Removal guide Scam Alerts

System Progressive Protection – Virus Removal Guide

By Stelian5 min read

System Progressive Protection is a computer virus from the WinWebSec family of rogue anti-spyware programs.
Cyber criminals,spread System Progressive Protection via infected websites,malicious email attachments or Java exploits.Once installed on your computer System Progressive Protection will start a bogus security scan which will report that several trojans,rootkits and viruses were found on your machine.
As you have probably realized by now,this alerts are nothing just scam and are meant to scare you into buy System Progressive Protection.
Apart from this fake alerts,System Progressive Protection will also prevent you from starting certain programs that could lead to its removal and redirect your browser to websites from which the cyber criminals will get affiliate revenue.
If your computer is infected with System Progressive Protection,then you are seeing this screens:

System Progressive Protection virus

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System Progressive Protection Activation Request

System Progressive Protection Warning

We strongly advise you to ignore any alerts that System Progressive Protection might generate and proceed with this removal guide as soon as possible.
Under no circumstance should you buy System Progressive Protection as this could lead to identity theft,and if you have, you should contact your credit card company and dispute the charge stating that the program is a scam and a computer virus.

Registration codes for System Progressive Protection
As an optional step,you can use the following license key to register System Progressive Protection and stop the fake alerts.
System Progressive Protection license key: AA39754E-715219CE
Please keep in mind that entering the above registration code will NOT remove System Progressive Protection from your computer , instead it will just stop the fake alerts so that you’ll be able to complete our removal guide more easily.

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System Progressive Protection Removal Guide

STEP 1 : Start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking

  1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.
  2. Press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts.Please keep in mind that you need to press the F8 key before the Windows start-up logo appears.
    Note: With some computers, if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting you will get a stuck key message. If this occurs, instead of pressing and holding the “F8 key”, tap the “F8 key” continuously until you get the Advanced Boot Options screen.
  3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Networking , and then press ENTER.
    [Image: Safe Mode with Networking]

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STEP 2: Run RKill to terminate known malware processes associated with System Progressive Protection.

RKill is a program that will attempt to terminate all malicious processes associated with System Progressive Protection,so that we will be able to perform the next step without being interrupted by this malicious software.
Because this utility will only stop System Progressive Protection running process, and does not delete any files, after running it you should not reboot your computer as any malware processes that are configured to start automatically will just be started again.

  1. While your computer is in Safe Mode with Networking ,please download the latest official version of RKill.Please note that we will use a renamed version of RKILL so that System Progressive Protection won’t block this utility from running.
    Download RKillYour download starts right away.
  2. Double click on iExplore.exe to start RKill and stop any processes associated with System Progressive Protection.
    [Image: RKILL Program]
  3. RKill will now start working in the background, please be patient while the program looks for various malware programs and tries to terminate them.
    [Image: RKILL stoping malware]
    IF you are having problems starting or running RKill, you can download any other renamed versions of RKill from here.
  4. When Rkill has completed its task, it will generate a log. You can then proceed with the rest of the guide.
    [Image: RKill Report]

WARNING: Do not reboot your computer after running RKill as the malware process will start again , preventing you from properly performing the next step.


STEP 3: Remove System Progressive Protection malicious files with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware FREE

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a powerfull on-demand scanner which will remove System Progressive Protection malicious files from your computer.

  1. You can download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free from the below link,then double click on it 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.
    DO NOT make any changes to default settings and when the program has finished installing, make sure you leave both the Update Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware checked,then click on the Finish button.
    [Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware final installation screen]
  3. On the Scanner tab,select Perform quick scan and then click on the Scan button to start scanning your computer.
    [Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Quick Scan]
  4. Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will now start scanning your computer for System Progressive Protection malicious files as shown below.
    [Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware scanning for System Progressive Protection]
  5. When the Malwarebytes scan will be completed,click on Show Result.
    [Image: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware scan results]
  6. You will now be presented with a screen showing you the malware infections that Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware has detected.Please note that the infections found may be different than what is shown in the image.Make sure that everything is Checked (ticked) and click on the Remove Selected button.
    [Image:Malwarebytes removing virus]
  7. After your computer will restart in Normal mode, open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and perform a Full System scan to verify that there are no remaining threats

STEP 4: Remove System Progressive Protection rootkit with HitmanPro

In some cases,System Progressive Protection will also install a rootkit on victims computer.To remove this rootkit we will use HitmanPro.

