PC Privacy Shield (Removal Guide)
What is PC Privacy Shield?
PC Privacy Shield by ShieldApps is a questionable “scan-only” program that claims to be an Anti-Malware and System Optimizer type program for Windows. The developer claims the software scans for and removes threats from your PC or laptop. The program also scans for saved user names and passwords that are logged into Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari and can clean or replace junk files and browser history. If you perform a scan with PC Privacy Shield you will be able to see personal information which is logged into your browser.
Once PC Privacy Shield is installed it will begin to automatically scan your computer for user names and passwords, your banking information, your browser history, message history, cookies, and local trace files.
PC Privacy Shield will always claim that a very large amount of issues are found and that your computer is in poor health. This is very common for these types of suspicious program. It is usually assumed to be a scare-mongering marketing ploy designed frighten users into purchasing or regitering the program for a cost. If the program can convice a user that they are at risk it might make them more susceptible to purcahse the full program in order to use it.
An issue that malware analysts find with PC Privacy Shield and other programs like it is that they are always advertised alongside or bundled with malware and potentially unwanted programs. This means that if you find PC Privacy Shield installed onto your computer without your knowledge it could mean that your computer is infected with malware and other threats.
These are the threats found after this program was installed to our test machine.
The program is also a pest to simply close. It will try to convince users to purchase the product with various tactics including pop-ups and confusing tactics to manually quit the program.
If you are able to manually quit the program it will not actually turn off. It will remain enabled in the background and use your system resources. A process titled PCPrivacyShield (32 bit) [PCPrivacyShield (32 bit).exe] (or other) will continue to run.
It also creates and schedules new tasks in Windows Task Manager in order to run every time you start Windows. This can use a lot of system resources as well.
PC Privacy Shield Distribution Method
PC Privacy Shield is typically promoted by freeware and advertisements on media related websites including torrent websites, video streaming websites, online gaming websites, and others. The program may arrive as a custom offer or inside a dubious file that automatically downloads and installs it.
In some cases users may be given a choice to accept or decline a custom offer to install PC Privacy Shield and other programs during the set-up process of third-party freeware and dubious torrents.
PC Privacy Shield may claim to be it is something it is not in order to trick users into installing it. This is a very common tactic with potentially unwanted programs similar to it.
The program can also be manually installed from the publisher’s websites.
Threat Details
| Names | PC Privacy Shield, PC Privacy Shield virus *This infection is not technically defined as a computer virus |
| Detection Categories | Adware, Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) |
| Publisher Description | PC Privacy Shield lets you easily scan your PC or laptop for any potential threats. The dashboard will instantly display your PC’s vulnerability by revealing any potential security and privacy issues |
| Symptoms | Advertisements and sponsored search results in the web browser Browser redirects to sponsored webpages Decreased internet speed and performance Decreased computer functionality and performance Bundles with malware and other potentially unwanted programs |
| Common Path(s) | C:\Program Files (x86) C:\Users\{USER}\Downloads\ |
| Quick Detection & Removal Tool | Click Here To Download Malwarebytes |
PC Privacy Shield Removal Options
Manual Removal Guide
This manual PC Privacy Shield removal guide contains steps to help you completely remove PC Privacy Shield and other threats from your computer. In order to eradicate this threat please follow each step in order.
PC Privacy Shield Removal Steps
- Step 1: Uninstall PC Privacy Shield via Windows Control Panel
- Step 2: Remove unwanted browser add-ons and extensions
- Step 3: Remove PC Privacy Shield and other threats with Malwarebytes
- Step 4: Remove PC Privacy Shield and existing threats with HitmanPro
- Step 5: Clean-up and repair settings with CCleaner
2. The second step to remove threats that bundle with PC Privacy Shield is to remove any unwanted browser add-ons and extensions that may have installed from each web browser on your computer.
| Google Chrome | Go to Customize and control Google Chrome > More Tools > Extensions |
| Mozilla Firefox | Go to Menu > Add-ons |
| Microsoft Internet Explorer | Go to Tools > Manage add-ons |
| Apple Safari | Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions |
3. The third step to remove PC Privacy Shield and other threats is to scan your computer and eradicate malicious files using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
4. Download and Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
5. Open Malwarebytes and click the large blue Scan Now button to begin a scan.
6. Once the scan is complete click the Remove Selected button and Finish button afterwards. If Malwarebytes suggests that you restart your computer please do so.
7. The fourth step to remove PC Privacy Shield and other threats is to scan your computer and eradicate malicious files using HitmanPro; a reputable second-opinion scan and removal tool.
8. Download and Install HitmanPro by Surfright.
9. Open HitmanPro and click Next to start scanning your computer. *If you are using the free version you may chose to create a copy or perform a one-time scan.
10. When the HitmanPro scan is complete click the Next button and then click the Reboot button. *To activate the free version of HitmanPro: enter your email address twice and click the Activate button.
11. The fifth step to remove PC Privacy Shield and other threats is to clean-up and repair settings with CCleaner.
12. Download and Install CCleaner by Piriform.
13. Open CCleaner and go to the main Cleaner screen. Click the Analyze button. When the process is complete, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.
14. Go to Tools > Startup and search for suspicious entries in each tab starting from Windows all the way to Content Menu. If you find anything suspicious click it and click the Delete button to remove it.
15. Go to the Registry window and click the Scan for Issues button. When the scan is complete click the Fix selected issues… button and click Fix All Selected Issues.
