Ads by ProtectedBrowsing

What is ProtectedBrowsing?

Developed by Intriguing Apps, ProtectedBrowsing is a potentially unwanted application claiming to keep Internet users' computers safe from malicious websites by preventing installation of malware or spyware. Although this functionality may seem useful and legitimate, be aware that ProtectedBrowsing is categorized as adware.

The developers of this rogue browser add-on employ a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' to install ProtectedBrowsing on Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox) without users' permission.

Following successful infiltration, ProtectedBrowser generates numerous intrusive online advertisements including banner, pop-up, interstitial, sponsored link, targeted video, and offers to download other adware-type applications. It is highly probable that clicking these advertisements will cause high-risk adware or malware infections.

As well as ad generation, ProtectedBrowsing continually tracks users' Internet browsing activity by collecting various information, which might be personally identifiable, such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, unique identifier numbers, geographic locations, operating systems, browser types, search queries entered, URLs visited, pages viewed, and other similar details.

This behavior may result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft, and for this reason, you are strongly advised to eliminate ProtectedBrowsing from your Internet browsers.

Commonly, users install ProtectedBrowser via fake downloads (Java updates, browser updates, etc.) and other similar adware (for example, Browser Guardian, Coupon Server, and Savings and Coupon related ads), which generates offers to download promoted applications.

ProtectedBrowsing is similar to other rogue browser extensions, which use bundling to install on Internet browsers (for example, Wifi Protector Ads, Trust Media Viewer, and Media Buzz). None of these browser extensions add any real value for the user - their purpose is to generate income by the display of intrusive online advertisements.

Most users install this adware via free software 'download managers' on freeware download websites such as download.com, soft32.com, softonic.com, amongst many others. Download managers are used to monetize these websites' free services by offering installation of advertised browser extensions together with the chosen free software.

To prevent installation of ProtectedBrowsing, or other potentially unwanted applications, closely inspect each step of the freeware download process and never accept installation of any additional programs offered. Reckless download and installation of free software leads to adware or malware infections.

If you are installing downloaded software, select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' installation options - this will reveal any hidden applications listed for installation and allow you to decline them. Internet users who have already installed ProtectedBrowsing should read the following removal guide to eliminate this adware from their Internet browsers.

Deceptive free software installers used in Protected Browsing adware distribution:

ProtectedBrowsing adware generating intrusive ads ('Ad by ProtectedBrowsing') in various websites:

ProtectedBrowsing adware generating in-text ads:

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Quick menu:

• What is ProtectedBrowsing?
• STEP 1. Uninstall potentially unwanted applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove ProtectedBrowsing ads from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove ProtectedBrowsing advertisements from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove Ads by ProtectedBrowsing from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove ProtectedBrowsing extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

ProtectedBrowsing ads 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 "ProtectedBrowsing" (or other potentially unwanted applications - at time of testing, ProtectedBrowsing ads were generated by various coupon ads-displaying adware), select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program (which causes ProtectedBrowsing ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove ProtectedBrowsing ads from 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 "ProtectedBrowsing", select this entry and click "Remove". Note that ProtectedBrowsing ads can be caused by other adware. In the Manage Add-ons window, remove all suspicious browser add-ons.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the protectedbrowsing adware, 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 on "Extensions". Locate: "ProtectedBrowsing", select this entry and click the trash can icon. Note that ProtectedBrowsing ads can be caused by other adware. In the "extensions" window of Google Chrome, remove all suspicious browser extensions.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the protectedbrowsing adware, 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.

If you are unable to remove ProtectedBrowsing (or any other add-on) and it is greyed-out ("Installed by enterprise policy"), follow this removal guide - how to remove a Google Chrome extension that is "Installed by enterprise policy"?

Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window remove "ProtectedBrowsing". Note that ProtectedBrowsing ads can be generated by other adware. In the "Add-ons Manager" window, remove all suspicious browser add-ons.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with protectedbrowsing adware 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 protectedbrowsing adware, 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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