  1. Download HitmanPro from the below link,then double click on it to start this program.
    Download HitmanProOfficial Sophos download. Free scan, free 30-day trial to remove threats.
    IF you are experiencing problems while trying to start HitmanPro, you can use the Force Breach mode.To start HitmanPro in Force Breach mode, hold down the left CTRL-key when you start HitmanPro and all non-essential processes are terminated, including the malware process. (How to start HitmanPro in Force Breach mode – Video)
  2. HitmanPro will start and you’ll need to follow the prompts (by clicking on the Next button) to start a system scan with this program.
    HitmanPro scanner
    HitmanPro installation
  3. HitmanPro will start scanning your computer for System Progressive Protection malicious files as seen in the image below.
    HitmanPro scan after System Progressive Protection
  4. Once the scan is complete,you’ll see a screen which will display all the infected files that this utility has detected, and you’ll need to click on Next to remove this malicious files.
    HitmanPro scan results
  5. Click Activate free license to start the free 30 days trial and remove all the malicious files from your computer.
    HitmanPro 30 days activation button

That’s it, System Progressive Protection should be completely removed from your computer!
We strongly recommend that you build up your malware defenses by starting a new thread in Security Configuration Wizard forum and keep installed on your machine all the on-demand scanners that we’ve used in this article to perform regular scans with them.

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If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove System Progressive Protection from your machine, please start a new thread in our Malware Removal Assistance forum.

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Join the discussion

250 comments

Share your experience or ask a question about this article.

Discussion

  1. Eric

    Thanks! Very well written and helpful. Seemed to work well as I no longer get the notifications and pop ups.

    However, I still have what appears to be some remnants of the program. When I run %ProgramData%, they show up as a 3K file and 5K icon in a folder named 64DDA88426FE5ED3000064DDAB6353.EXE. When i try to customize my taskbar, it lists SPP version 3.7.17 and has something called vxesmqoa.exe as options.

    Should I be concerned about those?

    Should I be concerned about these when MBAM, Hitman, and Emisoft all turn up nothing?

    ReplyReport
    1. Stelian PiliciTeam

      In reply to Eric

      Hello Eric,
      Like you’ve said this are most likely just some left over files from this infected.Try to delete them and if you can’t,then open MBAM and go to More Tools tab,from there select Run Tool,and browse to the file or folder that you want to remove….After you’ll reset your computer,FileAssasin should get rid of it!
      And for your peace of mind,you can perform a scan with the following tools:
      1.Run a scan with Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool
      Click here to download the Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool.

      1. Save it to your desktop.
      2. Double click the setup file to run it.
      3. Follow the onscreen prompts until it is installed
      4. Click the Options button (the ‘Gear’ icon), then make sure only the following are ticked:
        • System Memory
        • Hidden startup objects
        • Disk boot sectors
        • Local Disk (C:)
        • Also any other drives (Removable that you may have)
      5. Then click on Actions on the left hand side
      6. Click Select Action, then make sure both Disinfect and Delete if disinfection fails are ticked
      7. Click on Automatic Scan
      8. Now click the Start Scanning button, to run the scan
      9. After the scan is complete, close the program

      2.Run a scan with Eset Online Scanner.

      1. Download ESET Online Scanner utility.
        ESET Online Scanner Download Link (This link will automatically download ESET Online Scanner on your computer.)
      2. Double click on the Eset installer program (esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe).
      3. Check Yes, I accept the Terms of Use
      4. Click the Start button.
      5. Check Scan archives
      6. Push the Start button.
      7. ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
      8. When the scan completes, push Finish

      Stay safe!

