ProtectStartPage.com Threat Level:

ProtectStartPage.com is a browser hijacker that changes your home page to ProtectStartPage.com. Like its twin PureSafetyHere.com, ProtectStartPage.com pimps fake anti-spyware, like AntiSpyware Shield and WinSpyKiller. ProtectStartPage.com runs its own fake security scan and popup, telling you you’re infected with W32.Myzor.FK@yf. This ProtectStartPage.com popup reads:

Warning! W32.Myzor.FK@yf is a virus that infects files with .exe extensions. It attempts to steal passwords and private information from the infected computer.
Type: Virus
Infection Length: 138,293 bytes
Systems Affected: Windows 95, 98, ME, NT (all versions), 2003, Windows XP (all service packs)
Systems Not Affected: DOS, EPOC, Linux, Macintosh, Novell Netware, OS/2, UNIX
Technical details: Creates files in %Windir%\ directory. By default, this is C:\Windows.
Adds values to registry keys: HKEY_LOCAL_MNACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Scans the hard drive for .exe files and infects any executable files. Searches for passwords/information, which it may send to a remote attacker.
Recomendations [SIC]: Click “OK” to download officially approved security software.
Always keep your patch levels up-to-date.

You’re not infected with W32.Myzor.FK@yf: you’re infected with ProtectStartPage.com. And the only thing ProtectStartPage.com and its rogue anti-spyware removes is money from your pockets.

So remove ProtectStartPage.com.

Do You Have ProtectStartPage.com?

When you’re infected with badware — whether it’s ProtectStartPage.com, spyware, adware, a Trojan, or a virus — there are a few key symptoms. Have you noticed…

• Slow computer performance: It just takes one parasite like ProtectStartPage.com to slow your computer dramatically. If your PC takes longer than usual to reboot, or if your Internet connection is unusually slow, you may be infected with ProtectStartPage.com.
• New desktop shortcuts or switched homepage: Badware like ProtectStartPage.com may change your Internet settings to redirect your homepage to another site. Badware can even add desktop shortcuts to your PC.
• Annoying popups: Badware can bombard your computer with popup ads, even when you’re not online. Through these popups, you may be tricked into downloading more spyware.

How to Remove ProtectStartPage.com Manually

Before we get started, you should backup your system and your registry, so it’ll be easy to restore your computer if anything goes wrong.

To remove ProtectStartPage.com manually, you need to delete ProtectStartPage.com files. Not sure how to delete ProtectStartPage.com files? Click here, and I’ll show you. Otherwise, go ahead and…

Remove ProtectStartPage.com processes:

Delete ProtectStartPage.com DLLs:

Unregister ProtectStartPage.com registry keys:

Delete ProtectStartPage.com files:

Note: In any ProtectStartPage.com files I mention above, “%UserProfile%” is a variable referring to your current user’s profile folder. If you’re using Windows NT/2000/XP, by default this is “C:\Documents and Settings\[CURRENT USER]” (e.g., “C:\Documents and Settings\JoeSmith”). If you have any questions about manual ProtectStartPage.com removal, go ahead and leave a comment.

How Do You Remove ProtectStartPage.com Files?

Need help figuring out how to delete ProtectStartPage.com files? While there’s some risk involved, and you should only manually remove ProtectStartPage.com files if you’re comfortable editing your system, you’ll find it’s fairly easy to delete ProtectStartPage.com files in Windows.

How to delete ProtectStartPage.com files in Windows XP and Vista:

1. Click your Windows Start menu, and then click “Search.”
2. A speech bubble will pop up asking you, “What do you want to search for?” Click “All files and folders.”
3. Type a ProtectStartPage.com file in the search box, and select “Local Hard Drives.”
4. Click “Search.” Once the file is found, delete it.

How to stop ProtectStartPage.com processes:

1. Click the Start menu, select Run.
2. Type taskmgr.exe into the the Run command box, and click “OK.” You can also launch the Task Manager by pressing keys CTRL + Shift + ESC.
3. Click Processes tab, and find ProtectStartPage.com processes.
4. Once you’ve found the ProtectStartPage.com processes, right-click them and select “End Process” to kill ProtectStartPage.com.

How to remove ProtectStartPage.com registry keys:

Because your registry is such a key piece of your Windows system, you should always backup your registry before you edit it. Editing your registry can be intimidating if you’re not a computer expert, and when you change or a delete a critical registry key or value, there’s a chance you may need to reinstall your entire system. Make sure your backup your registry before editing it.

1. Select your Windows menu “Start,” and click “Run.” An “Open” field will appear. Type “regedit” and click “OK” to open up your Registry Editor.
2. Registry Editor will open as a window with two panes. The left side Registry Editor’s window lets you select various registry keys, and the right side displays the registry values of the registry key you select.
3. To find a registry key, such as any ProtectStartPage.com registry keys, select “Edit,” then select “Find,” and in the search bar type any of ProtectStartPage.com’s registry keys.
4. As soon as ProtectStartPage.com registry key appears, you can delete the ProtectStartPage.com registry key by right-clicking it and selecting “Modify,” then clicking “Delete.”

