Protectnscan.com ads: what it is and how to remove it

From our report of Dec 2021 · not reviewed since

Protectnscan.com pretends to scan users' systems and pushes them to install bogus antivirus software

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. 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 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.

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.

From our report of Dec 2021 · not reviewed since

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.

Almost every website you visit uses cookies 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):

Google Chrome (Android):

MS Edge (Chromium):

• Open Google Chrome browser and go to Menu > Settings.
• 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.
• Open Google Chrome and tap on Settings (three vertical dots).
• Select Notifications.
• Locate the unwanted URL and toggle the button to the left (Off setting).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

From our report of Dec 2021 · not reviewed since

Use anti-malware tools to detect 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:

We suggest using trusted professional security tools or 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:

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

• 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
• 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.
• 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.
• 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)
• 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.

From our report of Dec 2021 · not reviewed since

More from our earlier report on Protectnscan.com

• 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.
• It could be a PUP (potentially unwanted program) that looks exactly like McAfee but is not actually functional or it could even be malware.
• To disable the pop-ups go to your browser settings; scanning your system with anti-malware tools is recommended

From our report of Dec 2021 · not reviewed since

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, they still exist.

The reason you are seeing this page could also be related to adware infection. It is mostly spread on freeware 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.