      ReplyReport
  2. Kb

    I am an IT professional.. From one to another very well put together article. It helped me to clean a clients machine. Thanks Good Job!

    ReplyReport
  3. Lisa

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! I almost died when I saw the virus and I had no idea what to do. Your article was brilliant and worked a treat. Chameleon worked first time for me and I didn’t have the rootkit but I followed all three steps anyway and it’s all dandy now. I see some people have complained about the length of it but I didn’t care at all, it worked and got rid of the nasty thing so I’m a happy girl. Thanks again. :)

    ReplyReport
  4. Valerie

    I owe you big time ! I’m not a computer wiz and english is not my first language, but I was easily able to remove that virus from my computer with your clear and effective guide. Thanks !

    ReplyReport
  5. Sarah

    “Trying to update Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, please wait…” in the little black screen has been up for almost half an hour…does it always take this long? Please advise, thank you.

    ReplyReport
    1. Stelian PiliciTeam

      In reply to Sarah

      Hello Sarah,
      Can you please perform a scan with RogueKiller,then try to do again a scan with MBAM:

      1. Please download the latest official version of RogueKiller.
        RogueKiller Download Link (This link will automatically download RogueKiller on your computer)
      2. Double click on RogueKiller.exe to start this utility and then wait for the Prescan to complete.This should take only a few seconds and then you can click the Scan button to perform a system scan.
      3. After the scan has completed, press the Delete button to remove any malicious registry keys.
      ReplyReport
  6. Michel

    Thank you so much. I would never again poke fun at geeks ! I dont know if it’s your procedure which helped me because I used system restore from another profile than the infected one. But one thing is sure : reading your well documented website with all its various tools, I was SURE that the beast would be DONE. So I had my sunday afternoon hike with a relieved mood before fixing everything in half an hour. I launched the chameleon and it seemed to work at once. Should you create your own business I would expect it performed greatly !

    ReplyReport
  7. Lindsey

    After two days of trying to fix this , your guide was the ONLY thing that cleaned and properly fixed my system ! Thank you so so much! You are a genius and very kind to share your knowledge!

    ReplyReport
  8. Finbarr O'Callaghan

    Hi. Just like many of the people whom you have helped, and who have posted their appreciation here, I am very grateful to you. I live in The Gambia, a poor country in West Africa, and tomorrow will donate a days food to some local person, in your name, as you don’t have any place for me pay you. God bless you.

    ReplyReport
  9. Eugene

    Why this long winded approach?
    Shut down, boot up safe mode, then System Restore.
    Anybody tried this? Took me longer to write this comment than to remove the virus/malware.

    ReplyReport
    1. Stelian PiliciTeam

      In reply to Eugene

      Hello Eugene,
      System Restore will just revert your settings to a previous date,you still need to perform a system scan with Malwarebytes and HitmanPro to remove the malicious files.
      Stay safe!

      ReplyReport
  10. Jason

    I have booted my computer into safe mode with networking and downloaded registryfix.reg from the link. However, when I double click the downloaded file I receive a message asking which program to use to open the file rather than the Registry Editor dialouge box indicated in the picture below step 1 instructions. Please advise. Thank you.

    ReplyReport
    1. Stelian PiliciTeam

      In reply to Jason

      Hello Jason,
      1.Type regedit in RUN or start menu search box and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.
      2. Now click on File menu and select Import command.
      3.It’ll open browse dialog box where you can select the .REG file and it’ll merge the data into Windows Registry.
      Stay safe!

      ReplyReport
  11. DigitalMagick

    Worked like a treat. Progressive didn’t get a chance to rootkit my machine, I’m guessing because I was doing these steps less than 2 minutes after it first popped up. But I ran all 3 cleaners anyhow, just to be paranoid. (your never paranoid if you are right).
    Excellent article my friend.

    ReplyReport
  12. satheesh

    This is really helpful. my system was infected with virus, but these steps really helped to me to fix my system virus problem.

    you rock!!!

