Content Protector Adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Content Protector?
Content Protector is a deceptive application identical to Content Defender. By falsely claiming to protect systems from malware infections, Content Protector attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. Be aware, however, that this application is distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".
Furthermore, Content Protector generates intrusive online advertisements and collects various information relating to users' Internet browsing activity. For these reasons, Content Protector is categorized as adware and a potentially unwanted program (PUP).
Content Protector employs a 'virtual layer' to generate pop-up, banner, coupon, and other similar advertisements. The virtual layer enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, displayed advertisements often conceal underlying website content, thereby significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience.
In addition, these ads often lead to deceptive websites containing infectious content. Clicking them is risky and can result in further computer infections. Another downside is information tracking.
Be aware that Content Protector continually records URLs visited, queries entered into search engines, pages viewed, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (to determine geographic locations), and other similar data that might be personally identifiable. This information is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private details to generate revenue.
This situation might cause serious privacy issues. Therefore, we strongly advise you to uninstall Content Protector adware immediately.
All adware-type applications are virtually identical. By offering 'useful functionality', apps such as Content Protector, TwitterTime, Qubiv, InstaTime, and others, attempt to trick users to install. In fact, adware-type programs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.
These applications are useless for regular users. Rather than providing the functionality promised, adware such as Content Protector collects personally identifiable information (which is later sold to third parties) and delivers intrusive online advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model).
How did Content Protector install on my computer?
This PUP has an official download website, however, developers also distribute it using a deceptive software marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party software with regular software/apps. Developers hide bundled programs within the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings.
Rushing and skipping this section exposes systems to risk of various infections and compromises users' privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent this situation, closely analyze each step of the download and installation process. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings, observe each step, and decline decline all offers to download and/or install additional applications. It is highly probable that bundled programs will be malicious and, therefore, they should never be installed.
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Quick menu:
- What is Content Protector?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Content Protector application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Content Protector adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Content Protector ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by Content Protector' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Content Protector ads from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Content Protector adware removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for "Content Protector", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes Content Protector ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Content Protector adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, Content Protector did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by content protector, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by content protector, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by content protector removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by content protector, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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