Remove SProtector.exe and SProtector.dll (Virus Removal Guide)

SProtector is a potentially unwanted program that is designed to protect its bundled programs and make sure they remain installed or unchanged by other third party programs.
The SProtector.exe program is a part of the Search Assistant SProtect program, and is developed by Search Assistant WebSearch, a company known for their malicious programs.
If you have the SProtector program on your system, you will typically see two “SProtector.exe” processes running in the Windows Task Manager.

SProtector.exe has 9 known versions, the most recent one is 1.5.0.71. SProtector.exe is run as a standard windows process with the logged in user’s account privileges. By adding a startup entry to the run registry key, the file will be executed when the user logs into Windows. The average file size is about 2.45 MB.

During the process’s life cycle, the typical CPU resource utilization is about 0.0046% including both foreground and background operations, the average private memory consumption is about 18.98 MB with the maximum memory reaching around 21.68 MB. Additionally, typically read and write I/O disk operations is about 3 KB per minute for reads and 210 Bytes per minute for writes.

SProtector.exe is typically added when you install another free software (video recording/streaming, download-managers or PDF creators) that had bundled into their installation this program. Very often users have no idea where did it come from, so it’s not surprising at all that most of them assume that SProtector.exe is a virus. This program is also bundled within the custom installer on many reputable download sites, so if you have downloaded a software from these websites, chances are that SProtector.exe was installed during the software setup process.
SProtector.exe it’s technically not a virus, but it does exhibit plenty of malicious traits, such as rootkit capabilities to hook deep into the operating system, browser hijacking, and in general just interfering with the user experience. The industry generally refers to it as a “PUP,” or potentially unwanted program.

Once installed, SProtector.exe will change the default search engine and home pages in all major web browsers, and if you try to revert to their default settings, this program will not allow you to perform these changes.

SProtector.exe is bundled within the installer of many toolbars, adware and other potentially unwanted programs, with the sole purpose of making the removal process of this programs more difficult.
Some examples of infections that will install the SProtector.exe program are: SafeSaver, ContinueToSave, BrowseToSave, Search Assistant SimpleSpeedy, Search Assistant SProtector, GadgetBox, VaudiX and many more programs.

SProtector has been detected as ‘malware’ by multiple antivirus products. TrendMicro classifies it as TROJ_GEN.RCBH1L8. ESET calls it a variant of Win32/SProtector.A. QuickHeal identifies SProtector.dll as Worm.SProtector.A3. Avast classifies it as a potentially unwanted program (PUP) Win32:SProtector-B [PUP] and DrWeb flags it as Adware.BGuard. The program, specifically the sprotector.dll file is loaded into Google Chrome and connects to the Internet.

You should always pay attention when installing software because often, a software installer includes optional installs, such as this SProtector hijacker. Be very careful what you agree to install.
Always opt for the custom installation and deselect anything that is not familiar, especially optional software that you never wanted to download and install in the first place. It goes without saying that you should not install software that you don’t trust.

How to remove SProtector.exe and SProtector.dll (Virus Removal Guide)

This page is a comprehensive guide, which will remove SProtector pop-ups from your computer, and any other adware program that may have been installed during the setup process.
Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubt at any point, STOP and ask for our assistance.
STEP 1: Remove SProtector.exe and SProtector.dll adware with AdwCleaner
STEP 2: Remove SProtector.exe and SProtector.dll virus with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free
STEP 3: Double-check for the SProtector.exe infection with HitmanPro

STEP 1: Remove SProtector.exe and SProtector.dll adware from your computer with AdwCleaner

The AdwCleaner utility will scan your computer for SProtector.exe and SProtector.dll adware, that may have been installed on your computer without your knowledge.

1. You can download AdwCleaner utility from the below link.
   Download AdwCleanerFree official download. Nothing to install.
2. Before starting AdwCleaner, close all open programs and internet browsers, then double-click on the AdwCleaner icon.
   
   If Windows prompts you as to whether or not you wish to run AdwCleaner, please allow it to run.
3. When the AdwCleaner program will open, click on the Scan button as shown below.
   
   AdwCleaner will now start to search for SProtector malicious files that may be installed on your computer.
4. To remove the SProtector malicious files that were detected in the previous step, please click on the Clean button.
   
   AdwCleaner will now prompt you to save any open files or data as the program will need to reboot the computer. Please do so and then click on the OK button.

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STEP 2: Remove SProtector.exe and SProtector.dll virus with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free utilizes Malwarebytes powerful technology to detect and remove all traces of malware including worms, trojans, rootkits, rogues, dialers, spyware and more.

1. You can download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free from the below link, then double-click on the icon named mbam-setup.exe to install this program.
   Download MalwarebytesFree official installer. Your download starts right away.
2. When the installation begins, keep following the prompts in order to continue with the setup process, then at the last screen click on the Finish button.
   
3. On the Scanner tab, select Perform quick scan, and then click on the Scan button to start searching for the SProtector malicious files.
   
4. Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will now start scanning your computer for SProtector as shown below.
   
5. When the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware scan has finished, click on the Show Results button.
   
6. You will now be presented with a screen showing you the computer infections that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware has detected. Make sure that everything is Checked (ticked), then click on the Remove Selected button.
   

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STEP 3: Double-check for the SProtector.exe and SProtector.dll infection with HitmanPro

HitmanPro is a second opinion scanner, designed to rescue your computer from malware (viruses, trojans, rootkits, etc.) that have infected your computer despite all the security measures you have taken (such as anti virus software, firewalls, etc.).

1. You can download HitmanPro from the below link:
   Download HitmanProOfficial Sophos download. Free scan, free 30-day trial to remove threats.
2. Double-click on the file named HitmanPro.exe (for 32-bit versions of Windows) or HitmanPro_x64.exe (for 64-bit versions of Windows). When the program starts you will be presented with the start screen as shown below.
   
   Click on the Next button, to install HitmanPro on your computer.
   
3. HitmanPro will now begin to scan your computer for SProtector malicious files.
   
4. When it has finished it will display a list of all the malware that the program found as shown in the image below. Click on the Next button, to remove SProtector adware.
   
5. Click on the Activate free license button to begin the free 30 days trial, and remove all the malicious files from your computer.
   

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Your computer should now be free of the SProtector infection. If your current anti-virus solution let this infection through, you may want to consider purchasing the PRO version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future, and perform regular computer scans with HitmanPro.
If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove SProtector virus from your machine, please start a new thread in our Malware Removal Assistance