove Protectionapps.live (Removal Instructions)

Protectionapps.live falls for browser hijacker category due to aggressive takeover of the Google Chrome's settings

Protectionapps.live browser hijacker

Protectionapps.live virus is a term used to refer to a browser hijacker and potentially unwanted application (PUA) that supposedly aims at optimizing web searching experience. However, it's yet another tool managed by an unspecified New York-based company that owns Theappsparty.net and Myappsclub.net hijackers. From the initial inspection, the search site does not raise suspicions as it contains a user-friendly interface (search bar, private search on/off button, background changer, and search by category options). However, cybersecurity experts condemned it for misleading behavior, intrusive online traffic alterations, delivery of click-bait ads, and lack of user's choice to control setting preferences. If this PUP gets installed, it replaces Google Chrome's settings so that Search.protectionapps.live becomes a default search engine and the Search emerges as a default start page.

Although such and similar browser-based tools can hardly be called dangerous, they initiate potentially dangerous activities and, therefore, we highly recommend people to remove Protectionapps.live from the system without a delay. Otherwise, the browser hijacker may start loading tons of commercial content in forms like pop-ups or hyperlinks. Besides, it may generate sponsored Yahoo-based^[1] search results that may contain unreliable links in priority.

Name	Protectionapps.live
Type	Browser hijacker / Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA)
Distribution	The technique used to spread it is known as Bundling. In other words, this hijacker relies on freeware and shareware that carry it in the form of an additional installer
Symptoms	The goal of the PUA – earn profit from affiliate marketing. For that, it replaces the start page, search engine, new tab window, and focuses on redirecting users to sponsored websites. Yahoo-based search results can also generate loads of commercial ads
Danger	All PUAs used by advertisers are considered dangerous due to tracking possibilities, misleading commercial content, push notifications, and promotion or malware
Removal methods	Protectionapps.live removal requires the anti-malware program no matter that it is not as malicious as a virus. However, it is closely related to other PUPs and may have tens of supportive files that can only be detected automatically.
Fix malware damage	Those who suffered PUA attack and managed to get rid of the head program are strongly recommended to scan the machine with Fortect Intego or a similar utility to fix the damage that malware might have caused

Protectionapps.live is a rogue search engine that can reroute visitors to affiliated websites by displaying intriguing commercial online content or positioning sponsored links among your search results in the initial positions. If you have already noticed suchlike behavior within Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, or any other web browser that you are used to using, double-check the list of recently installed apps as you most probably been tricked into installing a software bundle.

You should remove Protectionapps.live virus from the system as soon as you notice the following symptoms:

replaced search engine, new tab, and search provider;
sponsored Yahoo search results are delivered been if you search using Google;
random websites are covered with commercial content;
questionable processes can be recognized in Task Manager using too much CPU;
Protectionapps.live extension cannot be disabled or is absent from the extensions list on the web browser, etc.

At the moment of writing, this dubious search engine is not recognized as potentially dangerous by the AV engines. It means that you will neither be warned when the Protectionapps.live malware attempts to hijack your web browser, nor when it is installed and initiates suspicious activities.

However, people have to be cautious and do not fall for Protectionapps.live redirects as you can never know if this program cooperates with reliable third parties or shady companies that seek to spread malware or boots traffic of websites that contain potentially dangerous or useless content. As pointed out in the Terms of Use^[2] of the app, its developers do not carry responsibility for the third-party websites that it is programmed to promote:

The Site may contain links to third parties' websites. The links are included for users/members convenience only. The site does not monitor such websites and/or assumes no liability whatsoever for the content or opinions expressed on those websites. Users/members access and use any linked website at their own risk.

Therefore, it is not advisable to search the web while this intruder is on the system. Protectionapps.live virus may display links to potentially dangerous sites, such as phishing websites, rogue online surveys, malware download sites, etc. However, even though you click on them accidentally, visiting rogue websites and, for example, getting infected with malware, will be considered as your own fault.

Last, but not least, if you are concerned about your privacy, remove protectionapps.live search from your web browser immediately. It renders tracking cookies for harvesting browser-based information, including your IP address, browser type, the Internet service provider (ISP), cookie information, and the webpage that you are visiting. Such entries are important for advertisers so that they could provide people with more appealing ads. Thus, after disclosing your browsing history to this dubious search, you may expect a flow of individualized pop-ups and banners whenever you go.

Protectionapps.live virus

The simplest way to get rid of Search.protectionapps.live browser hijacker is a full scan with SpyHunter Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes Malwarebytes, or similar automatic malware removal tool. Automated tools will ensure smooth malware decontamination and elimination of the unwanted software bundle.

Besides, security experts from NoVirus.uk^[3] claim that it's very important to have a reliable repair tool that would be capable of fixing the damage that the malware, PUA, or virus tend to initiate on the host machine. We recommend using Fortect Intego for restoring the Registries, apps, files, and processes.

The reason why people get caught on malware hook frequently

People install freeware recklessly. That's the main reason why so many potentially unwanted programs manage to reach end-users. We keep warning netizens that third-party download websites are monetizing their free services by using bundling. Freeware distributors fill their products with additional add-ons, extensions, or plug-ins as pre-selected components and disguise them under Express or Basic installation setup.

As a consequence, if the user does not opt for an Advanced setup, which discloses all windows of the installation wizard, unwanted browser-based programs get installed by default. To prevent this from happening, pick out the extended installation process of freeware and remove checkmarks saying that you agree with the changes of a web browser.

Besides, having a reliable anti-virus program that is capable of detecting and blocking malware, disabling malicious ads, and preventing dangerous redirects is yet another precautionary measure that should be minded. The unprotected system is vulnerable to various cyber threats, so don't leave it open to malware.

Protectionapps.live hijack

Easy protectionapps.live virus removal guide

Protectionapps.live removal is a process that has to be initiated in certain stages. This PUP is usually installed in a company with other unwanted programs and may be actively promoting apps of its affiliates. Besides, it installs settles down within web browsers as an extension, search engine, and new tab, which is why web browser requires maintenance as well.

This is why we recommend people to remove protectionapps.live virus using an automatic tool designed to fight against such and similar malware. Automatic removal with utilities like SpyHunter Combo Cleaner will ensure a full cleaning of the machine. Nevertheless, manual removal of this dubious search is also possible, except that the process requires restarting the system into Safe Mode and eliminating each suspicious entry separately.

Upon protectionapps.live removal, do not forget to reset your web browser's settings^[4]. Otherwise, an extension may keep initiating browser's redirections to potentially dangerous domains. Besides, restore the damage that your machine might have been suffering with Fortect Intego repair software.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

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

Remove the unwanted program:

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

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

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

Delete leftover files and folders:

Select Go > Go to Folder.
Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.
Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

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

Change your homepage if it was altered:

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

Delete temporary files:

Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
Under Browsing history, click Delete...
Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:

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

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

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

Clear cookies and other browser data:

Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
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.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

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

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
Select Details tab.
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.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:

Click on Menu and go to Settings.
Select Privacy, search and services.
Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
Under Time range, pick All time.
Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

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

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Reset the homepage:

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

Clear cookies and site data:

Click Menu and pick Settings.
Go to Privacy & Security section.
Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
Click on Clear Data...
Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox

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

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

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

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

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

Click on Menu and pick Settings.
Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:

Click menu and choose Settings.
Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
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:

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

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Clear history and website data:

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

Reset Safari:

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

How to remove Protectionapps.live

Protectionapps.live falls for browser hijacker category due to aggressive takeover of the Google Chrome's settings

The reason why people get caught on malware hook frequently