ProtectingTool Removal Guide
Do you know what ProtectingTool is?
DESCRIPTION
ProtectingTool is a ferocious rogue anti-spyware program that uses popups and alert messages to scare computer users. ProtectingTool does not provide any kind of “protection” because it does just the opposite. ProtectingTool related to SafePCTool and CleanPCTool. ProtectingTool resembles SafePCTool’s program interface. ProtectingTool may be installed through a Trojan infection from a downloaded video codec or malicious website.
ProtectingTool has its own website ProtectingTool.com which closely resembles the website for SafePCTools. It is recommended that users avoid ProtectingTool.com at all costs. ProtectingTool.com is a malicious website that promotes rogue software.
In non-techie terms: ProtectingTool is very similar to SafePCTool and uses the same illicit tactics to take money from you for a bogus program. ProtectingTool cannot be trusted and computer users should not download or purchase ProtectingTool under any circumstances.
Aliases: ProtectingTool, Protecting Tool, ProtectingTool.com
ProtectingTool Automatic Removal Instructions
This automatic removal method is for non-techie computer users. If you’re too lazy to learn about spyware removal or how to access sensitive files in your computer, then this is the method for you.
Before you start: Print or bookmark these instructions because you’ll have to reboot into Safe Mode. Also back up your computer in case you make a mistake.
- Download and save SmitFraudFix to your desktop.
- Restart your computer in Safe Mode (how to do safe mode). Once the
desktop appears, double click on the SmitfraudFix.exe on your desktop. - After the credits screen, you’ll see a menu. Select the option number 2, which is ‘Clean (safe mode recommended)’, and then
press Enter to delete infect files. - SmitFraudFix will begin cleaning your computer and take a series of cleanup processes. When the process is over, it will automatically begin the Disk Cleanup program.
- Once the Disk Cleanup program is complete, you will be prompted with the message ‘Registry cleaning - Do you want to clean the registry’. Answer Y (Yes) and hit Enter. Reboot your computer.
- SmitFraudFix will now check if wininet.dll is infected. SmitFraudFix will ask you whether to replace the infected file (if there’s any) ‘Replace infected
file?’ Answer by typing Y (Yes) and hit Enter. - Reboot your computer to complete the cleaning process.
- After reboot, a Notepad screen may appear containing a log of all the files
removed from your computer. If it doesn’t appear, a file will be created called
rapport.txt in the root of your drive, (Local Disk C:). - Restart your computer in Safe Mode (how to do safe mode).
- Go to C:\Windows\Temp, click Edit, click Select All, press DELETE, and then
click Yes to confirm that you want all the items to go to the Recycle Bin. - Go to C:\Documents and Settings\[LISTED USER]\Local Settings\Temp, click Edit, click Select All, press DELETE, and then click Yes to confirm that
you want all the items to go to the Recycle Bin. - Reboot your computer back to normal mode. Go to Windows Update and download all critical updates.
ProtectingTool Manual Removal Instructions
This manual removal method is for techie computer users. ProtectingTool manual removal may be difficult and time consuming to remove. There’s no guarantee that ProtectingTool will be removed completely. So read the ProtectingTool removal steps carefully and good luck.
Before you start: Close all programs and Internet browsers. Also back up your computer in case you make a mistake and your computer stops working.
- Uninstall ProtectingTool Program
Click on Start > Settings > Control Panel > Double-click on Add/Remove Programs. Search for and uninstall ProtectingTool if found. - To unregister ProtectingTool registry keys (view registry keys removal steps)
Go to Start > Run > type regedit > press OK.
Edit the value (on the right pane) by right-clicking on it and selecting the Modify option. Select the Delete option.
Search and delete these ProtectingTool registry keys: - If your homepage has been changed, go to Start > Control Panel > Internet Options > click on the General > click Use Default under Home Page. Add the your desired default homepage, then click Apply > click OK. Open a new web browser to check that you have your desired default homepage.
- Remove ProtectingTool Directories.
To find ProtectingTool directories, go to Start > My Computer > Local Disk (C:) > Program Files > Show the contents of this folder.Search and delete the following ProtectingTool directories:
%ProgramFiles%\Common Files\ProtectingTool
%ProgramFiles%\ProtectingTool
Right-click on the ProtectingTool folder and select Delete.
A message will appear saying ‘Are you sure you want to remove the folder ProtectingTool and move all its contents to the Recycle Bin?’, click Yes.
Another message will appear saying ‘Renaming, moving or deleting ProtectingTool could make some programs not work. Are you sure you want to do this?’, click Yes. - To remove ProtectingTool icons on your Desktop, drag and drop them to the Recycle Bin.
You’ve completed the ProtectingTool manual removal instructions!
I hope this article has helped you solve your ProtectingTool problems. If you want to contribute to this article, post your comment below.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes. By using this information you agree to be bound by the disclaimer. There’s no guarantee that ProtectingTool will be completely removed from your computer. Seek professional help if your computer continues to experience problems.
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