Decription

• Privacy Protector is a fake Internet security application. The application launches pop-ups that resemble Windows notifications telling you that your computer is infected with malware and explaining how you can purchase the full version of Privacy Protector to remove the malware. Privacy Protector also changes your Internet homepage, redirects your Internet searches and replaces your desktop wallpaper with a message stating "Your privacy is in danger. Download privacy protection software now!"
  
  

Automatic Removal

• Privacy Protector can be removed automatically using an up to date anti-malware program, such as Microsoft Security Essentials, Avast! Free Antivirus or BitDefender Free Edition. The Internet security program which comes pre-installed with the Windows Vista and 7 operating systems, Windows Defender, is designed to remove spyware and thus can't remove Privacy Protector. Privacy Protector may disable your legitimate anti-malware software and prevent you from accessing common Internet security websites.
  
  

End Processes

• In the event that Privacy Protector blocks your legitimate anti-malware software or you don't have access to the Internet, you can remove Privacy Protector manually. Manual removal is a technical process that, if done incorrectly can cause significant system failures and thus should not be attempted by inexperienced users. To remove Privacy Protector manually, you must delete processes, registry values, dynamic link libraries and files. Press "Ctrl," "Shift" and "Escape" to open the Task Manager. Click the "Processes" tab. End the following processes by right right-clicking the process and clicking "End Process":
  
  --unins000.exe.
  
  --updater.exe.
  
  --install.exe.
  
  --sr.exe.
  
  --privprot.exe.
  
  --uprpcw.exe.
  
  --UPRP.exe.
  
  --installprivacyprotectorfree[1].exe.
  
  

Remove Registry Entries

• You must also delete registry entries when manually uninstalling Privacy Protector. First, click the Windows orb, and type "regedit" into the search field and press "Enter" to open the Registry Editor. Click "Computer" in the left pane. Click "File," then "Export," and type "registry backup" and click "Save." This backs up the registry in case the changes cause system errors. You can restore the registry in the event of an error through the editor's "File" and "Import" option. Right-click each of the following registry entries and click "Delete":
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\df_prot.prot.1\clsid
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\df_prot.prot\clsid
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\df_prot.prot\curver
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\interface\{1ce1c25b-f8b4-4974-99d2-5d4ae96b9900}
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\interface\{9e984934-cd94-4763-9dbc-618e483d4b7f}
  
  --HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\winsoftware\privacyprotector
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\compcleancore.appcleaner.1\clsid
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\compcleancore.appcleaner\clsid
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\compcleancore.appcleaner\curver
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\compcleancore.filecleaner.1\clsid
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\compcleancore.filecleaner\clsid
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\compcleancore.filecleaner\curver
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\compcleancore.inetcleaner.1\clsid
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\compcleancore.inetcleaner\clsid
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\compcleancore.inetcleaner\curver
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\compcleancore.regcleaner.1\clsid
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\compcleancore.regcleaner\clsid
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\compcleancore.regcleaner\curver
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\compcleancore.systemcleaner.1\clsid
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\compcleancore.systemcleaner\clsid
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\compcleancore.systemcleaner\curver
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\df_proxy.drivermanipulate.1\clsid
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\df_proxy.drivermanipulate\clsid
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\df_proxy.drivermanipulate\curver
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\typelib\{b6625280-8cd8-4632-97c0-83cec12a49a3}
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\typelib\{f458adae-d53b-4859-b99f-9fa127791278}
  
  --HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\typelib\{fc76a5b8-db35-4f3e-8b9a-bf0eea098d64}
  
  EBF4B37A-6262-40a8-AAD6-3A36B08AE98B
  
  F0E4888B-938D-43E9-8444-787E2FFC178B
  
  936301DE-ED09-4540-9DAF-0C8443A7F334
  
  PrivacyProtector Free.
  
  

Delete Remaining Files

• To finish the removal process, delete any file remnants of Privacy Protector. Click the Windows orb; type "cmd" into the search field and press "Enter" to open the Command Prompt. Type the following commands at the Command Prompt to remove the DLLs and files, and press "Enter" after each command:
  
  --regsvr32 /u protrec.dll
  
  --regsvr32 /u idletrac.dll
  
  --regsvr32 /u mmprot.dll
  
  --regsvr32 /u strres.dll
  
  --regsvr32 /u crxml.dll
  
  --regsvr32 /u pcheck.dll
  
  --regsvr32 /u compcln.dll
  
  --regsvr32 /u df_proxy.dll
  
  --regsvr32 /u protcore.dll
  
  --del PrivacyProtector
  
  --del Free PrivacyProtector
  
  --del HomePage.lnk
  
  --del PrivacyProtector Free.lnk
  
  --del PrivacyProtector Online Support.lnk
  
  --del PrivacyProtector.lnk
  
  --del Uninstall PrivacyProtector.lnk
  
  --del PrivacyProtector Online Manual.lnk.
  
  

Prevention

• To prevent Privacy Protector from infecting your computer in the future, run an up to date anti-malware program and a firewall. In addition, avoid opening email attachments from users you don't know and avoid clicking on pop-up advertisements.