What is the BrowserProtect virus (rogue)?

The BrowserProtect virus also referred to as the BrowserProtect.org virus, or BrowserProtect scam, is unwanted software that priomises to protect against browser hijackers, but is actually malware, categorized as a browser hijacker and scareware that changes intenret browser settings without consent, causing unwanted redirections, but the BrowserProtect virus also hijacks Facebook accounts in order to spread the BrowserProtect software via BrowserProtect.org. You may have noticed a Facebook friend share a link to BrowserProtect.org claiming that they just installed BrowserProtect to protect against browser hijacks, as well as various content, including generic content and Facebook post that may say lines such as “Write something…” Please note, this is likely because the Facebook account was hijacked, or the Facebook user fell victim to the BrowserProtect scam in which they allowed BrowserProtect.org to promote their software. This may also be defined as entrapment as many users are not aware of the negative effects of the BrowserProtect virus.

The BrowserProtect virus promotes itself as software used to block browser hijackers, but it has been reported that BrowserProtect performs fake scans and displays fake security warnings. It has also been noted that BrowserProtect does not remove the most common of browser hijackers such as Conduit. It can be said that BrowserProtect uses social engineering to unethically promote itself and primarily target unsuspecting computer users.

Victims of the BrowserProtect virus also claim that BrowserProtect may be difficult to remove or uninstall, stating that BrowserProtect may not show up as a program or BHO in Windows Control Panel. Though this may be the case, we have suggested alternative BrowserProtect removal instructions further below.

Is BrowserProtect safe (http://www.browserprotect.org)?

No BrowserProtect software is not safe for reasons concerning cyber criminal activity, such as credit theft, extortion, and identity theft. Furthermore, BrowserProtect utilizes unethical marketing practices and has been noted to entrap unsuspecting victims to terms they would not agree with if presented with in a proper manner.

How does BrowserProtect malware infect a computer?

BrowserProtect can be manually and voluntary installed from BrowserProtect.org as Browserprotect advertises itself as a legitimate tool used to protect against browser hijacks and is mostly promoted via compromised or entrapped Facebook posts pictured below.

Generic scareware often infects computer systems via compromised websites that host malware, drive-by download websites, software such as freeware, shareware, and codecs, and files including torrent downloads.

Dealing with the BrowserProtect scam on Facebook

• If you have noticed a friend’s account posting about the fake BrowserProtect scam in your news feed, do not click any links. Your Facebook friend may have been tricked into believing the BrowserProtect is legitimate, or their Facebook account may have become compromised without their consent by other means. It is common courtesy to let your friend(s) know about the scam by leaving a comment on the BrowserProtect post, but please be kind to those who have fallen to common Facebook scams.
• If you have fallen for the BrowserProtect Facebook scam, it is important to change your Facebook account password and let your Facebook friends know in order to stop this scam and associated malware from spreading. You can even change your Facebook email account used to login. A recommendation is to publish a post to your friends on your Facebook account, notifying them your account may have been compromised and not to click any suspicious links that your account may post.
• If you suspect your computer is infected with malware associated to the Facebook ipad scam, perform a full system scan using reputable software such as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

1. Automatic BrowserProtect removal

Use the instructions below to automatically remove BrowserProtect and third-party malware, as well as automatically remove unwanted search engines that may have hijacked your home page, default search engine, and browser shortcuts.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

1. Install the free or paid version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

 

2. Once Malwarebytes is installed, run the program. If you are using the free version of Malwarebytes you will be prompted to update the database, make sure to do so.

3. On the first tab labeled “Scanner” select the Perform full scan option and click the Scan button to perform a full system scan. Malwarebytes will automatically detect malware infecting the computer system.

4. Once the malware scan is complete, Malwarebytes may prompt a notice stating malicious objects were detected. Select the malicious objects and click the Remove Selected button to completely remove the malicious files from your computer (the image below shows a file that is NOT selected) or click the Delete button to remove quarantined files.

CCleaner

CCleaner can be used to automatically repair internet browser settings startup up settings, and uninstall BrowserProtect software.

1. Install the free or paid version of CCleaner by Piriform.

2. Once installed, open the program and navigate to Cleaner > Windows/Applications and click the Analyze button. Afterwards, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.

3. Next, navigate to Tools > Startup and search through each tab starting from windows, internet explorer, etc., all the way to Content Menu, for additional suspicious entries and click Disable and Delete once anything is found.

4. To automatically uninstall BrowserProtect and unwanted programs, navigate to the Uninstall tab and located BrowserProtect software in the list of installed programs. Uninstall the programs as selected.

2. Manual BrowserProtect removal

Use the instructions below to manually uninstall BrowserProtect using generic removal procedures. 

How to uninstall BrowserProtect malware

1. Access Windows Start Menu and navigate to the Control Panel.

2. Click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program.

3. In the list of installed programs, search for BrowserProtect and other potentially unwanted software. Once located, double click the unwanted programs or highlight them in the list and click the Uninstall button.

How to remove the BrowserProtect add-on and extension

Use the instructions to remove BrowserProtect add-ons, extensions, plugins, and toolbars.

Google Chrome

1. Click on the Customize icon (wrench or 3 bar icon) next to the address bar and navigate to Tools > Extensions.

2. Search for the BrowserProtect extension and remove it by clicking the trashcan icon next to them.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Type Ctrl+Shift+A.

2. On the Extensions and Plugin search for the BrowserProtect add-on and remove it.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

1. Click Tools and select Manage add-ons.

2. On the Toolbars and Extensions tab search for the BrowserProtect add-on and remove it if located.

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