Protectnscan.com ads (virus) - Free Guide
Protectnscan.com ads Removal Guide
What is Protectnscan.com ads?
Protectnscan.com pretends to scan users' systems and pushes them to install bogus antivirus software
Protectnscan.com is a bogus website that promotes legitimate AV
Protectnscan.com is a dubious website that promotes legitimate antivirus software McAfee using deceptive methods. It is clear that the developers of McAfee do not have anything to do with this fraudulent marketing campaign. The website says displays messages that say users' PCs might be infected. Then the page proceeds to pretend it is performing a scan that reveals multiple infections. Users are then encouraged to install the software to eliminate the non-existent threats.
It is unknown what software can be installed from this website. It could be a PUP (potentially unwanted program)[1] that looks exactly like McAfee but is not actually functional or it could even be malware. Recently, there has been a rise in fake antivirus software scams. We have previously written about pages like Antivirus-protection.shop, and Antivirus.safe-web-pc.com.
Some of these pages even look identical, just have different domains. Users should be very careful while surfing the web. Less IT-savvy individuals are especially vulnerable to social engineering techniques[2] used by these pages. Besides, the page can cause annoying pop-ups that say users' systems are infected which could scare many poeple and push them to install the bogus program.
NAME | Protectnscan.com |
TYPE | Push notification spam; adware |
SYMPTOMS | A page promoting antivirus software appears unexpectedly saying that their PC might be in danger |
DISTRIBUTION | Shady websites, deceptive ads, bundled software |
DANGERS | People can get spammed with pop-ups that say their system is infected and install PUPs or malware unknowingly |
ELIMINATION | To disable the pop-ups go to your browser settings; scanning your system with anti-malware tools is recommended |
FURTHER STEPS | Use FortectIntego to repair the damage and optimize the machine |
These kinds of pages often use well-known company names and brands to appear trustworthy. If you see a page promoting popular software and offering it for free or for a very low price, that should ring the alarm bells. Always go to the official website and check if the offer is legitimate.
Distribution methods
Protectnscan.com causes fake virus infection alerts
You should install apps only from official developer websites or official web stores. Websites that open randomly or peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms should be out of the question. You can never know if you are installing legitimate software or adware, spyware, trojans, or even ransomware.
Many people think that viruses are a thing of the past and they do not have to put any effort to keep themselves safe online. There are plenty of pages that use deceptive ads to promote fake products. You should especially stay away from illegal streaming platforms because they are unregulated. Even though Google said it would get rid of fake “Download” and “Play” buttons,[3] they still exist.
The reason you are seeing this page could also be related to adware infection. It is mostly spread on freeware[4] distribution sites so if you have used them recently, you should definitely check it out. In this guide, you will find instructions on how to disable the intrusive push notifications saying your system is infected and how to remove PUPs from your machine.
Block the fake alerts and clean your browsers
To stop annoying virus alerts you have to block the site permissions that allow it to show you push notifications. After removal is complete, we recommend using FortectIntego repair tool to care for your browsers. Almost every website you visit uses cookies[5] to track your browsing activity, like the pages you visit, links you click on, and purchases you make.
If you have pop-ups appearing from questionable sources it most likely means that you were surfing through web pages you should not and clicked on dangerous links. Your browsing data might be exposed or sold to advertising networks that use it to target you with ads even more. But first, you have to stop the pop-up ads from appearing. You can do that by following our step-by-step guide:
Google Chrome (desktop):
- Open Google Chrome browser and go to Menu > Settings.
- Scroll down and click on Advanced.
- Locate the Privacy and security section and pick Site Settings > Notifications.
- Look at the Allow section and look for a suspicious URL.
- Click the three vertical dots next to it and pick Block. This should remove unwanted notifications from Google Chrome.
Google Chrome (Android):
- Open Google Chrome and tap on Settings (three vertical dots).
- Select Notifications.
- Scroll down to Sites section.
- Locate the unwanted URL and toggle the button to the left (Off setting).
Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox and go to Menu > Options.
- Click on Privacy & Security section.
- Under Permissions, you should be able to see Notifications. Click Settings button next to it.
- In the Settings – Notification Permissions window, click on the drop-down menu by the URL in question.
- Select Block and then click on Save Changes. This should remove unwanted notifications from Mozilla Firefox.
Safari:
- Click on Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Websites tab and, under General, select Notifications.
- Select the web address in question, click the drop-down menu and select Deny.
MS Edge:
- Open Microsoft Edge, and click the Settings and more button (three horizontal dots) at the top-right of the window.
- Select Settings and then go to Advanced.
- Under Website permissions, pick Manage permissions and select the URL in question.
- Toggle the switch to the left to turn notifications off on Microsoft Edge.
MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Microsoft Edge, and go to Settings.
- Select Site permissions.
- Go to Notifications on the right.
- Under Allow, you will find the unwanted entry.
- Click on More actions and select Block.
Internet Explorer:
- Open Internet Explorer, and click on the Gear icon at the top-right on the window.
- Select Internet options and go to Privacy tab.
- In the Pop-up Blocker section, click on Settings.
- Locate web address in question under Allowed sites and pick Remove.
Use anti-malware tools to detect adware
If you disabled push notifications but still experience unwanted symptoms like unexpected redirects and an increased amount of commercial content, like pop-ups, and banners you should scan your system for adware. It is mostly spread on freeware distribution sites. They include additional programs in the installers and do not disclose it clearly on their pages.
Many people rush through the process and do not notice the bundled software. If you want to keep the risk of PUAs sneaking into your system to a minimum, follow these steps during the installation:
- Always choose the “Custom” or “Advanced” installation methods
- Read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy to find out how your data will be used, etc.
- Inspect the file list and uncheck the boxes next to unnecessary programs
We suggest using trusted professional security tools SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes that can do this automatically. It should detect most suspicious apps and remove them successfully. Of course, you can also remove a PUP manually, but it is unknown which particular app could be causing annoying behavior, so removing it can be difficult if you do not have experience – you risk deleting the wrong applications.
Manual uninstallation can also leave some traces of the program behind which could result in the renewal of the infection. However, if you still do not want to use security tools and know which program is at fault, use our guide to help you uninstall it:
Windows 10/8:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Mac:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
How to prevent from getting adware
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
- ^ Potentially unwanted program. Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia.
- ^ Social Engineering. Imperva. Learning Center.
- ^ Andy Maxwell. Google Targets Fake ‘Download’ and ‘Play’ Buttons. Torrentfreak. Filesharing News.
- ^ Tim Fisher. What Is Freeware?. Lifewire. Internet, Networking and Security.
- ^ Chris Maus. What Are Cookies and Are They Dangerous?. Qkey. Secure Online Payment Providers.