Prupdater (virus) - 2021 update
Prupdater Removal Guide
What is Prupdater?
Prupdater is the unwanted application that runs various processes in the background
Prupdater is an adware that starts running whenever you turn on your Windows computer system[1]. Also known as Prime Updater, this application performs its annoying activity once it dropsprime_updater.exe and similar executable files on the system, which you can find in Task Manager. These activities can interfere with normal work on the machine because of resources usage or different background processes.
However, you can recognize the Prupdater virus on your computer not only from this process. Once inside, it causes numerous ads redirecting victims to unknown pages because its main aim is to trick users into purchasing specific tools, which are also considered potentially unwanted programs.
| Name | Prupdater |
|---|---|
| Alternative names | Pr Updater; Prime Updater |
| Type | PUP |
| OS affected | Windows |
| Activates when | The user starts his/her Windows computer, and the main process prime_updater.exe is launched |
| Infiltration | Software bundles, rogue websites |
| Annoying features | Frequent advertising that promotes rogue tools redirects to dubious websites |
| Prevention tips | Use the Custom/Advanced installation mode, get a reliable antivirus tool, stay away from questionable websites |
| Removal | Get rid of the app with no hesitation. Moreover, you can detect the damage with an anti-malware tool |
| Repair | The system should be restored with tools like ReimageIntego that find and fix issues related to virus damage |
Once installed, the adware[2] alters the system to start producing numerous ads, which are very likely to appear in the form of pop-ups and banners. These ads are set to convince users into purchasing useless products or services, so make sure you ignore them. Besides, by opting for such offers, you can also provide your financial or personal data, which can be used for identity theft.
Yet another feature of Prupdater is data collection which is typically initiated behind the user's back. This type of adware cannot only gather browsing activity-related data but can also connect to personal information saved on your system. Such information relates to:
- pages visited;
- searched content;
- pictures and videos viewed;
- savings;
- IP addresses;
- and more.
Avoid this illegal activity by performing the Prupdater removal. You can choose to proceed with the process in two ways – the manual or the automatic one. You can find manual elimination instructions below this article. However, the other method is much faster and effective. Additionally, you can install ReimageIntego to detect all “leftovers” that the adware might hide.
There is more than one reason to remove the intrusive virus. This PUP can also take you to harmful websites. Even if the redirecting activity might seem not damaging at first, you might be brought to malicious pages related to secret installation even of a Trojan horse[3]. So, be careful with these programs, and even better, get rid of adware as soon as you spot it!
Pay attention to particular preferences on the web browser
Adware has more than one distribution technique. Most commonly, these programs spread with the help of bundling, when the PUP is downloaded together with regular software, or through rogue websites. Gladly, some methods might help to avoid adware-related applications:
- Use the Custom/Advanced mode. This installation mode will allow you to check all incoming downloads and opt-out of the unwanted components. Note that choosing the Quick/Recommended setting would be a mistake as it allows various unpleasant programs to “slip through”.
- Install an antivirus. Strong and reliable computer security software will protect the entire computer system and its components from dangerous cyber threats that might occur in your way.
- Stay away from rogue sites. Avoid entering any page on the Internet that you cannot recognize. Some of them might be provided by third parties and filled with dubious or even malware-related content.
Take AV tools for help, and the Prupdater removal becomes easier
According to cybersecurity experts[4], you should uninstall Pr updater to completely stop its potentially malicious activities. If you just stop the prime_updater.exe process in Task Manager, it can reappear on your Windows system right after rebooting the computer. Remember, such PUPs travel around together with numerous components used to continue reinstalling the virus until the automatic removal option is not used in its elimination process.
To remove the Prupdater virus with all its components, use the help of a reliable program, and there will be no need to worry about anything. This method is more effective and lets the user deal with the cyber threat very fastly. However, do not forget to refresh all web browsers that were affected by adware!
To perform the PUP removal manually, check out our below-given instructions. However, as we have already mentioned, this method will require more effort and attention from you. You will need to delete all browser extensions and dubious add-ons from browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and so on. Make sure you eliminate all components related to PUP because, otherwise, it might renew itself with the next boot.
You may remove virus damage with a help of ReimageIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of Prupdater. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- 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.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- 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.
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of Prupdater registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: ReimageIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting adware
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
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- ^ Margaret Rouse. Microsoft Windows. Search Security. Tech info.
- ^ Adware. Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.
- ^ Vangie Beal. Trojan horse. Webopedia. All about IT and computers.
- ^ Virusai.lt. Virusai. Remove malware safely.