How to delete ProtectStartPage.com DLL files:

1. First locate ProtectStartPage.com DLL files you want to delete. Open your Windows Start menu, then click “Run.” Type “cmd” in Run, and click “OK.”
2. To change your current directory, type “cd” in the command box, press your “Space” key, and enter the full directory where the ProtectStartPage.com DLL file is located. If you’re not sure if the ProtectStartPage.com DLL file is located in a particular directory, enter “dir” in the command box to display a directory’s contents. To go one directory back, enter “cd ..” in the command box and press “Enter.”
3. When you’ve located the ProtectStartPage.com DLL file you want to remove, type “regsvr32 /u SampleDLLName.dll” (e.g., “regsvr32 /u jl27script.dll”) and press your “Enter” key.

That’s it. If you want to restore any ProtectStartPage.com DLL file you removed, type “regsvr32 DLLJustDeleted.dll” (e.g., “regsvr32 jl27script.dll”) into your command box, and press your “Enter” key.

Did ProtectStartPage.com change your homepage?

1. Click Windows Start menu > Control Panel > Internet Options.
2. Under Home Page, select the General > Use Default.
3. Type in the URL you want as your home page (e.g., “http://www.homepage.com”).
4. Select Apply > OK.
5. You’ll want to open a fresh web page and make sure that your new default home page pops up.

ProtectStartPage.com Removal Tip

Is your computer acting funny after deleting any ProtectStartPage.com files? I recommend using a program like File Recover from PC Tools. File Recover saves deleted files that otherwise can’t be recovered by Windows operating sytem.

Want to save time finding ProtectStartPage.com files? Download Spyware Doctor, let it find the ProtectStartPage.com files for you, and then manually delete ProtectStartPage.com files.

How Did You Get ProtectStartPage.com?

Wondering how ProtectStartPage.com ended up on your PC? If you’re infected with ProtectStartPage.com or other badware, perhaps you were using…

• Freeware or shareware: Did you download and install shareware or freeware? These low-cost or free software applications may come bundled with spyware, adware, or programs like ProtectStartPage.com. Sometimes adware is attached to the free software to “pay” developers for the cost of creating the software, and more often spyware is secretly attached to free software to harm your computer and steal your personal and financial information.
• Peer-to-peer software: Do you use a peer-to-peer (P2P) program or other application with a shared network? When you use these applications, you put your system at risk for unknowingly downloading an infected file, including applications like ProtectStartPage.com.
• Questionable websites: Did you visit a website that’s of questionable nature? When you visit malicious sites that are fishy and phishy, badware may be automatically downloaded and installed onto your computer, sometimes including applications like ProtectStartPage.com. I recommend you use Firefox web browser, if you don’t already.

Understanding ProtectStartPage.com

If you’re infected with ProtectStartPage.com, you should know what you’re fighting. I’ll explain some definitions related to ProtectStartPage.com.

ProtectStartPage.com May Be a Browser Hijacker

Browser hijackers can change your web browser settings. Browser hijackers may change your home page to or redirect your searches through a pay-per-click site to make money, and browser hijackers may also monitor your web activities. Often, resetting your web browser to its default settings will not remove or stop the browser hijacker from working.

ProtectStartPage.com May Be Rogue Anti-Spyware

Rogue anti-spyware refers to anti-spyware/antivirus software of questionable value. Rogue anti-spyware may not be proven to protect your computer from spyware, may popup fake alerts or create many false positives about your PC being infected, or may use scare tactics to try to get you to purchase the application. Rogue anti-spyware software may be installed by a Trojan, come bundled with other software, or install itself through web browser security holes. While it is fairly rare, some rogue anti-spyware is created and distributed by known spyware or adware companies, and the rogue anti-spyware may install spyware or adware itself.

Often when you’re infected with rogue anti-spyware like ProtectStartPage.com, you’ll see a false popup security alert like this:

Rogue Anti-Spyware Tactics

Typically, rogue anti-spyware such as ProtectStartPage.com has one or more of the qualities listed below, which is why rogue anti-spyware is considered anti-spyware software of questionable value.

• False positives/fake alerts: Rogue anti-spyware may produce a large number of false positives or use fake alerts, noting that your computer is infected with spyware parasites or other threats that do not really exist.
• Copycat looks: Rogue anti-spyware may copy the look and feel of other legitimate or rogue anti-spyware applications. Often, rogue anti-spyware applications may appear as close clones of other rogue anti-spyware software.
• High pressure marketing: Rogue anti-spyware may use scare tactics or other aggressive advertising and marketing tactics to try to trick you into buying the rogue anti-spyware application. Often, rogue anti-spyware may produce false positives and fake alerts about your computer being infected.
• Poor detection/scan reporting: Rogue anti-spyware may produce poor reports when it scans your PC. For example, rogue anti-spyware may say your computer is infected 11 parasites, but not specify which spyware parasites or what type of parasites. Rogue anti-spyware may also report that your PC is infected with SafeAndClean, but not tell you which related files, DLLS, etc. were found on your computer.
• Weak scanning/detection: Rogue anti-spyware may not only poorly report on computer infection, but rogue antispyware may also poorly scan your PC. Rogue anti-spyware may skip over important folders and files of your computer that should be scanned to detect spyware.

Did ProtectStartPage.com use these tactics to trick you into buying ProtectStartPage.com?