What is Windows Instant Scanner?
Similar to the fake security infections we’ve covered in previous guides, Windows Instant Scanner is a fake security variant along the lines of Security Tool and its innumerable variants. While this client has the appearance of a legitimate security application, it identifies dummy files on your computer as infected and attempts to have the user pay to remove them. This is a good rule of thumb to exercise with any security client: a legitimate application may ask the user to pay for remote support to remove an infection the application is unable to clean, but it will never ask the user to pay just to have the software remove something.
How Did I get infected with Windows Instant Scanner?
If I had a nickel for every time I’m asked this question, I would indeed have quite a few nickels. Unfortunately there is no easy answer, but the primary vector for infection is what is known as a drive-by-download. Infections of this nature get into your machine when malicious code is inserted, generally between pages on an otherwise legitimate website. When you visit the website, this code will force your computer to download and install the infected file. If there was no interaction with you during this process, meaning that you were never asked to install any software, you should strongly consider replacing whatever antivirus client you’ve been using up to this point.
What is Windows Instant Scanner Doing to My Computer Right Now?
Every file reported as infected by this infection is a false-positive. The scary-sounding warning messages shown are also fake. Here are some of the messages:
Error
Trojan activity detected. System data security is at risk.
It is recommended to activate protection and run a full system scan.Warning
Firewall has blocked a program from accessing the Internet
C:\program files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe
is suspected to have infected your PC. This type of virus intercepts entered data and transmits them to a remote server.Error
Attempt to modify registry key entries detected. Registry entry analysis is recommended.
Windows Instant Scanner
» Download Windows Instant Scanner Removal Software
While this infection can seem relatively benign, you should remove it as soon as possible. This type of infection functions like a backdoor. allowing the installation of much more severe infections, such as rootkits and bootkits that cause significant damage. For this reason, it is important to run a full virus scan even if you follow the manual removal guide below.
Automatic Windows Instant Scanner Removal
Online Windows Instant Scanner Removal Service
Remove Proxy Setting so You Can Connect to the Internet Again.
Windows Instant Scanner Manual Removal Procedures
The first step you must take in order to remove Windows Instant Scanner is to stop the following process. Watch the video for guidance.
- Protector-<random 3 chars>.exe ( Example is Protector-afg.exe ) Your file trace will be named different.
To Stop this process you can
A. Browse to the file location shown below and re-name the file first and then restart your computer. Then browse to that file location again and delete the file.
B. Boot into Safe Mode and delete the file
C: Log-into another users account and see if you can delete the file.
D: Start the Task Manager the very second you login and terminate the process that way.
The next step in Windows Instant Scanner removal is to delete the following file:
- %AppData%\Protector-[random].exe
Once you have deleted the above executable, Windows Instant Scanner will no longer be running. At this time you need to run a full virus scan. RUN THE SCAN! We recommend Spyware Doctor with Antivirus. You need to ensure no other viruses are on your computer. Unfortunately many people skip this crucial step following the removal of the infection. Although the machine may seem clean, other infections may still be lurking, ready to infect the machine as soon as they’re activated.
If you find this threat too difficult to remove yourself and need an expert, we recommend www.pcninja.com . They charge far less than others and are great at what they do.
Windows Safety Maintenance Registry Removal Procedures
With this infection there is no need to edit the registry. We don’t recommend inexperienced users edit the registry at all if possible, and it is certainly not necessary with this type of infection. Most of the time, if the infection has made any changes, they’re no longer active as soon as you’ve deleted the executable file. Any good antivirus client or registry repair utility should be able to handle any changes made by the infection and fix them automatically.
Windows Instant Scanner Directories and Files:
- %AppData%\Protector-[random].exe
- %AppData%\NPSWF32.dll
- %AppData%\Protector-[random].exe
- %AppData%\Protector-[random].exe
- %AppData%\result.db
- %AppData%\1st$0l3th1s.cnf
Conclusion
Although this infection and other like it are pushovers when it comes to removal and the damage they cause to your computer, we don’t recommend that any users uncomfortable with the above outlined steps undertake a manual removal. This is because the directories that the infection inserts itself into also contain files vital to the operation of legitimate programs on your computer. Users less than experienced should ignore the steps outlined above consult a web-based repair service such as www.pcninja.com or legitimate antivirus software such as Spyware Doctor with Antivirus to completely and safely remove Windows Instant Scanner. Many of our users report they really like the look and feel of Spyware Doctor with Antivirus so that is the main client we have been starting to recommend.
We have also created a dedicated site at http://www.removemsremovaltool.com to help people out.
Related Article Keywords: Windows Instant Scanner, Remove Windows Instant Scanner, Windows Instant Scanner Removal, How to Remove Windows Instant Scanner
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