    ReplyReport
  13. John

    Stelian you are amazing. Thank you very much for your step by step guide. I can tell you that there are a great many stressers in this world we live in today and not having to worry about the costs and down time of getting this repaired by a pro only helps in reducing stress on all of us effected. Your selflessness in creating a quide for people to freely access speaks volumes to your character and we all can’t thank you enough.

    Thank you so very much.

    ReplyReport
  14. Haaris Khan

    Recently i had this problem in one of my friends PC What i did was Pressed F2 key to go for BIOS Boot Setting and Changed the Computer Manufacturers Date and Time.
    The System Progressive Protection had disabled all the executable functions which i enabled once again And saved the new settings once again and restarted my PC and kept my PC for Full scan with my Antivirus.
    The problem was resolved.
    Just have it a TRY…….

    ReplyReport
  15. Gordon Johnson

    Everything was going smoothly until I got to HitmanPro. It did not come up with the option of ‘Activate free lisence’. Suggestions?

    ReplyReport
    1. Stelian PiliciTeam

      In reply to Gordon Johnson

      Hello Gordon,
      HitmanPro comes with a free 30 days license for Home users so if you are using a corporate laptop then you wob’t get this free trial. Anyway,let’s see if we can get rid of some of them using the below software:
      1.Run a scan with Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool
      Click here to download the Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool.

      1. Save it to your desktop.
      2. Double click the setup file to run it.
      3. Follow the onscreen prompts until it is installed
      4. Click the Options button (the ‘Gear’ icon), then make sure only the following are ticked:
        • System Memory
        • Hidden startup objects
        • Disk boot sectors
        • Local Disk (C:)
        • Also any other drives (Removable that you may have)
      5. Then click on Actions on the left hand side
      6. Click Select Action, then make sure both Disinfect and Delete if disinfection fails are ticked
      7. Click on Automatic Scan
      8. Now click the Start Scanning button, to run the scan
      9. After the scan is complete, close the program

      2.Run a scan with Eset Online Scanner.

      1. Download ESET Online Scanner utility.
        ESET Online Scanner Download Link (This link will automatically download ESET Online Scanner on your computer.)
      2. Double click on the Eset installer program (esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe).
      3. Check Yes, I accept the Terms of Use
      4. Click the Start button.
      5. Check Scan archives
      6. Push the Start button.
      7. ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
      8. When the scan completes, push Finish

      NEXT,please re-run a scan with HitmanPro and post the log or a screenshot here and I’ll give you instructions on how to remove the left over files.
      Good luck!

      ReplyReport
      1. Gordon Johnson

        In reply to Stelian Pilici

        Thanks, Stelian. Finally got back to working on this and all went well. I’ve had no problems since going through your instructions even though the last step didn’t seem to work for me, but I’ve completed the additional steps – all seems to be clean. Thank you so much for your help. You have saved me much frustration and I’m sure many $$. Greatly appreciated.

        Report
  16. belinda

    Thanks so much I am with Jaime you need a paypal donation button. Much much appreciated.

    ReplyReport
  17. Jeff

    Thanks and loads of good karma to you. The folks at Spyware doctor were no help at all. You walked me straight through it with no glitches.

    ReplyReport
  18. Carly

    Thank you so, so much for your help! I am not very computer literate and was able to pretty easily remove the System Progressive virus. I can’t explain how much I appreciate your help. I don’t even know how I got the virus, and was completely stressed out two hours ago. Now everything is fixed! Thanks!!!!

    ReplyReport
  19. Mike

    You saved me a lot of money to fix a dumb problem I caused. I really appreciate everything and please if you ever need help with marketing or packaging shoot me an email it’s the least I can do!

    ReplyReport

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Written by

Stelian

Stelian leverages over a decade of cybersecurity expertise to lead malware analysis and removal, uncover scams, and educate people. His experience provides insightful analysis and valuable perspective.

61,116 articlesWriting since 2011
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