Windows Pro Web Helper
Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are assessment reports for different malware threats which have been collected and analyzed by our research team. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards evaluate and rank threats using several metrics including real-world and potential risk factors, trends, frequency, prevalence, and persistence. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are updated regularly based on our research data and metrics and are useful for a wide range of computer users, from end users seeking solutions to remove malware from their systems to security experts analyzing threats.
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards display a variety of useful information, including:
Ranking: The ranking of a particular threat in EnigmaSoft’s Threat Database.
Severity Level: The determined severity level of an object, represented numerically, based on our risk modeling process and research, as explained in our Threat Assessment Criteria.
Infected Computers: The number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular threat detected on infected computers as reported by SpyHunter.
See also Threat Assessment Criteria.
Threat Level: | 100 % (High) |
Infected Computers: | 2 |
First Seen: | May 4, 2012 |
OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
On a superficial look, anyone can mistake Windows Pro Web Helper for a real security application. However, Windows Pro Web Helper is actually a malware infection that is disguised as an anti-virus application. Malware like Windows Pro Web Helper are known as rogue anti-virus programs. These are used to steal computer users' money by convincing them to purchase a fake anti-virus program. Windows Pro Web Helper is one more member of a large family of rogue anti-virus programs known as Rogue:FakeVimes.
Malware applications in the FakeVimes family of rogue anti-virus programs have been active since 2009, and have been updated gradually since then. Because of this infection's long history, PC security researchers are very familiar with how it works, meaning that most security programs can deal easily with malware infections such as Windows Pro Web Helper. However, malware programs in the FakeVimes family released in 2012 often include a rootkit component in the ZeroAccess or Sirefef family of malware. This rootkit component creates a hidden file system that hides the Windows Pro Web Helper infection and its associated malware. Because of this, the considerably harder task of removing the rootkit infection must be carried out before the Windows Pro Web Helper rogue anti-virus program can be removed.
Table of Contents
Staying Safe from a Windows Pro Web Helper Infection
Protecting yourself from Windows Pro Web Helper means you also should protect your computer from all of its many known clones. Examples of these include such fake anti-malware applications as Virus Melt, Presto TuneUp, Fast Antivirus 2009, Extra Antivirus, Windows Security Suite, Smart Virus Eliminator, Packed.Generic.245, Volcano Security Suite, Windows Enterprise Suite, Enterprise Suite, Additional Guard, PC Live Guard, Live PC Care, Live Enterprise Suite, Security Antivirus, My Security Wall, CleanUp Antivirus, Smart Security, Windows Protection Suite, Windows Work Catalyst.
Although such programs are named differently, there are virtually no differences from one to the other besides slight changes to each rogue anti-virus program's name. All of these fake anti-virus programs carry out the same scam. Basically, they will pretend to scan the victim's computer system, claim numerous false positives, and then use aggressive tactics to convince the victim to 'upgrade' to a nonexistent full version of Windows Pro Web Helper.
Paying for Windows Pro Web Helper is not a good idea, considering that none of the programs in the FakeVimes family of malware has real anti-malware capabilities. Instead, you can trick Windows Pro Web Helper into thinking that you have 'upgraded' by entering the registration code 0W000-000B0-00T00-E0020. This registration code can stop Windows Pro Web Helper from using its aggressive approach (mainly in the form of multiple annoying error messages) to convince you to pay for this useless fake anti-virus. While this will not remove Windows Pro Web Helper, it will definitely help in gaining access to a real security program and using it to remove Windows Pro Web Helper and its associated rootkit component.
SpyHunter Detects & Remove Windows Pro Web Helper
Windows Pro Web Helper Video
Tip: Turn your sound ON and watch the video in Full Screen mode.
File System Details
# | File Name | MD5 |
Detections
Detections: The number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular threat detected on
infected computers as reported by SpyHunter.
|
---|---|---|---|
1. | Protector-yjpo.exe | a07cb63d362c4d996f6551696c98621c | 1 |
2. | Protector-raub.exe | 0fe04be252ef427ce0eda2d563dcbb82 | 1 |
3. | %AppData%\Protector-{RANDOM 4 CHARACTERS}.exe | ||
4. | %AppData%\Protector-{RANDOM 3 CHARACTERS}.exe | ||
5. | %AppData%\NPSWF32.dll | ||
6. | %StartMenu%\Programs\Windows Pro Web Helper.lnk |